How did they communicated when they needed back up, medical assistance or needed to ask for instructions or give instructions?
Yelling
Bells
Horns
Long distance communication was less of an issue back in the day because there were less people around and most of them knew each other on a personal level
People were "close" you know?
In more ways than one
Enforcing the law was more about protecting the innocent rather than just a job
And for long distance communication people sent letters