About the Fort Wayne Police Department

Fort Wayne's police force was first organized when Conrad Penn was appointed over a night watch of three men. They patrolled from sundown to dawn. At this time the population was 12,000. The Fort Wayne Daily Sentinel commended the Night Watch on December 12, 1863 when it stated, "Well done thou good and faithful servants for their fine work in the community."

By 1869, there were eight officers and they worked from 6:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. and 7:00 P.M. to 6:00 A.M. The uniform consisted of a dark blue double-breasted frock coat with two rows of gilt Police Buttons on the breast, a vest and pantaloons. Today, the Fort Wayne Police Department has an authorized strength of 460 sworn officers. The Department's budget for 2007 is approximately $46,000,000.  The major organizational components of the department are: Patrol Uniform Operations consisting of four divisions (Northeast, Northwest, Southeast and Southwest); Investigative Support Division; and, Information Services Division. Each division is commanded by a Deputy Chief (except Information Services, which is headed by a civilian Director). All Division heads report to the Assistant Chief of Police and the Chief of Police.