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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHistory of the Bozeman Police Dept_Chapter 08Chapter 8 Hista Tidbits On Apri126, 1883, the minutes from the City Council meeting state: "The City Marshall was instructed to put up a stove for the use of prisoners in the City Prison." In accordance to the City Council minutes on May 15, 1883, "The Marshall was authorized to purchase the necessary alarms, whistles, irons and handcuffs for the arrest and safe custody of prisoners by the police force." Around 1891 a Police Officer would received $1.Op for each dog they killed and buried. ********** A Chief of Police in the 1980's directed a memorandum to his Shift Commanders and his style or writing added a sense of humor to get his point across. The memo reads as follows: MEMO: TO SHIFT COMMANDERS FROM: CHIEF SUBJ: PATROLMAN ALL I SEE IS HIGH PRICED PATROLMAN SITTING AROUND THE STATION. THIS IS A NO NO. WE NOW HAVE A MEDIUM PRICED DISPATCHER WITH TYPING TALENTS WORKING THE NIGHT DUTY WHO LOVES TO TYPE. THE OFFICERS ARE TO WRI"I'E OUT THEIR REPORTS IN LONG HAND, LEAVE A NOTE AS TO THEIR WISHES, LEAVE FOR HER TO TYPE AND PUT ON THEIlt LOCKER FOR APPROVAL. IMPERIAL AUTHORITY GENTLEMAN, IlvIPERIAL AUTHORITY. THANK YOU CHIEF 50 ' City Ordinance 100 established various positions within city gavenvncnt that were appointed by the Mayor and the position of Chief of Folice was included. All appointments must receive confirmation from the City Council. Policemen were also appointed by the Mayor. The first City Marshall to serve the City of Bozeman was Jacob Oakwood. He ' was elected by popular vote and began his term of office on April 12, 1883. No record was found showing if anyone else ran for the position. It was at this time the Mayor "re- ' engaged as night watchmen Joseph Didawick and George Herendeen". Their salary was set at $90.00 per month. Marshall Oakwood's salary was set at $115.00 per month. On August 9, 1883, the City Council ordered that E_J. Didawick be discharged as ' a policeman. During thc City elections held in 1887, E. J. Didawick received 146 votes the majority, and began his new office, that being Police Magistrate, a position that he served for several terms. 1 ~l The City Marshall election results that were held in April of each year from 1883 to 1892 were as follows: Apri18,1984 Jacob Oakwood 211 votes A.P. Clark 82 votes Apri18,1885 A.P. Clark 161 votes S.S. Houston 160 votes April 7,1986 A.P. Clark 196 votes S.S. Houston 170 votes 51 ~~I Apri15,1887 A.P. Clark 178 votes Nelson Catlin 119 vates J.T. Freeman d3 votes S.S. Houston was hired as night watchman at $100.00 per month. The salary for the City Marshall was set at $85.00 per month. Apri13,1888 A.P. Clark J.W. Ronsford 263 votes 183 votes Marshall A.P. Clark's salary was $100.00 per month. Apri14,1889 Bery F. Fridley 283 votes J.J. Kountz 211 votes April 8,1890 Berry King 255 votes A.J. Edsall 218 votes Apri17,1891 John Robertson 277 votes A. Williams 2fi0 votes B. Stevenston 31 votes April 5,1892 John Robertson 365 votes A.S. Williams 301 votes In 1883, by City Cauncil action, the Marshall not only served law enforcement needs of the community, he also was the Street Commissioner. This duel position continued for several years. 52 C~ On January 26, 1885, a complaint was brought against Officer Joseph Hant and he was dismissed by the City Council. At that same Council meeting, Stafford Houston was ' hired as a policeman. On December 6, 1883, the minutes of the Ci Council show that $170.00 was Ty paid to Spieth & Krig for 7 months rent on City Hall. ' City Council minutes on October 4, 1883 reflect an entry where 6 policeman badges were purchased from E.A. Hoag for $1.50. It was also during this same meeting ' the City Marshall was ordered to make arrangements for the board of city prisoners at a rate not to exceed 33 1/3 cents per meal. On March 6, 1897, Policeman Chas Gustavus was dismissed by the City Council ' as he was not eligible because he had not been a resident of Bozeman far two years prior to his appointment on March 3, 1897. T.M. Sipes was appointed to fill the vacancy. Promotions and advancements in the Bozeman Police Department are quite ' competitive today. Many different factors are scared: written test, oral resume, supervisor evaluations, peer evaluations and interviews are part of the promotion process. Na longer are promotions based solely on seniority. When I started my law enforcement career with the Bozeman Police Department, a promotion to the rank of Sergeant was based only an seniority. If you had the time and ' were next in line, you got the position. By the time I was eligible for Sergeant, the process changed to a written test, evaluation and interview. The top scare was not ' guaranteed the position, as the Chief of Police could pick anyone in the top three. A transfer from the Patrol Division to the Detective Division was short lived. In some cases an officer would stay in Detectives for a six month period and maybe up to one year. After this short stint in Detectives the officer would be transferred back to Patrol. The Detective Sergeant would be assigned to that division for a longer period of ' time. The reasoning was that being a Detective was a great training ground due to the type of investigations handled by that division. Today, it is not uncommon for officers to ' S3 remain in Detectives for 2 or 3 years or longer. All off cers and support employees are provided with quality training. In 1972, the Detective Division consisted of the Sergeant and one Detective. Today, this division includes the Detective Sergeant, four Detectives, two Drug Task ' Force Detectives, one School Resource Officer that handles juvenile crime, and one secretary. This division falls under the authority of the Operations Captain. Speaking of promotions. While searching for anything that would contribute to " ' the History of the Bozeman Police Department", I came across an announcement that was directed to "All Policemen". This document was dated May 28, 1968 and would ' tend to make a Personnel Director nervous. It reads as follows: To: AlI Policemen Bateman, Montana Notice is hereby given by the Bozeman Civil Service Commission that applications will be received for promotion to the rank of Sergeant of the Bateman City Police Department to fill one vacancy. Applications should be addressed to the Civil Service Commission, Bare of Joseph B. Gary, Secretary, Box 609, and should include the fallowing information: ' 1. Age 2. Education ' 3. Specialized training in Police work 4. Marital status S. Military status, if any ' 6. Seniority on the Police Depau~bment 7. Any other experience as a police officer in any other Police Department 8. A summary of your concept of the function of a policeman and a sergeant ' on the police force All applications and the materials set Earth therein shall be confidential and shall ' be examined only by the Civil Service Board and the contents shall not be made public nor divulged to any other applicant or any other city official. The Board is desirous of viewing all applicants as impartially as possible and giving all persons an equal opportunity to seek the position of Sergeant. In addition to the application and the study of records of each applicant, there will ' be a written examination given at a time and place selected by the Board and the Chief of Police. 54 1 1 0 u 1 1 i~ fl 1 For your further information, the following percentages will be given in determining the officer to be selected as Sergeant: 1. Test - 40% 2. Seniority - 2S% 3. Character and service record - 4. Interview - 10% 5. Interview with Chief of Police 20% 5% Civil Service Board Joseph B. Gary, Secretary The first recorded accident involving a police vehicle was reported on September 29, 1928. Officer Forrest was riding the motorcycle and the other vehicle was a car. The entry that appears in the Police Blotter reads: "I was going south on Tracy and I,eo Killeyband was going east on Olive. He hit the rear end of motorcycle. Broke handle bars and bent fenders. Bent axil and fire from his car." From entries contained in the Police Blotter, it is believed the first traffic accident reports appeared during the late 1932's ar early 1933. One of the main duties of the night watchman was to check property in the business district. It was common to see entries in the blotter where doors were found unlocked, windows were left open, lights were on inside the building, gas pumps not lacked, and doors to gas station bathrooms unlocked. Each time, the officer would notify the owner who would ga to the business location and secure it. Early entries in the blotter showed that a new officer that was recently hired had the duty and responsibility to check property on the "East End". Numerous entries were made to indicate the east end was okay. ********** Another responsibility added to the many duties of the night watchman was to 55 1 1 L 0 1 0 check street lights. If a light was out, the time was recorded and it was also noted when the light was once again operational. At the end of the month and contained in the monthly report submitted by the Chief of Police, the total time where lights were out was recorded. Depending on which light was out, the deduction of either 2 cents or 4 cents per hour was subtracted from the light bill. Numerous entries were noted in the blotter where a police officer would order someone to go to work. Police O#l;icers also ordered many people "to get out of town". Speaking of getting out of town, it was a common practice with officers to "float" people out of town. The officer would take the person to the top of the Bozeman Hill and tell them to keep going. Officers would also send people on their way via freight train. Officers arrested many people for being either drunk or disorderly. Some entries were noted where an officer would release an arrested person in order for that person to get a job so they could pay their fine. Officers also arrested many people throughout the years for minor offenses and would release them on the condition they left town. u For the period 1925 through 1935, I found very few entries in the Police Blotter regarding prostitution in Bozeman However, many women were arrested over the years for the very violation. An annual report in the early 1900's stated that prior to shutting down the red light district, an average of 88 arrests were made each month. After shutting down the red light district, the number of arrests dropped to an average of 22 per month. 56 On September 17, 1937, the Bozeman City Commission considered "stop and go" light signals on Main Street. However, they wanted to da a "straw vote" of the community to determine if this would be accepted. On October $, 1937 the "straw vote" community results were 480 in favor of ' "stop and go" lights and 101 against. The Commission later authorized "stop and go" light signals on Main Street at a ' cost of $2500.00. The City Commission minutes of April 29, 1938 reflect the following" Emergency Police Equipment ' The needs of the Police Department for emergency equipment such as high- powered rifles, tear gas, and similar equipment was discussed. The Commission expressed the opinion that a policy of regulaz procurement of such equipment to the ' extent of at least $ l 00.00 per year be followed. ' On August 7, 1946, the Ci Commission set salaries for licemen at 200.00 tS' po $ per month with $1.00 per month added for each year of service. ' *****~*w*~ ' During the 1947 legislative session, a proposal was submitted attempting to remove the Police Department from control by the City Manager. This proposal had ' statewide support. On November 25, 1938, the City Commission opened bids for a police car. The bids were as follows: S tate Auto Co. $837.75 $480.00 allowance on present caz Severson Motor Co. 930.00 400.00 allowance on present car Anderson Motors 874.00 400.00 allowance on present car The Police Chief wanted to "try aut» the cars before a decision was made what to ' buy. On December 2, 1938, the Chief recommended the low bid be accepted from State Auto Co. -Plymouth "Road King" 2 door sedan. ' S7 ~~ L~I' 1 1 [] 1 On February 10, 1945, the City Commission discussed the Police Department and a 10 hour shift. "Mr. R.C. Embry, Chief of Police, appeared before the Commission and stated that he was losing two men from his department during the month. He further stated it was difficult to get men to replace those leaving the department and that the new men did not stay long enough to warrant their training, not long enough for them to become acquainted with their work. He suggested, therefore, that the six men now working might work 10 hours a day, provided they were not allowed to engage in any other line of work while connected with the police department. He felt that the men would be better satisfied with such an arrangement and the department would be more efficient with experience men. City Attorney Aitken stated that the law did not prohibit the men from working ten hours a day, and after discussion, it was decided to try this schedule for one month and see how it works out, if agreeable with the other members of the department." On February 16, 1945, Chief Embry reported the men did not like 10 hour shifts. He stated he would go back the way it was and get by as best as possible during this "war effort". Moonlighting was common in my early law enforcement career during the 1970's. For the most part the additional jab was needed in order to buy groceries and keep the family healthy. Wages were low and most of my monthly check would go towards housing and related items. ********** Contained in the City Council minutes of December 6, 1883, the Council approved payment of a warrant for Special Policemen, Wm. M Teirth and W.J. Thonie, for services at the quarantine. ********** Dog Catcher, Laurence Bradley started March 1, 1945 and received $30.00 far working six shifts. Robert Moffett started his employmeirt with the Police Department on March 20, 1945 and only worked 6 '/z shifts as the Dog Catcher before he quit. He received $32.50. S8 ' On November 21, 1944, an officer ticketed a car that was speeding on South 8`~ Avenue. Apparently the speeding driver was timed by a stop watch and traveled 300 feet ' in seven seconds. The ticket was later mailed to the driver who resided in West Yellowstone and was told to appear in a week or two. ' The minutes from the City Council meeting that was held on September 13, 1883, approved the hiring of the following six "Special Policemen" and approved a salary of $3.50 per day providing a ten hour day was worked. Special Policemen were reserves to ' the regular three man department. Charles Heardy, R. Hare, C. Davis, Jeff Lowe, J.C. Hennessy, and E.R. Bradley. On July 1, 1890, the operation for the City moved into the new City Hall facility. ' On July 3, 1$90, the City Council approved the hiring of the fallowing Special Policemen: John Robertson, W.G. Alexander, and Fred Bequette. On July 7, 1890, the City Council approved the use of street lights for the City of ' Bozeman. «, On May 1, 1883, dunng the City Council meeting; it was ordered: That A.P. Clark be allowed the sum of twenty dollars and ninety six cents, for handcuffs, and other instruments, purchased of him by the City Marshall, as heretofore authorized as for bill an file, and that a warrant be drawn upon the City Treasurer for the amount in his favor." ' On May 31, 1883, the minutes from the City Council meeting state; "Ordered: That E.J. Didawick be allowed ninety dollars for one month service as Policeman, and that a warrant therefor be drawn on the Treasurer for said amount, payable to his order." During this same meeting it was also "Ordered: That George Herendeen be allowed ninety dollars for one month service as Policeman, and that a warrant therefor be ' drawn on the City Treasurer for said sum, payable to his order." ' S9 n U IIII J 1 [l 1 G "The bond of Jacob Oakwood, as City Marshall, in penalty of two thousand dollars, with Charles King and John Mitchell as security thereon, and dated April 18, 1883, was approved." City Council action on April 19, 1883 reflected that, "On motion by Davis, the Committee on Public Buildings were directed to rent the "old jail" for six months at twenty dollars per month." It is believed this "old jail" was the lag building that was built by the County in 1869. It was located on East Mendenhall approximately 100 feet from Bozeman Creek. In 1881, the County built the first Courthouse and second jail on a piece of ground located at Main and Fourth that was donated by W.H. Tracy. Contained in the Activity Log or "Night Book" is the scheduled hours and days worked by officers of the Police Department. In 1932, their were five police officers, including the Chief of Police. A stint of duty involved nine hour shifts where officers would start their shift work sometime between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. and work until 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. ********** In a random check of work schedules and days off I found that days off were not a given nor scheduled. During a twelve month period in 1932 - 1933 (leap year), Officer Peter Jenkins worked 340 day and was off 26 days. During this same period of time, Officer Anderson worked 339 days and was off 27 days that year. By the 1940's, the officer's work schedule was a little more appealing. During the month of February 1944 (again leap year), I found that the shifts varied from eight to nine haws long. Each officer would work six days and get one day off. One year later in February 1945, a shift consisted of 8 hours. However, days off were not certain as some officers had three days off and others had four days off in this 28 day period. Today, in 1996, Police Officers work fow 10 hours shifts and receive 3 days off. Civilian support employees are scheduled to work five 8 hour days with 2 days off each week. 60