A resolution of the Third Municipality Council passed on April 20,1837 set the size of the municipality's Guard at forty-five men and seven officers, including a captain, three chiefs of post, and three assistant chiefs. This force was divided among a main post, a post in the Third District, and one in the Fourth District, extending to the shores of Lake Pontchartrain. On April 13, 1840 the Council reduced the number of men to fifteen while keeping the same number of officers. That legislation also eliminated a portion of the Guard that had been mounted. The lamplighters of the municipality apparently also served Guard time until a resolution of August 13, 1840 decreased their numbers and exempted them from such duty. On September 13, 1841 the Council abolished the Commissaries of Police for the Second District and ordered the Guard to assume their responsibilities.

On May 2, 1842 the Council resolved that Guard members had to be citizens of the U.S., speakers of English and French, and residents of the municipality. They were to be recommended by at least two other citizens as "honest, sober, and industrious" persons. They were also required to give a security bond to the Recorder to guarantee the faithful execution of their duties. The captain was to inspect all of the municipality's posts nightly and report any infractions by the men to the Recorder.

By ordinance of June 3, 1844 the Council reorganized the police of the municipality into a Night Watch and a Day Police. The former was composed of a captain, a lieutenant, a sub-lieutenant, two sergeants, and twenty-five men, divided among a main post, a post in Faubourg Washington, and one on the Bayou Road. The captain served at the main post and was responsible for distributing the men, taking care of the weapons, reporting daily to the Recorder (with a copy to the Mayor), and appearing at the Recorder's Court with the prisoners apprehended by the Watch. He was to keep a register of Watch officers and men and a journal of all police activities. All Watch members had to give proof of their citizenship and be able to read and write as well as speak English and French fluently.

The watchmen were to make continuous rounds while on duty; to arrest enslaved people out at night without passes and other suspicious persons; to report on lamps that were out; to order saloon-keepers to close at the proper hour; to arrest offenders causing disturbances; and to assist other officers in need. A supply of weapons at each watch house was to be used only in case of disturbances and when ordered by the Recorder, Mayor or other superior officer.

The Day Police established by the 1844 ordinance consisted of eight men under the command of the captain of the Night Watch, assisted by his subordinate officers. The captain was to place the members of this force where they were needed to assure peace and the protection of private property. He was to report daily to the Recorder and keep a register of free persons of color and of suspicious strangers.