The police force was dominantly Irish, and the official investigation of the riot indicated the police helped the rioters: "… it appears that charges of unprovoked and most brutal clubbing have been made against policemen, with the result that they were reprimanded or fined a day's pay and were yet retained upon the force."
The police force during the time was primarily comprised of Irish immigrants, which influenced its dynamics and operations. An official inquiry into a significant riot revealed that some police officers were involved in aiding the rioters, raising serious concerns about their conduct. Reports surfaced detailing allegations of excessive force by the police, which prompted minimal disciplinary actions, such as reprimands or fines.
Despite these accusations of brutality, the implicated officers remained on the police force, suggesting a systemic issue within the institution. This situation reflects not only the challenges of law enforcement but also the broader social tensions of the period, where the line between upholding the law and participating in civil disorder was blurred.
