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6400-00. Seattle Police Department

 Record Group
Identifier: 6400-00
The City’s first charter established the Marshall as the local peace officer. An 1883 Charter amendment established the position of Chief of Police with authority to hire police officers. The Chief of Police was an elected position until 1890. The City Charter of 1890 created the Board of Police Commissioners which administered the Department and appointed officers. Following allegations of corruption, the Commission was abolished by the new Charter of 1896. The Chief of Police, appointed by the mayor, served as administrator of the Department. In 1962, the Department assumed authority for policing the harborfront, formerly a function of the Harbor Department.
Creator: Seattle (Wash.). Police Dept.

Found in 23 Collections and/or Records:

Board of Police Commissioners Minutes

 Series — Box 1
Identifier: 6400-01
Abstract

Proceedings of Board of Police Commissioners meetings, 1890-1896.

Dates: 1890-1896

Police Department Publications

 Series
Identifier: 6401-01
Scope and Contents note

Newsletters published by the Police Department as well as the Seattle Police Officers' Guild. Also includes brochures and several informational packets produced by the department.

Dates: 1963-2007

Seattle Civilian Defense Training Manual

 Series — Box 1
Identifier: 6405-01
Abstract

Manual for World War II air raid wardens in Seattle.

Dates: 1941-1942

Police Department Moving Images

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 6401-03
Abstract

Videotape from the Seattle Police Department.

Dates: Majority of material found within 1980-2005

The Guardian Newspaper

 Series — Box 1
Identifier: 6401-02
Dates: 1972-2017

Police Department Women's Division/Night Patrol Reports

 Series — Box 1
Identifier: 1802-C4
Abstract

Monthly reports on the activities of the Seattle Police Department's Women's Division Night Patrol, 1934-1939.

Dates: 1934-1939

Police Department Annual Reports

 Series
Identifier: 1802-H8
Scope and Contents note Seattle Police Department Annual Reports include a variety of statistics, including cause of arrests, occupations, nativity, and age of persons arrested. Police Court reports, where they exist, are included in this series. Police Telephone and Telegraph System reports are included in some years, as are reports of the Woman's Protective Division. The 1904 report of the Humane Officer is included in this series as well. By 1945, the reports include geographical statistics on crime rates and...
Dates: 1894-2009

Police Chief Signature File

 Series
Identifier: 6401-04
Abstract

Chronological file of all documents signed by the Chief or Acting Chief.

Dates: 1978-1994

Police Department Subject Files

 Series
Identifier: 6403-01
Abstract

Files collected on various topics by Police Department staff.

Dates: 1888-1996

Finance and Planning Section Records

 Series
Identifier: 6403-02
Abstract

Records of the Police Department's Finance and Planning Unit.

Dates: 1988-1994

Inspectional Services Division Records

 Series
Identifier: 6406-01
Abstract

Records of the Police Department's Inspectional Services Division.

Dates: 1974-1994

Inspections Reports

 Series
Identifier: 6406-02
Abstract

Reports created by the Police Department's Inspectional Services Division.

Dates: 1972-1994

Manuals, Policies, and Unit Orders

 Series
Identifier: 6406-03
Abstract

Manuals, policies, and other documents collected by the Police Department's Inspectional Services Division.

Dates: 1941-1992

Police Academy Records

 Series
Identifier: 6408-01
Abstract

Records relating to Seattle's Police Academy.

Dates: 1938-1972

Individual Files

 Series
Identifier: 6407-01
Abstract

Name file relating to current and former members of the Police Department, both civilian and sworn.

Dates: 1861-1995

Industrial Relations Unit Records

 Series
Identifier: 6407-02
Abstract

Records relating to the Police Department's Industrial Relations Unit.

Dates: 1969-1984

Public Information Unit Records

 Series
Identifier: 6404-01
Abstract

Records of the Police Department's Public Information Unit.

Dates: 1923-1995

Newspaper Clippings

 Series
Identifier: 6404-02
Abstract

News clippings related to the Police Department.

Dates: 1920-1996

Jail Unit Records

 Series
Identifier: 6410-01
Abstract

Police Department records relating to the City Jail.

Dates: 1962-1978

Water and Air Operations Records

 Series
Identifier: 6410-02
Abstract

Records of the Police Department's Water and Air Units.

Dates: 1968-1979

Records and Evidence Unit Records

 Series
Identifier: 6410-03
Abstract

Records of the Police Department's Records and Evidence Unit.

Dates: 1969-1990

Police Department Photographs

 Series
Identifier: 6401-05
Abstract

Photographs, mostly group portraits, of various officers and patrols of the Seattle Police Department.

Dates: 1900-1988; Majority of material found within 1910-1940

Police Department Audio Recordings

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 6401-06
Abstract

Audio recordings of police radio activity during the WTO protests in Seattle. Recordings were created by the Seattle Police Department.

Dates: 1999-2000

Placeholder text The Seattle Municipal Archives holdings document the history, development, and activities of the agencies and elected officials of the City of Seattle. Descriptions of selected records are also available through the Library of Congress National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections and through Archives West.

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