In 1638 John Vincent was elected the first Constable. After Vincent, the Constable in 1639 was George Allen, their duties not defined.

When Sandwich was fully accepted as a Town at the court of June 1639, the first two deputies were John Vincent and Richard Bourne, who were then commencing their long course of public service.

In 1655 William Bassett was elected a constable.

In 1837 the town of Sandwich had a trial for the illegal sale of liquor - 3 barrels were seized including gin, rum, and cherry rum, The constable was ordered to split the barrels and empty the contents into the creek. This produced great excitement down stream as many men lined the banks and were seen taking multiple monstrous drafts. It was reported that there were "Many lively souls that night!"

In 1848 there was an absence of a police force.

In 1860 the Police Chief lead the Fourth of July parade (the name was not listed in the town report)

In 1863 Seth O. Ellis was sworn in as Police Officer on June 11, 1863 and was an officer until March 1, 1864.

In 1865 the town of Sandwich voted to build a lockup to house temporary violators for overnight or a few nights. The lockup was located on River Street. This building was solidly built with heavy planks both inside and outside. It had two chimneys and two rooms.

In 1880 there was a call to the governor for extra police to help contain the Italian laborers (who were brought in to work on the Cape Cod Canal) who were left without money or housing when the contractor and straw boss disappeared. The town provided food for the Italian laborers and they were shipped back to Italy.

In 1915 the town voted to discontinue and remove the old town lockup on River Street.

In 1941 a police department with a cruiser was authorized. Gilbert F. Smith was Chief of Police at that time. He earned an annual salary of $3,700.00. He retired in 1955. The police department was located at his house on Main Street.

In 1948 a second police officer was added to the police force. This was Joseph Milliken. He worked until 1949. Then William A Winsor was hired. He worked until 1955.

In 1949 William E. Foster was hired. He became Chief of Police in 1955 when Gilbert Smith retired. They earned an annual salary of $3,100.00.

In 1955 the first Police Department was built The building was actually the Sandwich Fire Department (and still is), but the town put the Police Department in a small section of the Fire Department.

In 1969 the Sandwich Police Association was formed. click here to view document.

In 1973 the Sandwich Police Department was built next to the Sandwich Fire Station. Chief of Police at that time was Robert D. Whearty. He retired in 1997.

Click here for history of the Sandwich Police Cruiser