About the Berkeley Police Department:
The City of Berkeley was incorporated
in 1878. The City was policed by a elected town Marshal. In addition the Marshal was assisted by elected Constables. Through
these years the Marshal and Constables mostly served papers and seldom arrested without a warrant. Crime increased through
the turn of the century. In 1905, August Vollmer was elected town Marshal. In 1909, he was appointed as this City's first
Chief of Police. Chief August Vollmer was instrumental in organizing this department,
creating what we now call a "Code of Ethics", which included eliminating the acceptance of gratuities, rewards or favors." Chief August Vollmer demanded a high
level of honesty, efficiency, interest and hard work by his officers. This has continued to this day, which has been the foundation
for our world wide reputation in the law enforcement field.
Chief August Vollmer is considered by some
as the father of modern day law enforcement. His progressive thinking and use of new innovations in law enforcement became
the foundation that our department has built on. Some of the early innovations by Chief Vollmer and this department were:
In 1906, the department installed a basic records system (One of the first in the United States); In 1906, installed the first
Modus Operandi (MO) System; In 1907, first use of scientific investigation (Kelinschmidt case - analysis of blood, fibers
and soil).; In 1907, the department's police school was established. It included instruction from professors on such subjects
as the law and evidence procedures. This was the first school of its kind in the world and had a far reaching effect on law
enforcement; In 1911, organized the first Police Motorcycle Patrol; In 1913, changed to automobiles for patrolling; In 1916,
Chief Vollmer established the first School of Criminology at University of California, at Berkeley. Chief Vollmer became a
strong advocate of college educated police officers; In 1918, began using intelligence tests in recruiting police officers;
In 1920, the first lie detector instrument was developed at University of California and used by our department; In 1921,
began using a psychiatric screening in recruitment; In 1923, the first Junior Traffic Police Program was established; In 1924,
established one of the first single fingerprint systems; In 1925, established our first Crime Prevention Division and hired
the first Police Woman.
Source:
ci.berkeley.ca.us/police
/history/history.html
