The history of the Houston Police Department started with the founding of the City of Houston. While the department's beginning was humble, it grew more advanced as technology became available and was able to handle the various challenges that would plague various cities as well as some of the more distinctive aspects of its geography.
Chronology
Early history
The first constable of the then recently incorporated capital city of the Republic of Texas, Houston was elected in 1837, making him the city's first law enforcement officer. The police force itself was not established until 1841 by Houston's first marshal, Daniel Busley.
There was little patrolling of the city during the next 20 years. It was up to the individual businessmen to hire guards to protect their establishments. In 1866, Marshal Isaac C. Lord began to establish HPD as a proper police force by setting hiring rules, regulations, and requirements in hiring practices for recruits. The new policies were reviewed by the city council and were added to the City Charter (Art 308–344). Isaac C. Lord lobbied and succeeded in adopting the dress uniform which states, "The dress of the members of the police force shall be navy blue, indigo die and all wool." (Art 333, 1866) It was also during this period on March 10, 1860, that C. Edward Foley became the first to fall in the line of duty while on patrol.Officer Down Memorial Page. Odmp.org.
In 1873, during Reconstruction, R. Van Patton was appointed City Marshal. It was during his tenure that the force hired its first black officers. The officer complement at this time was 12, with an even number of black and white officers. The second-in-command Deputy Marshal was the first black officer to hold that position among those hired. During this year, the "Manual of the Houston Police Force" was written and the salary was set at $60 a month where it would stay until 1915.
1894 was the year where the department hired its first two police detectives and purchased a patrol wagon. The term "Wagon call" is still used to this day when it is required to transport prisoners.
In 1900, The title "City Marshal" was changed to "Chief of Police", however it remained an elected position. J.G. Blackburn was the last person to have the title "City Marshal" and with re-election, the first to have the title "Chief of Police." In the same year, the first female matron was hired and the name of the force was changed to "The Houston Police Department."
1910–1919
On August 23, 1910, the first police chief was appointed by the mayor instead of being elected. Later that year, Houston purchased its first police car, along with the formation of the city's first traffic squad to help maintato Houston's bustling streets at that time.
On April 21, 1911, Mayor Baldwin Rice hires Frank Hamer to assist special officers who were investigating a gang that had killed several HPD officers.Jenkins and Frost, I'm Frank Hamer, Abilene:State House Press, 1993.44, print Frank Hamer would later become a legendary Texas Ranger.
The first raise in several decades occurred in 1915 from $60 to $75 a month along with the reduction of work hours (from 12 hours to 8) on their shift.
At the beginning of the First World War, there were two military bases in Houston. One was Ellington Field along (Then Known as) Galveston Road and Camp Logan (Later to become Memorial Park). These two camps Trained, Housed Bomber Cadets and The 24th Infantry Regiment, respectively. The Northern troops resented the segregation of Houston and things came to a head when a black soldier was arrested for interfering in the arrest of a black woman. A clash between the black soldiers and the Houston Police Department erupted shortly thereafter that resulted in the deaths of 16 whites (5 of them police officers), several black soldiers, two white soldiers, and one Hispanic soldier. It was only after Mayor Moody called for federal troops and Martial law declared was the riot eventually quelled.
In 1918 HPD hired Eva Jane Bacher as its first policewoman and in 1921 was assigned to the Public Moral and safety squad (Which later turned into the Vice Division), making her the first female Detective.
1920–1929
In 1920, HPD revised its application examination to cover its duties, responsibilities, various procedures and firearms policies.
Additionally, the following tools and policies were added to the police department in
1921: Traffic signals were installed and a traffic squad of 22 officers operated them. The Department grew to 171 personnel. The Title of Chief of Police was changed to Superintendent of Police. The Police Burial Fund was established at a cost of 50 cents a month and paid a benefit of $200 initially but was raised to $500 in time.
In 1925, the City of Houston initiated the delivery of complimentary municipal healthcare services for all city employees at the Historic Jefferson Davis Hospital, located in Houston's Historic First Ward. HPD moved to its new building that same year.
On October 19, 1926, Magnolia Park, the first substation was opened. The assigned officers were close to the ship channel and were kept busy with prohibition violations and were charged with intercepting all forms of liquor.
The remainder of the decade saw the following milestones:
1927: The Mounted Traffic Squad was established in Downtown. HPD formed it first Police band. Automatic Traffic signals were upgraded and installed. The first radio was installed in patrol cars. They were turned to KPRC (the only station in town) and regular programming was interrupted to broadcast dispatch police calls. 1928: The city Ordinance that forced officers to keep their firearms out of sight under their coats was repealed. HPD started hiring woman as "matrons" instead of female Police officers. Matrons would be responsible for young females, juvenile boys and girls. 1929: Manpower was increased to 330 officers, 36 patrol cars and 23 motorcycles. The Houston Chronicle reported that the position of police woman was abolished because Chief McPhail believed that a woman on the police force was unnecessary and that policing was a man's job.
1930–1939
In 1930, the Touchy Furniture Store Robbery highlighted a deficiency in the firepower of HPD's weapons. Several .38 caliber shots struck but failed to penetrate the suspect's vehicle as it got away resulting in the deaths of 2 officers. As a result, the city started to issue .44 caliber guns instead.
Also in 1930: A third substation, North Side was opened. The Homicide Division was created. The first Police school was formed. Percy Heard was sworn as Superintendent of Police. Two Thompson Machine Guns were purchased for the apprehension of "desperate criminals." 425 Special (Reserve) Officers were sworn in by the Mayor and under the call of the Superintendent of Police during Emergencies. A "Shadow Box" was installed allowing victims to view suspects without being seen as well.
In 1933 The Police and Fire Departments were merged briefly under the Department of Safety. Two-way radios were installed in the patrol cars and received called from the police radio station KGZB. This allowed for "Scout Cars" to be deployed more effectively and designed to create a feeling of friendliness and safety between the department and citizens.
The milestones of the 1930s included:
1935: The average response time was reduced from 5.8 to 3.81 minutes. The City purchased 1,000 parking meters for downtown. 1936: The Federal Communications Commission named HPD as one of the first five departments in the United States to be licensed. The Missing Persons Division was established. 1937: The Accident Division was created. Each officer was issued one uniform per year. 1939: Force strength reached 444 officers.
Additionally in 1939, HPD started its first Police Academy Class held at the Sam Houston Coliseum under the direction of Captain L.D. Morrison that lasted 5 weeks. The first class that graduated was on August 16, 1939, and is referred to as the Class of '39.200th HPD Academy Cadet Class Begins
1940–1949
In 1940, HPD had grown to 466 officers. With the increased use of the police radios, a PBX operator was hired to handle police calls. In the same year the Department started giving voluntary blood tests to determine the intoxication of suspected drunken drivers.
In 1941, Neal Picket was elected Mayor of Houston named Ray Ashworth as Chief of police. This move sparked controversy because he was originally the Chief of Police from San Antonio. Counsel members were hoping to hire a new chief from within the rank and file of the current police department. Ashworth quickly instituted the following changes:
All officers could have one day off per week. All officers had to have a standardized nickel-plated badge with either a number or rank. The purchase of 47 new police cars, which doubled the size of the fleet. One-man units to cover more area and reduce crime. All members of the department were to be fingerprinted; this resulted in 15 officers being terminated for having police records. Created the Houston Civilian Auxiliary Police Division to be used in emergencies which was necessary due to a number of officers going into the military.
In 1945, The Houston Police Officers Association (HPOA) was established.
1950–1959
In October 1950, a new City ordinance took effect that reduced the police work week from 48 to 40 hours. In 1951, Chief Morrison announced a "booster squad" designed to be deployed at certain crime-infested parts of the city that proved to be quite effective in cutting down crime in areas they worked in. Also in that year, the first of the three-wheeled motorcycles to direct traffic and write tickets.
In 1953 The 100 Club, a 501(c)(3) charity, was founded by Leopold L. Meyer, Ray R, Elliot, R.H. Abercrombie, William A. "Bill" Smith and James Marion West Jr. to help Police officers by providing assistance when officers are hurt or killed in the line of duty.
In 1954, Chief Jack Heard was appointed Chief of Police. Under his tenure he implemented the following changes: Once again women were allowed to join the police department. Female cadets were hired as dispatchers, jail matrons, or to perform clerical duties. Officers were permitted to wear light weight long sleeved shirts. 20 walkie-talkies were purchased for the Narcotics, Vice, and other divisions. Obtained the first Police Chaplain.
Chief Heard would also be elected to Harris County Sheriff in 1972.
1956 Carl Shuptrine was appointed Chief and in 1957 he reassigned 70 officers from downtown foot patrol to patrol cars to help get to Houston's newly annexed areas. This was an effort to "decentralize" the Police Department and to economize manpower. This included 17 civilian jailers and in 1959 purchased two lots for future substations.
1960–1969 In 1960, some of the requirements were trainee applicants during this time frame were to be: 21 years of age or older 5'8" to 6'5" tall A high school graduate or have passed an entrance exam given by the University of Houston In excellent physical condition with no history of asthma, hay fever, tuberculosis, or diabetes Free from any physical defects or deformations. Live within radius of Houston
Other milestones for the 1960s include:
1960: The Central Intelligence Division was created to track "hoodlums".
1962: Snap-on ties would be worn for safety reasons. Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 15) was designated by congress and signed into law by President John F. Kennedy. 1964: Herman B. Short was appointed as the New Chief.
1965: The State of Texas established the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Education (TCLEOSE)
1966: Total force was 1,337 officers patrolling . The Department's bomb squad was established. 1967: Officers received 22% pay raise spread out over a 3-year period.