MAINE POLICE EMERALD SOCIETY

Our Roots

Some of the oldest municipal police forces in America were formed early in the 1800’s coinciding with the height of the Irish Potato Famine that lead to a dramatic increase in the number of Irish immigrating into the United States. Due to the nature of the position, few others wanted to work under the dangerous conditions, yet the prospect of a steady civil service job lured thousands of Irish-Americans into law enforcement making them the majority that founded and laid the groundwork for almost every early Police Department. Probably the oldest and most notable Irish influence is the playing of bagpipes at the funerals of fallen officers, award ceremonies, parades, and various events where respect and honor are celebrated. This tradition continues even today and is embraced by all law enforcement officers regardless of their ancestry.
One of the first Emerald Societies was started in Boston, Massachusetts in 1973 by the Boston Police Department. It is fitting considering that the Boston Police Department is the oldest law enforcement agency in the United States. The Boston Police Department was officially established in 1854 and was structured after a model designed by Sir Robert Peel for the Metropolitan Police Force of London, England.
Since 1973 Emerald Societies have formed around the United States and Canada. Most of the Emerald Societies that are formed today revolve around the public safety profession. Many of the Emerald Societies are law enforcement orientated, but many are geared towards firefighters, medical personnel, corrections officers, and some encompass all the above into one society. Regardless of which way a society is orientated they share one common goal, “to instill and preserve Gaelic culture and heritage amongst their members.”