History

History of the Altona Police Service

Altona celebrated its 100^th anniversary in 1995 indicating that it become an official village in 1895, but it wasn’t until 1919 that the village leaders began making public safety a priority.

The history of the Altona Police Service traces back to the early 20th century when the Village Board established one of its first laws, a curfew for individuals under 16 years old. Initially, the night watchman, responsible for lighting lanterns and enforcing curfew, was later succeeded by the first police constable in 1919. Over the decades, various constables took on the role, handling diverse duties from lamp lighting to truancy enforcement. Notable changes occurred during World War II, the 60's with bicycle registration, and the 70's with a policing agreement with Gretna. In the late 90's, improved conditions and pay increased the police force's stability, while the 2008 policing agreement with Plum Coulee marked a recent development in the Altona Police Service's century-long history, which has seen numerous changes, advancements in training, equipment, and policing methods over the years.

Download this full historical brief (prepared in 2020, updated in 2022) for more information