Gardner was incorporated as a town in 1785. At the first town meeting that same year, Elijah Wilder was appointed the towns first constable. Gardner used constables to keep the peace for the first 101 years of its existence. These constables operated out of their homes until the Town Hall was built in 1860, in what is now the Municipal Parking Lot located at the Corner of Central Street and Elm Street. The basement of the Town Hall was used as a lock-up and tramp room. As Gardner's population began to grow, the center of Gardner moved from Uptown (rotary at Central, Elm and Green Streets) to West Gardner Square. A fire Station was built on Lake Street where the Heritage Visitors Center is located now. A lock-up was built in the rear of this station and a "police office" was set up on Pleasant Street on the second floor of what is now the Grinder Gourmet. This same year, 1886, the town of Gardner established the Police Department. In 1887, Henry P. Carney was appointed as the first Chief. In 1904, the lock up and office of the Police Department were moved to the Old Courthouse building at the corner of City Hall Ave. and Pleasant Streets where the Colonial Co-operative Bank is now located. This site served as Police Headquarters until 1928 when a new station was built at 119 Pleasant Street, the present home of City Hall Annex. In 1988 Police Headquarters were moved to 31 City Hall Avenue, which at one time housed an auto dealership.The first motorized vehicle used by the police was a motor cycle and side car, introduced in 1922 and used until 1929, when the first automobile was purchased.Two way communications were pressed into service in 1938.

The Men and women of the gardner police department are dedicated to providing the citizens of Gardner courteous and prompt service .Our motto, "with pride and integrity" are not words emblazoned on our vehicles and stationary,but rather the summary of a community policing philosophy embedded in our hearts.

Throughout the years , this department has strived to work with its citizenry,community leaders, business owners and the seperate and several city and state agencies ,in an effort to provide services dedicated to the needs of the city of gardner.Your city,our city.Together we can make things done.