Our History

In 1857 the Hastings City Council passed an Ordinance that became law on August 22nd, 1857, establishing a “City Marshal” who, according to the ordinance, “shall from time to time nominate to the City Council such suitable persons to act as police officers or watchmen as the peace and good order of the City may require. Provided that no person or watchman shall act as policeman or watchman until his nomination is confirmed by the City Council.”

The following year, on May 11th, 1858, Minnesota is admitted to the Union as the 32nd state. A new City Charter is enacted and all City ordinances previously passed when Minnesota was a “territory” are repealed and reissued upon Minnesota becoming a state.

On July 8th, 1858, the Hastings City Council passes Ordinance Number 3 establishing a “City Police Force”, eliminating the City Marshal position.

Officers were to receive no more than $2.00 per day (later changed to no more than $1.50 per day) for twelve hours active patrol in a day, and “except in cases of emergency as peace and good order may require” the Mayor could appoint only two “suitable persons” to act as policemen.