The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service had its humble beginnings in 1856 when Francis Hughes and several other ex-soldiers were sent to the community to keep order. While most of these men returned home the following year, Hughes remained and within two years was formally appointed a magistrate and High Constable.
“Thus the quiet community on the shores of the St. Mary’s River had a police force, just 20 years after the formation of a force in Toronto and a decade before Canada would become a nation.” (Guardians of Peace: A History of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Force)
The Police Force was officially formed when the community of Sault Ste. Marie was incorporated as a municipality in 1871. Explore the pages below to learn more about the history of Sault Police.
