La Crosse, WI
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Apr 14
This post has 25 like(s)
City of La Crosse Police Department
This post has 25 like(s)
City of La Crosse Police Department
The La Crosse Police Department is celebrating its one hundred and fifty-sixth birthday today. In 1870, newly elected Mayor Theodore Rodolf fulfilled his campaign promise to create an official police force. On April 12, Mayor Rodolf nominated John Simonton as the first La Crosse Police Chief. Chief Simonton, a former Civil War Army Colonel, was joined by Patrolmen Adam Jacobus, Theodore Loomis, Tom Daley, George Knudson, Henry Clem, Peter Moe, and Peter Wirz to make up the very first La Crosse Police Department. Just one Officer was on duty at any given time and patrolled on foot, on horseback, or in a patrol buggy pulled by a horse. With no radio or communication system, Officers were left to their own devices, unable to call for help or back-up. When hired, they were issued a night stick, Smith & Wesson revolver, and a copy of the “Rules for The Government of The Police Force of the City of La Crosse”. Times have certainly changed since those early days. We started in 1870 with 8 sworn Officers and have grown to 100 sworn Officers today! While we continue to patrol on foot, you will also see officers in squad cars, on E-bikes, and even in a boat! We have radio communications, body-worn cameras, drones, and a very robust training program for new and current officers. Officers are engaging and building relationships with multiple community partners. We have created specialized programs, including our K-9 Unit (2 Therapy K-9s and 4 tactical K-9s), Neighborhood Resource Officers (NROs), School Resource Officers (SROs), and our Community Resource Unit (CRU), to better serve the La Crosse Community. No matter the changes we’ve seen since 1870, or those we’ll surely see in the future, we remain thankful for the men and women who have served the La Crosse Police Department and for our community, which continues to support us. It is our honor to serve you. Happy Birthday LCPD! *Historical information paraphrased from the writings of retired LCPD Lt. Dan Marcou. Picture courtesy of the La Crosse County Historical Society.
This post has 25 like(s)
City of La Crosse Police Department