In 1740 Burgesses were admitted as Freemen and Guild Brothers for a fee of  four pounds. They were required to act as night watchmen and were given privileges which included the right to sell their wares. Only citizens of Renfrew were allowed to practise their crafts in the town at this time. Any outsider caught selling goods was liable to a fine of twenty pounds.

One hundred years later, in 1840, the Renfrewshire Constabulary was established and a Chief Constable appointed in 1855. His added responsibilities included making sure the streets were kept in a fit state, Sanitation, Weights and Measures and the Fire Brigade.

In the early 1900's there were two cases of body snatching and two armed guards were placed in the Parish churchyard at night.

The present police station in Inchinnan Road was opened on 13 March 1910 replacing the police station in the Town Hall.

An anecdote about modernisation  -  in 1887 the National Telephone Company wrote offering a direct connection between the Renfrew police and the exchange at Paisley for the sum of twelve pounds a year. It was refused on the grounds that it would not have sufficient use to warrant the expense and the public telephone in the Town Hall would suffice.