FWPD.org is Fort Wayne Police Department
Title
Fort Wayne Police Department
Description
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.
The first Chief of Police, E.B. Smith was named in 1881. Mayor Franklin Randall had a city building erected known as the "Hoosegow" to house offenders. This log structure was located just east of the present Allen County Courthouse. It provided three iron cages on the first floor for male guests and there were quarters on the second floor fo women guests.
