Saint Paul Park Police History
by Terrance P "Terry" Carroll
Saint Paul Police Historical Society
Originally published in the January 2022 issue of the Saint Paul Police Retirement Association newsletter (Volume 23, Issue 1). Immediate Past President of the SPPRA, Terry Carroll is also a charter member of the Saint Paul Police Historical Society
In 1892, with a growing population, an expanding park system and City Police stretched thin, the Saint Paul Park Board decided to hire their own police officers.
At the time, the job was by direct appointment; no tests required. Two officers were hired at a salary of $50 a month to patrol the parks from May to November, and with that the Park Police was created. In addition to the commissioned officers, there were usually a few "specials" (police reserves) and watchmen on the grounds. As the park system continued to grow and playgrounds and parkways were added, more patrolmen were added with year-round coverage.
A Saint Paul Police officer could transfer to the Park Police by direct appointment, but a Park Police officer was required to test for the City Police job. Some officers ended up transferring from one body to the other and back again. Of the officers that transferred from the Park Police to the City, many received high level promotions and/or appointments over the following years, including that of Deputy Chief Donald J. Blakely and Chief of Police William W. McCutcheon Jr., who both transferred from the Park Police to the City Police in January of 1954.
Historically, the Park Police was managed by a Park Police Sergeant. The first was William S. McIntire, appointed Park Police Patrolman in May of 1897. A year later he was promoted to Sergeant. The last was William T. Ball Jr., who resigned from the City Police to become a Sergeant in the Park Police in October of 1955.
Albert J. Cunnien, who left the City Police for the Park Police in August of 1924, was fatally injured on a police motorcycle after being forced off the roadway while in the pursuit of a motor vehicle in Phalen Park in July of 1925. Officer Cunnien is the only Park Police officer to die in the line of duty. Less than a month prior to his death, he had distinguished himself by the capture single handed of an armed "highwayman". For this achievement, Cunnien was to receive a promotion in just a few weeks.
Historic Park Police Hq. & Streetcar Station
Located in Como Park on the
N.E. Corner of Horton Ave. & N. Lexington Pkwy.
In 1970, the Mayor and City Council abolished the Park Police, transferring all officers to the City Police. Making the move effective in January of 1971 were Sergeants William T. Ball Jr. and Mario P. Ricci, as well as Officers Terrance P. Carroll, Robert G. Dusek, Donald G. Fischer, John C. Gratzek, Arthur A. Hohenwald, Leon G. Klein, Arthur R. Mathison, Donald N. McAdams, Richard A. Ruedy, William H. Van Ort, Richard P. Weisman and Arthur V. Wells.
Additional historical information on the Park System can be found in "History of the Police and Fire Departments of the Twin Cities, 1899" on our website's SPPD History page.
SPPHS Historian Ed Steenberg Contributed to this Report