 Matsell would also seek to establish a special police division to patrol the cities river and waterfront areas, with property values at an estimated $350 million ($ in present-day terms), to protect against the numerous river pirates of the period.In 1857, the Metropolitan Police Act was passed by the state legislature in favor of the previous Municipal Police Act over a decade earlier and allowed the establishment of a police commission to oversee the New York's law enforcement.In the ensuing battle for control of the NYPD however, Matsell was forced to resign his position as the commission assumed administrative control.