Wow. Look at this imposing building. This is the Annapolis Police Department. Its history stretches back to 1708. That’s when Annapolis got its city charter. The charter appointed constables. It also allowed the Anne Arundel County Sheriff to police Annapolis for six years. After that Annapolis elected its own Sheriff.
The term police officer didn’t exist until 1861. Even then the officers reported to the mayor. The Annapolis Police Department was officially created in 1867 by the Maryland General Assembly. That’s a long time ago. Can you imagine policing a town with just a few watchmen? The earliest records show Andrew Denver and Benjamin Shipley were sworn in as city watchmen in 1854.
Early Annapolis police officers dealt with common problems. Think disorderly conduct. Indecent language was also a concern. Playing cards on Sundays was illegal. So was smoking in the market. The department’s duties included patrolling the streets at night. They also maintained a fire watch.
In 1867 the first official police department was formed. Thomas Basil became the first commissioner and chief of police. He had only four officers. Those officers were Nicholas Deal C Lamb B Esmond and James Hurley. Their headquarters was in City Hall. That was around 195 Main Street. Later the city government moved to its current location on Duke of Gloucester Street.
The Annapolis Police Department has grown a lot since then. In 1972 they moved to their current location on Taylor Avenue. The new building had modern features such as bullet-resistant windows. It also had TV monitored cell blocks. The department acquired state-of-the-art radio systems and walkie-talkies. They even updated their uniforms to a stylish blue color.
Over time the department added women and minority officers. The first female officer Barbara Hopkins was hired in 1973. The first African American officers joined in 1960. This demonstrates the department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. In 2004 the department achieved national accreditation. This is a testament to their high standards of professionalism.
Today the Annapolis Police Department continues to evolve. The department has faced challenges such as periods of high crime. It continually strives to improve its service to the community. Their mission is to maintain a safe and secure environment. They aim for the highest standards of public service. Their dedication to honesty integrity and respect for human dignity is admirable.