What did gold rush police look like?

Answer 1

Gold rush police often resembled a mix of lawmen and militia, typically wearing practical clothing suited for rugged conditions, such as sturdy boots, trousers, and worn jackets. They often carried firearms and badges or insignia to signify their authority. In many cases, these officers were not formally trained and were instead local volunteers or miners who took on the role to maintain order in the chaotic mining camps. Their primary duties included managing disputes, preventing theft, and dealing with the influx of people and lawlessness that characterized gold rush towns.