This site was first published in May of 2009
Metropolitan Police Officer 1912
2001 - When we rode to Washington D.C. for National Police Week. The background is the Whitehouse at 1600 Pennsylvanis Ave.
METROPOLITAN POLICE for the DISTRICT of COLUMBIA
PAST
PRESENT
Psalm 23:4
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me".
* 1803 In September the City of Washington created the position of Superintendent, pay for this position was $200 per annum plus fines.
* 1820 The city is divided into 6 wards, each ward hires 1 "Nightwatch" for $250 annually.
* 1825 Due to a fire at the Capitol the first Regular Night Police are hired. Two
men, who only guard the Capitol
* 1842 Yet another change in Washington, one man is in charge given the rank of
Captain at $1,000 annually. Five regular guard at $35 a month and ten at
$15 a month
* 1857 ELECTION DAY - Trouble makers get involved in the election process so
badly that Mayor MaGruder requested the President call out the Marines. 100
Marines march on the rioters after taking on stones and gunfire. The Marines
are forced to return fire, after all is said and done 8 were killed, 1 innocent
bystander is killed, 21 are wounded.
At least 10 officers are injured on duty with one being shot in the eye
* 1860 Police abuse their authority so badly that it is decided they will be totally over
hauled.
AS THE CIVIL WAR WINDSED DOWN, AND WITH WASHINGTON BEING A
BORDERTOWN, MANY WITH LOYALTY TO THE SOUTH ARE DISMISSED
FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
As Washington grew so did the crime. As the city was being formed it experimented with many different ways to police the city. It was not until 1861 that the agency now known as "The Metropolitan Police for the District of Columbia" were properly formed.
* 1861 The Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia are
officially formed.
Congress entertains, " The Metropolitan Police Bill". By August both houses
pass the bill and President Lincoln signs the act. This act thoroughly
reorganizes the Washington Police and creates: " The Metropolitan Police for the District of Columbia". This new agency
consists of:
1 - Superintendent
10 - Sergeants
150 - Patrolman
The expenses are shared by both the District of Columbia and the Federal
Government. The Fed's are to pay the officers salaries and the District are
to pay for the facilities.
REQUIREMENTS TO JOIN:
Must Be able to read and write
Must be a US Citizen
Must never have been indicted or convicted of a crime
Must stand at least 5 foot six inches
Must be between the age of 25 to 45
Must have been a local resident for the past two years
Must be in good health and mind, and of good moral character
For the new MPDC there were 1,500 applicants for 160 applicants
What I post here comes from several sources. I have found that some "factual" sources conflict with one another. For example, several sources say that the MPDC Officer assigned to protect President Lincoln the night he was murdered snuck out during the show and was at a Tavern. On the History Channel they say he was sitting with the common folk. At the end of the day I guess you have to decide for yourselves. Since the current MPDC were born with the stroke of a pen by President Lincoln, and he is such a historical figure in America. I will focus more on the death of that great President, and the involvement of the MPDC that fateful night at the Ford Theatre. This will be followed by additional assassinations.
*1865, April 15th
While MPDC Officer John F Parker sit's in a Tavern next to Ford
theatre a lone gunman places a .44 caliber handgun against
the head of President Lincoln. This changes history in A America
for ever. Would Officer Parker had made a difference, we will
never know. What we do know is he wasn't at his post and
President Lincoln was killed. Officer Parker was cleared of
all wrong doing but several years later was released from duty.
Mrs. Lincoln held him to blame and could not understand why
he was never punished.
Should there be any material on this site that the DC Metropolitan Police feels is offensive or in anyway
disrespects the MPDC please let me know and it will be removed. All photos and words on this site are of
my own doing. The Washington DC Metropolitan Police are in no way connected to this site. Please
remember, I am not a writer or a web master. Just a cop with a very respectful hobby who is trying to
share information. There will be mistakes on here - you will have to deal with it.. :)
As a collector of Police Memorabilia I feel these collectables represent the sacrifice that we, our friends and families have made over the years. Starting with the public and media bashing, to the lack of support from our cities and towns. Today it seems that many Police Departments across the country have had our leaders replaced with "business supervisors" . The frustrations in Law Enforcement grow higher and higher. Not to forget the agencies who care more about image and their pockets, then doing what our fathers before us intended us to do. History has shown us how this type of mentality can direct us to tragedies such as 9-11, yet it continues on...
For those of us who put others before ourselves, we have truly chosen a warrior profession. We may go to our graves poor , but we will be wealthy when we are in the arms of God.
William H. Crook MPDC
The Metropolitan Police Officer closest to President Lincoln was William H. Crook. It is his belief that had Officer Parker been on his post that President Lincoln would not have been killed. Officer Crook was a loyal Officer to the President and worried of him being assassinated often. On the day President Lincoln was shot he held over for three hours, ( 4PM to 7PM) because Officer Parker was three hours late. Officer Crook was assigned to the Whitehouse for five Presidents. He wrote several books about his times at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave and was always respectful in every way. Metropolitan Police Officers like William Crook don't seem to be the ones who people tend to remember. It's the screw ups like Parker that always seem to stick in peoples minds. History can sometimes be cruel, but that is often because it is often written down with selfish intentions.
Must be a rookie, I would have parked beside him:)
The larger picture shows the two on the far right asleep. Some things never change !
The old days,(92) with the Boston Transit Police
In 2000 we rode down from Mass for the Law Ride
*President of the United States of America Abraham Lincoln and the D.C. Police*
April 15th, 1865
01.20.2013
Last known photo of President Lincoln with his son Todd.
The booth that the President was in when he was muredered at Ford theatre.
This is a sketch of where Parker was "supposed" to be at.
Ford Theatre Washington D.C. This photo was taken a couple of days after his murder.
The actual gun used by Booth to murder the President. This weapon is stored for display at Ford Theatre in Washington D.C.
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The Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department
Established 1861
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Police log listing the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln,
11:00 p.m., April 14, 1865
The District of Columbia Metropolitan Police blotter lists the assassination among the more mundane police business of April 14, 1865. The entry begins:
"At this hour the melancholy intelligence of the assassination of Mr. Lincoln, President of the U.S, at Fords Theater was brought to this office, and information obtained from the following persons goes to show that the assassin is a man named J. Wilks Booth..."
A little D.C. Police History from before 1861
Our Law Enforcement for Washington D.C. - The Nations Capitol
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So just who is Checking Out My Site and Where are They From?
