Today in Wheeling History: January 16--The Wheeling Police Department was established (1806).
On January 16, 1806, Wheeling was chartered as a "town" by the Virginia Legislature (later West Virginia in 1863). The charter called for a Police Department to protect the growing area. The Wheeling Police Department (WPD) is believed the oldest in the state, over a century older than the West Virginia State Police in 1919. The first Chief of Police reference is March 25, 1806 when George Pannell was appointed Sergeant, with Chief's duties. After incorporation in 1836, Peter Kennedy became the first official Chief, over four officers on unpaved, oil-lamp lit streets. One of the primary duties of the Officers was to keep the streets clear of cows and pigs so that they would not startle passing horses. The first arrest was Mr. Ward Cubbinson for striking Osrey Hatch during an argument over cows on 12th and Market. Cubbinson paid a $2 fine in corn. The first woman arrested was Maude Smith for assaulting a neighbor's child, fined $1. In 1925, the first police car arrived, with a 1928 "scout car" and motorcycles. 1936 saw radio cars effective in floods. 1988 brought a drug task force and computer systems. D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) started in 1990, full computerization by 1992, and in-car cameras. 1997 saw first bike patrols and neighborhood watch. The first K9 unit with Freddie and Alf came in 2003, Prevention Resource Officers in 2006, civilian front desk staff in 2015, a Public Information Officer in 2016, and a Crime Analyst in 2018.
To learn more: (http://tinyurl.com/52w574u2) (http://tinyurl.com/bdeysa9b)
(http://tinyurl.com/nk9dfz7n) (http://tinyurl.com/2zb8a2xb) (http://tinyurl.com/bp6esrmt)
Photo Credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV
On January 16, 1806, Wheeling was chartered as a "town" by the Virginia Legislature (later West Virginia in 1863). The charter called for a Police Department to protect the growing area. The Wheeling Police Department (WPD) is believed the oldest in the state, over a century older than the West Virginia State Police in 1919. The first Chief of Police reference is March 25, 1806 when George Pannell was appointed Sergeant, with Chief's duties. After incorporation in 1836, Peter Kennedy became the first official Chief, over four officers on unpaved, oil-lamp lit streets. One of the primary duties of the Officers was to keep the streets clear of cows and pigs so that they would not startle passing horses. The first arrest was Mr. Ward Cubbinson for striking Osrey Hatch during an argument over cows on 12th and Market. Cubbinson paid a $2 fine in corn. The first woman arrested was Maude Smith for assaulting a neighbor's child, fined $1. In 1925, the first police car arrived, with a 1928 "scout car" and motorcycles. 1936 saw radio cars effective in floods. 1988 brought a drug task force and computer systems. D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) started in 1990, full computerization by 1992, and in-car cameras. 1997 saw first bike patrols and neighborhood watch. The first K9 unit with Freddie and Alf came in 2003, Prevention Resource Officers in 2006, civilian front desk staff in 2015, a Public Information Officer in 2016, and a Crime Analyst in 2018.
To learn more: (http://tinyurl.com/52w574u2) (http://tinyurl.com/bdeysa9b)
(http://tinyurl.com/nk9dfz7n) (http://tinyurl.com/2zb8a2xb) (http://tinyurl.com/bp6esrmt)
Photo Credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV
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