A Foundation of Law & Order
A strong foundation for law and order was built as Colton entered the
20th century. In 1884, the last convict was hanged in San Bernardino for
a Colton homicide stemming from a love triangle. The century cost the
lives of two officers in police shootings during 1927. In 1937, the city
purchased two police cars and two motorcycles. Technology, as primitive
as it was, allowed the placement of radios in both of those cars. The
police now required a chief, an assistant chief, 2 sergeants, 2 motor
officers, and 4 patrolmen.