Office of City Marshal

Thomas Cox oath of Office

Thomas Cox Bond

certificate of election to position of Marshal

Office of Marshal

The process of becoming a City Marshal for Los Angeles required an open election with the person with the most votes winning the position. Afterwards, they were sworn in and gave an oath of office, provided a bond and received a certificate certifying they won the election for the position of City Marshal. These particular documents are of the second City Marshal, Thomas Cox, replacing Sam Whitting who served only a few months. Cox also only lasted a few months too, mostly due to the lack of city funds to pay him. Cox took care of the city prisoners as one of his duties and submitted a reimbursement bill to the city council for maintaining the prisoners and the City Council promptly rejected his invoice. They noted the jail belonged to the County therefore he needed to see the County Board of supervisors for reimbursement. During his short term, Cox saw the need for a full time paid police and recommended a city ordinance for a police force that would include one captain and two deputies with a $100.00 monthly salary. The oath of office in this series of documents is of Alexander Gibson, the third City Marshal.