Ten days after the United States entered World War I, Minnesota Governor J.A.A. Burnquist signed a law creating the Minnesota Commission of Public Safety. The goal of this watchdog group was to ensure public safety during wartime, but many of its policies targeted groups the CPS suspected of being "disloyal." Immigrants, the Nonpartisan League, and labor unions were particularly at-risk under CPS policies.

On May 14, 1917 the Minnesota Commission of Public Safety began the appointment of "Peace Officers." Officers wore metallic badges like this one and protected the private property of citizens.