Cincinnati Police Department History – 1950 to 1974

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The Greater Cincinnati Police Museum

“Preserving the History of Law Enforcement in the Greater Cincinnati Area”

Cincinnati Police Department History – 1950 to 1974

1950	–	–	City population – 503,998	–
1950	Late	–	District 6 opened at 3295 Erie Avenue	–
1951	–	Schrotel, Col. Stanley R.	Chief (25th), to 1967, 15 years, 6 months	–
1951	–	–	Motor Transportation Bureau dissolved	–
1951	–	–	Supervising Police Captain established, by ordinance, making possible the interchange of top supervisory personnel of the Highway Safety Bureau, Crime Bureau, Police Training School, and Police Inspector as Night Chief.	–
1951	–	–	Traffic Enforcement Bulletin, to identify high accident locations, established	–
1951	–	–	Vice Squad established	–
1951	–	–	Work week reduced from 48 to 44 hours	–
1952	–	–	Court time for Common Pleas and Grand Jury appearances changed to monetary compensation	–
1952	1-Feb	–	Radar first used in apprehension of speeders	–
1952	–	–	Highway Safety Bureau moved into vacated Room 6 in basement of City Hall	–
1952	–	–	Juvenile Complaint Memorandum initiated and all contacts with juveniles combined into a central index by the Youth Aid Bureau	–
1952	–	–	Police Academy renamed from Police Training School and moved from City Hall to District Two, 2nd Floor, at Arch Street and Broadway	–
1952	–	–	Uniform Allowance of $65.00 annually was established	–
1952	–	–	–	–
1953	–	–	“Play it Safe” conducted in elementary schools and televised	–
1953	–	–	Personnel service records improved to include complete history of each member	–
1954	–	–	Patrol Cars: Motor patrol units, for first time, were all equipped with two-way radios	–
1954	–	–	Portable inspection lane for bicycles built and taken to strategic points for the promotion of bicycle safety.	–
1954	–	–	Superintendent of the Patrol Bureau established with all district operations under direction of Supervising Police Captain reducing chief’s span of control and intention to create a closer unity of Patrol Bureau performance	–
1954	–	–	Target Range on Wright Highway equipped with electric to provide training facilities comparable to those of the FBI	–
1955	–	–	Deputy Inspector classification established, changed from Night Chief, reporting to Inspection Bureau Commander	–
1955	20-Jun	–	Police Cadet classification established	–
1955	–	–	District 4 opened at a remodeled building at 7017 Vine Street in Carthage	–
1955	–	–	District 5 temporarily moved to old District 1 building at 1024 York Street due to demolition of building at 3478 Colerain Avenue to make way for Millcreek Expressway	–
1955	–	–	District 7 built new garage at 813 Beecher for purposes of washing and repairing patrol cars	–
1955	–	–	District boundaries realigned	–
1955	–	–	Headquarters moves to 310 Lincoln Park Drive with Juvenile Bureau, Traffic Bureau, and District one.	–
1955	–	–	Identification Section transferred to Service Bureau from Crime Bureau	–
1955	–	–	Notice to Appear and Notice of Referral combined to one form to utilize service of Youth Aid Bureau for follow-up investigation and disposition of cases	–
1955	–	–	Polygraph Operator position established	–
1955	–	–	Reorganization of division creating eight bureaus reporting to the chief, Supervising Police Captain position abolished in lieu of six assistant police chief positions to command six of the bureaus	–
1956	1-Apr	–	Work week reduced from 44 hours to 40	–
1957	–	–	Disciplinary board established consisting of personnel of all ranks to review major disciplinary problems	–
1957	Dec	–	District 5 opened new station house at 1012 Ludlow Avenue	–
1957	–	–	Interceptors (minimally marked, high power patrol vehicles) established to deal with deliberate traffic violators	–
1957	–	–	Motorcycle patrolmen issued safety helmets and more readily identifiable uniforms resulting in few injuries and better reactions from the public	–
1957	–	–	Tour program established by Youth Aid Bureau to better acquaint citizens with police facilities and operations	–
1957	–	–	Training program initiated and equipment furnished for mass fingerprinting of disaster victims	–
1958	–	–	District 5 opens indoor pistol range	–
1958	–	–	Field Interrogation Report established	–
1958	–	Mehring, Lt. Art, Broadcaster	Helicopter traffic initiated for one hour each morning and each afternoon	–
1958	–	–	Juvenile Bureau renamed from Youth Aid Bureau	–
1958	–	–	Patrol Cars: Electronic sirens replace mechanical sirens and can be used as public address system and to amplify radio for officers away from their cars	–
1958	–	–	Photographic copying machine installed and “in its first full year of operation… completely justified its installation”	–
1958	–	–	Police Science course instituted by Chase College in cooperation by Personnel Bureau	–
1958	–	–	Property Room improved with increased security, an alarm, and steel gratings.	–
1958	–	–	Tactical Squad reactivated to deal with crime experience in “one of [the] changing suburban areas”	–
1959	–	–	Crime Bureau approved for additional space in City Hall for interrogation rooms and office space for Robbery and Burglary Squads	–
1959	Apr	–	Tactical Unit formally established as separate unit from Patrol Bureau and included 1 sergeant and 10 patrolmen	–
1959	–	–	Crime Bureau purchased an additional camera for use by specialized squads, a hand vacuum machine to aid in the collection of evidence, and a miniature portable recorder for field use	–
1959	–	–	Crime Scene Search Kit developed by Burglary Squad to improve searches at crime scenes	–
1959	–	–	Guiler File of wanted persons installed as division standard	–
1959	–	–	Patrol Cars: Compact cars (30) placed into service for special assignment duty and improved efficiency	–
1959	–	–	Recruiting: Statute passed that only high school graduates may become policemen	–
1960	28-Nov	McNair, Sgt. George, Supervisor	Canine Unit deployed after a 15 week training course. Four compact station wagons with two-frequency radios, assigned and portable transistor receivers furnished for their patrol on foot, Ptl., Thomas Harvey and K9 Smokey and Arno	–
1960	–	–	Hamilton County Quadrant System established by the Hamilton County Police Association	–
1960	–	–	Power-driven rotary file system replace file drawers and is precursor to a master name index	–
1960	–	–	Uniforms issued, including replacement parts, and uniform allowance discontinued	–
1961	–	–	Cameras: Press-type cameras purchased for Traffic and Crime Bureaus	–
1961	4-Apr	–	Handcuffs: City buys handcuffs for department	–
1961	–	–	Firearms Training Program incorporates more double-action shooting for more realistic training	–
1961	–	–	Interceptors introduced to replace motorcycles	–
1961	–	–	Juvenile Bureau establishes offense file, by district, of juveniles who commit Auto Larceny, Burglary, purse snatching, robbery, and sex offenses	–
1961	–	–	Motorcycles, two-wheel, phased out due to high injuries	–
1961	–	–	Polygraph Operator civilianized with a civilian holding an M.A. in psychology	–
1961	–	–	Resuscitators furnished in a scout car in each of three suburban districts and standard first aid kits furnished for all other scout cars	–
1961	–	–	Transportation Section Procedure Manual published , copies to all division members	–
1962	–	–	Impound Lot moved to Fourteenth Street and Central Avenue	–
1962	–	–	Motorcycles: Servi-cars (three wheeled) reduced from eleven to eight and three additional patrol vehicles purchased	–
1962	–	–	Recruiting: Psychologist used to develop profile of attributes that police recruits should possess	–
1963	–	–	Color photographs of some suspects taken for easier identification by witnesses	–
1963	–	–	Police Science Program initiated at the University of Cincinnati	–
1963	–	–	Procedure Manual, containing standard operating procedures, and Operations Manual for Crowd Control issued to each member	–
1963	–	–	Uniform shirts improved and more comfortable winter headgear issued to traffic personnel	–
1964	–	–	Cameras: Two purchased for Traffic Bureau cars assigned exclusively to the expressway patrol	–
1964	5-Jul	–	District boundaries realigned	–
1964	–	–	District 7: First floor renovated and interview room added	–
1964	–	–	Firearms Training augmented with color-sound film to “place” officers a stress situation presenting them with a variety of situation in which accurate shooting is coupled with decision making in field of legality and safety	–
1964	–	–	Inspection Bureau augmented with a second captain assigned as deputy night inspector	–
1964	–	–	Patrol Wagons: increased by one, Patrol 7, and based at District 7	–
1964	–	–	Riot helmets purchased and issued 450 field personnel, as well as additional handcuffs, 25 “Handi-Talki” radios, extra stores of ammunition and tear gas, and training given in crowd control at the Target Range, all due to rising tide of unrest nationwide	–
1965	–	–	Block Parents Program developed by the Juvenile Bureau and staffed by the Parents Teachers Association with purpose to provide a “house of refuge” for juveniles for emergencies	–
1965	Jan	–	Master Name File activated and all reporting procedures transferred tot he Records Section, which began providing round-the-clock services	–
1965	Jul	–	District 2 piloted a program of “Troubled Children Under Twelve” and it expanded to all districts	–
1965	–	–	Dispatch: Station X increased its complement by four sergeants	–
1965	–	–	Police Community Relations Program developed under sponsorship of National Conference of Christians and Jews.	–
1966	13-Oct	–	Cincinnati Strangler case caused deployment of the division in 12-hour shifts for part of the year	–
1966	14-Mar	–	Tactical Unit established	–
1966	7-Aug	Reis, Elmer, Commander	Community Relations Bureau established	–
1966	–	–	Bolex 16mm movie camera with zoom lens and lighting equipment and three Polaroid cameras purchased	–
1966	–	–	Dispatch: Communications Center improved with the reorganization of consoles and 10 lines now coming into each.	–
1966	–	–	District 2 basement remodeled and to be used for storage and distribution of police equipment, uniform items, and firearms.	–
1966	–	–	Police Specialist classification established and detective allowed to fade out by attrition	–
1966	–	–	Public Utility employees empowered to assist Police Division with overtime parking enforcement	–
1967	–	Schott, Col. Jacob W.	Chief (26th), to 1971, 3 years, 10 months, died of heart attack	–
1967	Oct	–	School Resource Officer Program established with 7 officers being assigned to Juvenile Bureau to provide service to 96 public and 60 parochial schools in the city	–
1967	–	–	Cincinnati General Hospital and Cincinnati Police were connected by a direct telephone line installed by the Cincinnati Bell Telephone Company to maintain liaison with the hospital reference their capabilities to handle injured and sick cases	–
1967	–	–	Community Relations Section expanded from District Four to Districts Seven and Two	–
1967	–	–	Deputy Patrol Bureau Commander classification, a captain, created to control activities of the Patrol Bureau during the night season.	–
1967	–	–	Dispatch: Station X established the “Emergency Operational” system whereby one person dispatches and all other personnel answer telephone calls	–
1967	–	–	Identification Section came under the charge of a Lieutenant	–
1967	–	–	Patrol Cars: color changed from dark blue to light (City) blue	–
1967	–	–	Patrol Cars: complement increased by 14 cars	–
1967	–	–	Police Cadets began working as co-op students, alternating between working in the Division and attending college	–
1967	–	–	Riots caused the Division to deploy personnel in 12-hours shifts at times	–
1968	–	–	Female Impersonator file established at the Identification Section	–
1968	–	–	Patrol Cars: purchased with automatic transmissions, four doors, and eight cylinder engines. Station wagons equipped with studded snow tires during Winter	–
1968	–	–	Uniforms included short sleeve summer shirts	–
1969	–	–	Administrative Assistant to the Chief established to keep abreast of the changing methods and equipment and develop procedures for the Division.	–
1969	Aug	–	District 1 construction began, at 310 Lincoln Park Drive, completing the second floor and adding a third.	–
1969	Dec	–	Functions, except detention, move from City Hall to Alms and Doepke Building, 1st, 5th, and 6th floors, 222 E. Central Parkway, including Identification, Records, Crime Bureau, Property Room, Sow-up, Prosecutors Offices, and Criminal and Traffic Courts	–
1969	–	–	Administrative Service Bureau renamed from Personnel Bureau and includes personnel, training, fiscal, and property management	–
1969	–	–	Crime Lab: Hamilton County Coroner’s Office begins providing facilitates and equipment for firearms examination and evidence analysis.	–
1969	–	–	Crime Prevention Bureau was established with Community Relations and Juvenile	–
1969	–	–	Field Operations Bureau is established and combined the former Patrol, Traffic, and Crime Bureaus.	–
1969	–	–	Human Relations Training provided at Xavier University for all district supervisors and specialists	–
1969	–	–	Internal Investigations Section is established and brought under the Inspections Service Bureau, renamed from Inspection Bureau	–
1969	–	–	Preventative Service Section established to participate in public education programs aimed at reducing crime.	–
1969	–	–	Regional Computer Information Center established offering the county-wide police community rapid retrieval of critical police information, including state and national systems	–
1969	–	–	Technical Service Bureau established and contained Communications, Identification, Records, and Central Station.	–
1970	–	–	District 1 and District 2, both downtown districts, merge into one district at 310 Lincoln Park Drive, leaving 314 Broadway to Training and Fiscal and Property Management	–
1970	–	–	Motor Scooters purchased for patrolling downtown area	–
1970	–	Pack, Elizabeth	Policewomen: Cincinnati’s first policewoman retired on full length of service.	–
1970	–	–	Policewomen: First to wear a uniform assigned to Community Relations Section to better emphasize her role in public Relations for recruitment of policewomen	–
1971	10-Feb	Goodin, Col. Carl V.	Chief (27th), to December 14, 1975	–
1971	6-May	–	Police-Clergy team formed of clergy from around the city on a on call basis to assist in family trouble runs, suicides, and other incidents deemed advisable by officers	–
1971	27-Aug	–	Miracode System established at Criminalistics Section to help identify suspects of crimes.	–
1971	–	–	Community Sector (Com-Sec) policing established with $478,100 Ford foundation grant	–
1971	–	–	Dispatch: Communications operations moved from Eden Park to 310 Lincoln Park Drive and renamed CinCom, had six channels installed by Motorola in the ultra high frequency range and new portable radios replacing car radios	–
1971	–	–	District 1 transformed to Community Sector (ComSec) policing to provide for policing on a closer basis with the community, police officers take all calls within a sector	–
1971	–	–	Emergency number changed from 241-1212 to 765-1212	–
1971	–	–	Uniform changes, first since 1927, included a new Eisenhower jacket for use with the new radios, new gun belts and holsters also issued.	–
1972	–	–	Police-University of Cincinnati Consortium started, pooling resources of the police division and the university — the first of its kind in the country.	–
1972	23-Jul	–	Police Cadet program enhanced to include portions of Recruit Training between work and college quarters.	–
1972	–	Carl Lind, PMB Director	Program Management Bureau established with civilian head	–
1972	–	–	Patrol Cars: American Motors Matadors w/ 360 cu.in. engines purchased.	–
1974	–	–	Patrol Cars: American Motors Matadors w/ 360 cu.in. engines purchased.	–

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