Miscellaneous

JM
(MIAMI POLICE DEPARTMENT)
Where It All Began,,,

In the summer of 1896, 312 original "Miamians" incorporated the new municipality and elected their first law enforcement officer – Young F. Gray – who had one time had been a dynamite expert with Henry Flagler's construction company.

Marshall Gray patrolled the original streets of the Miami in a goat drawn cart, collecting stray dogs and arresting the infrequent 'outlaw.' But being the town's top cop was not his only job. Gray was also Miami's building inspector, street superintendent, sanitation inspector, and tax collector.

Changes In Charters, Changes In Chiefs

Big changes came to Miami's law enforcement in 1905. The city's new charter extended the marshal's term in office from one year to two. Two years later, another charter abolished the marshal's office and established the Miami Police Department – its first Chief being Frank B. Hardee.

The population of Miami had grown to 5-thousand by 1910, and in 1911 Robert Ferguson became the city's second police chief. Not only did Ferguson establish the Desk Sergeant position, he also created the ranks of captain and lieutenant along with a plainclothes division, mounted patrols, a traffic squad and motorcycle patrols.

1916 ushered in another era of change when Raymond Dillon was elected Chief of Police. Dillon hired the department's first female officer, Ida Fisher, and replaced the horse-drawn wagons with Ford patrol cars.
Leslie Quigg took of the Chief's mantle in 1921. Under his leadership, the Miami Police Department grew to more than 200 members spread out over four divisions – traffic, detectives, vice, and motors.

The War Years

During the 1930's and 1940's the Miami Police Department marked a number of milestones. Not only was a police radio system established, but so was the Police Benevolent Association. In 1944, the first black police officers were trained and sent to patrol the city's black communities under Miami Police Chief Charles Nelson. In 1949, females began training at the Police Academy and became sworn members of the department under Chief Walter Headley.

Chief Headley also created the Black Precinct in 1950 that would remain in effect for 12 years. Other highlights of Headley's term include the establishment of a truly professional Police Academy, the introduction of the 'drunkometer,' and construction of a modern scientific crime lab.

The 70's

Throughout the 1970's the Miami Police Department strove to improve relations with the community. In 1974, Chief Bernard Garmire and Chief Garland Watkins established the Public Service Aide program.
Under the leadership of Chief Kenneth Harms in the late 70's, the Miami Police Department developed one of the first Integrated Criminal Apprehension Programs.

The 80's and Beyond

In 1985, Clarence Dickson, the first black admitted to the Police Academy in 1960, became the Chief in 1985. Three and a half years later, Dickson was replaced by another black officer, Chief Perry Anderson-- the sixth chief in 19 years. Under his Anderson's guidance, the Do The Right Thing Program was introduced. This highly successful program, tailored to the young students in Miami, rewarded youngsters that excelled academically and made significant contributions to their communities. The Miami program evolved into a national corporation and spawned new chapters across the country.

In 1991, Chief Calvin Ross was selected to lead the Department. During his term, the City of Miami administrative structure was dramatically transformed into a metropolis composed of 11 separate Neighborhood Enhancement Teams.

In 994, the City Manager tapped Donald Warshaw as the new Chief of Police. Under Chief Warshaw, the Department received the nationally sought-after recognition of being accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) standards. In late 1998, Chief Warshaw was relieved as chief by Chief William O'Brien.

As the 1990's came to a close, Miami experienced a continuing crime rate decline. In 1997, the crime rate dropped by 5%, the following year saw an 11% decrease in major crimes with the same percentage decline in 1999.

In 2000, Chief Raul Martinez, the Department's first Hispanic chief, was selected to succeed Chief O'Brien. Under Chief Martinez's leadership, the Miami crime rates continued to decline – an 11% decrease in 2001 followed by a 4% decline in 2002.

In early 2003, Chief Martinez retired, and after a nation-wide search, Chief John F. Timoney, the former Police Commissioner of the Philadelphia Police Department, was selected to lead the Miami Police Department.

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