Cristine Roseborough
Instructor: Gary Napier
CJS/250 – Introduction to security
Assignment: Biography of Allan Pinkerton Write a 500- to 700-word biography of Allan Pinkerton focusing on the overlap between private and public security in the career of Pinkerton and the development of the Pinkerton Detective Agency. Include the following:

* A history of Pinkerton’s career as a law enforcement official * The major events involving the Pinkerton Detective Agency during Pinkerton’s lifetime * The impact of the Agency’s innovations on law enforcement and the private security industry

Allan Pinkerton was born August 25th 1819 in Glasgow, Scotland. He died July 1st 1884 at the age 64 in Chicago, Illinois. Allan Pinkerton was a Scottish American detective and spy, best known for inventing the “Pinkerton National Detective Agency". He was looked at as a new pioneer and leader in the criminal investigation field and was acknowledged for his use full donations to law enforcement and private security practices. (Hunt, 2009)

In 1842 Allan Pinkerton had no choice but to move to America. Allan Pinkerton and his wife Joan Pinkerton who also died in 1884 settled in Chicago where Pinkerton worked as a barrel-marker. Not on purpose Allan Pinkerton discovered the lair of a gang of counterfeiters and had them arrested. From this day Pinkerton was appointed as the first detective in Chicago. In 1850 he partnered with Chicago attorney Edward Rucker in forming the North-Western Police Agency, which later became Pinkerton & Co, and finally Pinkerton National Detective Agency, still in existence today as Pinkerton Consulting and Investigations, a subsidiary of Securitas AB. Beside the fact that Allan Pinkerton was a great crime fighter he was also a committed abolitionist. The Pinkerton code is created and have some rules such as accept no bribes, never compromise with criminals, partner with local law enforcement agencies, refuse divorce cases or cases that initiate scandals, turn down reward money, never raise fees without client’s pre-knowledge and keep clients apprised on an on-going basis. In 1853 Pinkerton Detective Agency works with law enforcement to arrest criminals anywhere in the country.

In 1855 Pinkerton specializes in protection railroad shipment for several mid-western railways. In 1856 Kate Warne is hired by Pinkerton and she became the first female detective in the United States. In 1861 in the hour of peril, Pinkerton reveals and stops an assassination conspiracy on the life of Abraham Lincoln and conducts him safely through the ranks of treason to his first inauguration. In 1861 through 1865 during the civil war, Allan Pinkerton assists as head of the Union Intelligence Service which was the forerunner of the United States secret service. Allan Pinkerton recruits the Black intelligence agent name John Scobell. In 1866 Pinkerton agent called to locate and arrest the offenders who robbed the train. In 1870’s Allan Pinkerton and his agents become famous during their relentless chase of Jesse James. The Pinkerton agency begins the practice of clipping and filing newspaper stories for reference in investigations. Pinkerton’s collection of mug shots and methodology develops the first criminal database. In 1871 Pinkerton guards were hired to prevent prowling after the great fire in Chicago. In 1884 the famous Allan Pinkerton died and his agency was taken over by his two sons, Robert and William.
In 1890’s Pinkerton National Detective Agency had 2,000 active agents and 30.000 reserves causing the state of Ohio to outlaw the agency, due to the possibility of it being hired out as a “private army” or military. In 1899 the agency attack disband Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch. In 1906 Pinkerton agency expanded and now have 20 officers throughout the United States of America. In 1907 the agency was inherited by Allan Pinkerton ll, the grandson of Allan Pinkerton. In 1960 the corporate headquarters moved to downtown New York City; there were 45 offices nationwide. In 1968 Mona Lisa painting to guard the painting. In 1969 the agency was created in Hong Kong now the doors are open throughout Asia. In 1970 the trademark “Pinkerton’s” was registered March 3 1970. In 1991 Pinkerton launches international expansion plan. In 1998 Pinkerton effectively clears 431 emigrants from Indonesia during the Asian currency crisis. In 1999 Pinkerton acquired by Securitas AB, one of the biggest security services provider in the world. Still till this day Allan Pinkerton services and great security skills are still being used and trained to other security guards to get the job done.

http://www.pinkerton.com/history