From the History of the New York City Police Department 

Jacob Hays was then the main safeguard of the city during business house. He was accustomed too the rounds with a few Constables, suppressing tumults and enforcing ordinances. The Watchmen found t no easy task to cope with crime and criminals. The city at this time was not remarkable for the peaceable and orderly disposition of the naturally vicious and turbulent portion of the inhabitants. Gangs of rowdies not infrequently indulged in a series of serious faction fights, and, growing tired of this, they began to maltreat peaceable citizens. Robberies, burglaries and general thievery were alarmingly on the increase, and this criminal activity was not in any manner counterbalanced by a corresponding energy on the par of the city's legally constituted guardians. The Watchmen of the period stood in wholesome terror of the lawbreakers they were supposed to keep within proper subjection. The constables were but a mere corporal's guard, but, under the skillful and fearless leadership of High Constable Hays, they did much towards intimidating the higher order of the culprits, who organize crime and employ other to execute their plans. The High Constable's duties were more in the line of detecting than preventing crime, and his services in this respect can not be over-estimated.

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