Law Enforcement In Colonial America

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Law enforcement in colonial America was similar to the system that was found in England at the time. A night watch was established to guard the town against crime. Sheriffs and constables were appointed. These people were responsible for maintaining order and peace in the towns. Like night watches, in the south there were slave patrols. Slave patrols were responsible for capturing and punishing runaway slaves. Policing on the western frontier was different. There were marshals and police forces similar to those in the north. Groups of vigilantes were formed by volunteer citizens to keep order in the settlements. In the 1800s law enforcement changed due to the the rise in immigration and industrialization. Due to the changes American cities

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