Erie Police Dept

The City Charter of 1851 organized the Erie Police Department. In 1856, the Erie Police Department consisted of the Chief of Police and three Patrolmen. By 1888, the compliment grew to 25 Officers, who walked foot patrols throughout the City of Erie. There was one horse drawn wagon, which was used to transport prisoners. Some officers used bicycles to patrol the City of Erie and were called Roundsmen. Between the years of 1938 through 1941, the Erie Police attempted to meet the FBIs National Standard of two police officers per 1,000 residents. The compliment of police officers rose to 136 officers during this time. The City of Erie was broken down into six patrol areas, which were patrolled by Officers in patrol cars, 12 Motorcycles Units, who began to focus on traffic enforcement and ten Officers walking on foot mostly in the downtown area. Training for Police Officers was limited and mostly based on life experience, until 1960, when the City formed the Erie Police Acad...