The kind of police Americans knew in the early nineteenth century were descended from the medieval police of England -- a constable who patrolled the city and charged fees for his services. The constable system prevailed until cities grew larger and permanent police were hired. Until 1853, New York relied entirely on constables; Boston until 1859, and Philadelphia 1856 (Pennsylvania still elects state constables).

Constables are active today in many states including: Texas, Tennessee, Arizona, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, Vermont, and New York. Source: Samuel Walker, Popular Justice: A History of American Criminal Justice