Lincoln’s vision shaped the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia. Envision yourself standing before an institution steeped in history. The State Police. This force began in the midst of the Civil War. President Abraham Lincoln saw a need for order in the growing capital.
In 1861 Congress established the Metropolitan Police Department MPD. Lincoln dispatched a board member to study New York City’s police system. The goal was to create a well-organized force for Washington D.C. The MPD replaced earlier law enforcement efforts. Before that constables and a city watch maintained order.
William Benning Webb became the first superintendent. He was commissioned as a major in the army. The department started with ten precincts. These covered areas from the Anacostia River to Georgetown. The initial force had limited resources. Officers had to buy their own firearms. The US Capitol became the backdrop for their badge. The first arrest was for public intoxication.
The MPD played a role in President Lincoln’s security. In 1864 four officers guarded the White House. They accompanied Lincoln on walks. These officers wore plainclothes. They concealed their revolvers. One officer William H. Crook served under five presidents. He later wrote about his experiences.
After Lincoln’s assassination the MPD took immediate action. Officer John Frederick Parker’s absence from his post is a low point. He had left his post at the door to Lincoln’s box. Major Richards organized the investigation. MPD officers closed entertainment venues. They helped seal off the city. A detective’s blotter entry noted the assassination. It identified John Wilkes Booth as the assassin.
In 1871 the first MPD officer died in the line of duty. Officer Francis M. Doyle was killed attempting to recover stolen property. Ulysses S Grant was arrested by the MPD. He was caught speeding in his horse and buggy. The MPD is the only police department that has arrested a sitting US president.
The MPD has evolved over the years. The Women’s Bureau formed in 1918. It addressed issues involving juveniles. Mina Van Winkle became its director. The MPD established a School of Instruction in 1919. It was a forerunner to today’s police academy.
During Prohibition the MPD combatted organized crime. Many officers died in the line of duty. During the Great Depression the MPD confronted the Bonus Army. Veterans demanding payment for their service camped in Anacostia Park.
Robert V Murray became superintendent in 1951. He modernized the department. Murray developed a code of ethics. He created an internal investigations division.
The MPD faced challenges during the 1968 riots. The city erupted after Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. Federal troops assisted the overwhelmed police force. In 1974 Officer Gail A Cobb became the first US female officer killed in the line of duty.
The MPD responded to the September 11 attacks. They activated the Joint Operations Command Center. Officers secured federal buildings. In 2013 MPD officers responded to the Washington Navy Yard shooting. They confronted the shooter Aaron Alexis.
In 2021 the MPD assisted during the storming of the US Capitol. Many officers were injured. The Metropolitan Police Department continues to protect and serve. It upholds its traditions while adapting to modern challenges. The MPD remains a vital part of Washington D.C.