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About Us
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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 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 Peele
for the London 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. Albeit many of the Societies are law
enforcement orientated, 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."
In 2002 several Gaelic-American Law Enforcement personnel in Maine gathered with the goal of forming a society and
fraternal organization for Maine Law Enforcement Personnel of Gaelic Decent. Our Society is dedicated to recognizing and
promoting the accomplishments and contributions of our ancestors and fellow Gaelic-Americans to the law enforcement
community. We’re also devoted to developing the spirit of fraternalism and fellowship among our members, while
promoting positive public sentiment towards the law enforcement community.
As a young society formed on the 19th of September 2002, we hold a promising future and as the membership grows we
hope to pursue ascertaining our own building, forming a pipe and drum corps, and more, the possibilities of our society
are endlessly promising.
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Marc A. Montminy (2002) Jeremy F. Harris (2007)
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