As we journey along in our everyday life, we are attracted to things that are pleasing. We seek comfort and joy and try to avoid unpleasantness. We strive to be our best and we make every effort to be kind to those in need. Some people are very good at this positive approach while other people perhaps a little less. Regardless of the outcome or the way you live each of your days, we are a civilization and we must follow the rules.
Every so often, we hear about a person that not only impresses us with their good nature but far exceeds those expectations. We admire them from afar, some of us perhaps offer kind words while many just envy that lucky soul. It certainly takes work to survive the challenges each day presents, and exceeding is not as common for many.
Today, I look back at the history of the Concord Police Department and recognize an individual that was indeed good at what he did. He enjoyed his work so much that he kept working and was recognized as the oldest police officer on active duty in New England. An honor bestowed upon very few, but such is the case with John Rand.
When our little town first organized a formal law enforcement organization, the need was real. The crimes by todays standards were minimal but on occasion some really terrible crimes were committed. A typical Concord police officer in the mid 1800s would be walking a foot beat and checking to make sure the merchants locked their doors. There was always trouble brewing for the officers on a Friday night after the quarrymen, railroad men and others were paid their weekly wages.
On payday, the people would wander down to Main Street and spend some time in the popular taverns and drinking some of their favorite spirits. The taverns offered a respite from the hard labor during the week and a chance to engage in lively conversations and debates. As the hard cider flowed, a fight might break out and many a good Irishmen can’t just stand on the sideline. The police would be called and the brawling stopped by the Concord police officers toting their billy clubs. I have often wondered who derived greater enjoyment from these early scuffles with the law… the culprits or the police officers.
Concord Police Department was officially organized on March 10, 1853, with the city charter. In addition to breaking up fights, the first Concord city marshals engaged in other activities such as collecting unpaid taxes due to the city until 1859. As the need increased, so did the number of police officers assigned to the police department. Our local history tells us that there were no more than nine police officers in Concord prior to 1883 and the police were located on Main Street across from the present day Phenix Hall. After 1883, the number of police officers continually increased with the addition of many special police officers and railroad police to mange the criminal activity involving the railroad facility. John Rand joined the Concord Police Department during the latter part of the 1800s. He was a regular Concord patrolman until April 16, 1891, when he was promoted to the rank of Captain.
Three years later, Rand was promoted to the rank of Concord Deputy Marshal. Many people felt Rand should be the Concord Marshal but he was often quoted saying he would do a better job working on the streets with his patrolmen. It was on June 27, 1902, when Rand was appointed the Concord Marshal controlling the Concord Police Department and all of the patrol officers. He succeeded outgoing Marshal G. Scott Locke when he resigned.
Rand remained in this position until June 30, 1909, when he decided he had worked his decades and would retire as the Concord Marshall. As he contemplated retirement, he decided he wasn’t quite ready to turn in his Concord Police Badge.
Upon his official retirement as the Concord Police Marshal, he was again sworn in as a Concord Special Police Officer, a job that he enjoyed in his early years with the Concord Police Department. Rand would spend the rest of his years as a special officer assigned to the Contoocook River Park as well as other amusement functions around the city of Concord.
At the time of his death in 1913, Chief Rand was still an active special officer at a very advanced age. Commonly known as the oldest police officer on active duty in New England, he answered his last call.