A Time-Honored Tradition

In the late 1800s, the New Orleans police force began holding inspections. At times annually, and at other times semiannually, the inspections were usually held at police headquarters at Elk Place at the changing of the seasons, which also meant the changing of the police uniforms between summer and winter attire. 

Police commissioners, city officials, and often the mayor were present for the inspections, which consisted of drills, marching, and appearance checks. Ceremonies to bestow medals for gallant conduct on the job were sometimes held during the inspections as well. 

The day would include a parade, most often from Elk Place to City Hall to salute officials and ending in Lafayette Square. The public would turn out to cheer on them on along the route. The police brass band would lead, and the patrolmen, mounted police, and their equipment would follow. In the early years, this equipment consisted mostly of patrol wagons, although over time, bicycles, motorcycles, a mortuary wagon, and automobiles were added. 

In the early 1900s, an annual memorial mass to honor members of the police and fire departments who had died during the preceding year was added to the day’s events. Held after the inspection and parade, the mass was heavily attended by both first responders and the community.

New Orleans police parade down the 600 block of Canal St. in November 1916, debuting the winter uniforms consisting of long blue-coats, white gloves, and heavy helmets. In the summer they wore short khaki lightweight coats and white tasseled helmets. Due to New Orleans’ fickle weather during some years, the winter uniforms would debut for the day and then be retired again until the temperature cooled.

The inspection and parade were paused from 1918-1921, after the assassination of Police Superintendent James Reynolds.  And in 1942, the parade was discontinued due to WWII, and never reinstated. Instead, the police force would line up on Chartres near Jackson Square for inspection, and then head into St. Louis Cathedral for services. 

In 1952, women joined the annual inspection. Though they were called policewomen, they were classified as civil service employees and assigned only to the traffic department; they weren’t considered part of the police force at that time. The first woman to attend the police academy wouldn’t graduate for another two years. In 1953, the Junior Safety Patrol was also included in the inspection.

The annual First Responders Inspection and Memorial Mass continue to this day.