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Seattle Municipal Archives Finding Aids

6400-00. Seattle Police Department

 Record Group
Identifier: 6400-00
The position of Marshall was created by the 1869 City Charter, a position with traditional policing duties. The first time the word “police” was used in legislative language may be Ordinance 66 (“In relation to Police powers”), passed between November 13th, 1874 and January 22nd, 1875. The 1875 amendments to the City Charter gave the city power “to establish and maintain a day and night police” and provided that the city could elect or appoint as many police officers as deemed necessary. Concurrently, however, the language about a City Marshall was maintained. Ordinance 97 (“An ordinance concerning offenses and disorderly conduct“), passed March 3rd, 1876, still referred to a City Marshall and a Deputy Marshall. The City Charter Amendments of 1883 included a house cleaning section, stating that any reference in the Charter to the Marshall should be construed to mean Chief of Police, who had the authority to hire police officers. This amendment was the first time the term Chief of Police appeared in the Charter: “The Chief of Police shall be the peace officer of the city, and must execute all process issued by the police justice […]. He shall execute vigilant control over the peace and quiet of the city; shall be the keeper of the city prison, […]. Wherever the word marshal occurs in said act the same shall be taken to mean Chief of Police […].” Until 1890, the Chief of Police was elected by voters of the City for a one-year term. The Freeholders City Charter of 1890 created a five-member Board of Police Commissioners to oversee and administer the operations of the Police Department. The Commission, chaired by the Mayor, had the authority to appoint the Chief of Police and appoint officers: “The Police Department shall be under the management of a Police Commission, to consist of the mayor, who shall be chairman of the commission, and four (4) police commissioners [… who] shall hold the office for four (4) years.” Following allegations of corruption, the Board of Police Commissioners was abolished by the new Freeholders City Charter of 1896. The Chief of Police, appointed by the mayor, served as administrator of the Department: “There shall be a police department, which shall consist of a Chief of Police and as many subordinate officers, detective officers, and regular and special policemen as the city council shall from time to time by ordinance prescribe. […] The mayor shall appoint the Chief of Police […] and may remove him in his discretion […]. The mayor shall prescribe rules and regulations […] for the government and control of the police department.” A City Charter Amendment in 1936 provided for the Chief of Police to be appointed for a five year term of office. A new Freeholders City Charter was adopted March 12, 1946. Under its provisions, the term of the Chief of Police was not specified. In 1962, the Department assumed authority for policing the harborfront, formerly a function of the Harbor Department.

Found in 24 Collections and/or Records:

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

Public Information Unit Records

 Series
Identifier: 6404-01
Abstract

Records of the Seattle Police Department's Public Information Unit.

Dates: 1975-1995

Police Department Press Releases

 Series — Box 1
Identifier: 6404-03
Abstract

Press releases issued by the Seattle Police Department.

Dates: 1981-1995

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

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: 1923-2007

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 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

Inspectional Services Division Records

 Series
Identifier: 6406-01
Abstract

Records of the Police Department's Inspectional Services Division.

Dates: 1974-1994

Industrial Relations Unit Records

 Series
Identifier: 6407-02
Abstract

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

Dates: 1969-1984

Finance and Planning Section Records

 Series
Identifier: 6403-02
Abstract

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

Dates: 1988-1994

Inspections Reports

 Series
Identifier: 6406-02
Abstract

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

Dates: 1972-1994

Police Chief Signature File

 Series
Identifier: 6401-04
Abstract

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

Dates: 1978-1994

Jail Unit Records

 Series
Identifier: 6410-01
Abstract

Police Department records relating to the City Jail.

Dates: 1962-1978

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 Academy Records

 Series
Identifier: 6408-01
Abstract

Records relating to Seattle's Police Academy.

Dates: 1938-1977

Police Department Subject Files

 Series
Identifier: 6403-01
Abstract

Files collected on various topics by Police Department staff.

Dates: 1907-1998

News Clippings

 Series
Identifier: 6404-02
Abstract

News clippings related to the Police Department.

Dates: 1928-1997; Majority of material found within 1980-1994

Water and Air Operations Records

 Series
Identifier: 6410-02
Abstract

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

Dates: 1968-1979

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

Records and Evidence Unit Records

 Series
Identifier: 6410-03
Abstract

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

Dates: 1952-1997

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