NewCentury

Memphis police supervisors continued to use horse-drawn buggies to oversee foot patrols in 1915. The vehicles at the end of the line are the first two motorized patrol wagons that were acquired in 1910, one was electric and the other gasoline.

line of four horse-drawn buggies with motor car at rear

TENNESSEE LAWMAN

Honoring the Men and Women behind the Badge

The twentieth century ushered in many new technologies and greater sophistication in police work. The use of automobiles and radio communications greatly enhanced patrol work. Concerns for traffic safety also expanded duty of the police force. Scientific investigative techniques brought further specialization to detective bureaus.

Tennessee Highway Patrolmen weighed trucks with portable scales to be certain they did not exceed the weight limit for commercial vehicles.

patrolman placing scale under rear truck wheel as another patrolman looks on

The Nashville Lieutenant’s Desk at headquarters was where prisoners were brought after begin arrested. The desk was the first step in expanded information gathering by the detective bureau. In this May 1926 photo, Lieutenant Walter A. Gibbons records the name and history of a culprit along with the nature of his offence on the blotter before sending him to the Identification Bureau and then to the lockup. (Nashville Banner photo)

officer with prisoner in front of counter with bars and screen

Chattanooga Mounted Officer C. Ray Bryan talked with a patrolman at a Gamewell System call box about to report into the headquarters on the half hour. The Gamewell System was first installed in 1909 and served as the only communication between headquarters and the patrolman on the beat, unless the officer used a private or business telephone.

mounted officer talking to foot patrolman next to call box on electric post

The Memphis Police Emergency Car was dispatched from central headquarters when reports of a burglary, hold-up, riot, or other disturbance call was received. The detail worked in pairs on eight-hour shifts. The car was equipped with a siren and “repeating shotguns.” Emergency car officers from left to right, including those in the car, were W. G. Jamison, E. H. Crume, F. L. Henderson, J. J. Vannucci, W. M. Crogan, and S. T. Emberton. Emergency men often caught burglars or highwaymen still on or near the scene of the crime.

automobile with two officers inside and two each on either side

Tennessee continued to upgrade highway signage to enhance traffic safety. Memphis Division Assistant Chief Clifford West, left, showed off a new speed limit sign and Highway Patrolman Chester Hamby, right, posed with a road sign warning motorists of a dangerous curve ahead.

patrolman standing next to traffic sign showing 49 mile speed limit patrolman next to traffic sign showing curve to the left

The Nashville Police Department in stalled radios for communication with officers in squad cars in 1936. Radio Patrol cars in the ten zones of the city were tracked on a map in the radio room that contained lights to indicate the car’s status.

three men in radio room with large map on wall

The two most important new law enforcement tools introduced in the twentieth century was the automobile and the radio. The Memphis Police Department acquired its first two motorized patrol wagons in 1912, one was electric and the other gasoline. Additional automobile followed, primarily as emergency cars to respond to crime scenes. Next came vehicles for supervisors to monitor patrol districts. The Nashville Police Department added the first motorized vehicle was added to the force in 1911, an “auto patrol wagon.” The position of Automobile Driver was added to the positions on the force. Under Chief of Police Lon Foster, by the early thirties the Nashville police owned 20 automobiles and 10 motorcycles. Police automobiles were similarly introduced in other cities.

The motor car also created new enforcement issues for police across the state. By the late teens and early twenties automobiles were a growing nuisance and danger on city streets. Ordinances were passed to establish standards for the operation of vehicles. The newness of the technology of motorized vehicles impacted both safety and resistance to enforcement. Cities established Traffic Departments consisting mainly of “corner men” and a few motorcycle officers. The corner man was essential to traffic flow on the increasingly congested streets. These traffic officers were assigned to a specific corner in the downtown district to manage traffic flow.

Chief Will D. Lee implemented the first radio system in Memphis Police Department in 1929. The transmitter or the on-way radio system was located at the Barksdale Station and the first aerial consisted of a wire strung out of a window to the top of a nearby tree. Receivers were placed in 12 ward cars. Captain M. A. Hinds took charge of the radio room. Nashville Police Department Chief Lon Foster activated a two-way communication system in 1936. The central control unit was installed at headquarters and the antenna was located atop the National Trust Building. Radio Motor Patrolmen were assigned to the Radio Motor-Patrol to drive assigned districts.

Traffic safety on the roadways of the state led to the creation of the Tennessee Highway Patrol under Chief J. O. Davis. Fifty five patrolmen were selected and began patrolling Tennessee highways in 1930. Sergeant John L. Sullivan, a decorated veteran of World War I, was the first patrolman selected.

uniformed officer on low platform in center of intersection

Memphis Traffic Officer Vincent Lucarini worksed a downtown corner ca. 1920. The “corner men” were essential to the flow of traffic since there were no traffic lights. The traffic signal was mounted atop a staff where Lucarini stood. “Stop” and “Go” instructions were painted on panels to signal drivers.

Nashville Police Department radio equipped patrol units in 1936 were marked “Radio Motor-Patrol, NPD” on the front doors. The patrolmen were wearing the uniform of the period, including the circle/six-point star style breast badge and corresponding hat badge. The officer on the left was Radio Patrolman Carmen Earsel “Big Jim” Dorman who wore badge number 13. The shoulder patch was a shield with the same design as painted on the door of the patrol car. The patch was worn half way between the shoulder and elbow, as most early law enforcement patches were worn. Radio Motor Patrol cars were standard models with standard shift, no power equipment and no heaters. Two large batteries in the truck powered the radio and were plugged into a recharger at headquarters. The only emergency light was a red light attached to the bumper arms in front of the grill.

two uniformed officer standing beside 1936 police car

Wilson County Sheriff Perry T. Burnett in his office at the county jail in May 1939. As other sheriffs in most counties, he and his family lived in the jail during his service as county sheriff from 1936 to 1940. Economics meant that many local sheriff's were slow to get the latest technology and the telephone remained Sheriff Burnett's only means of communication..

man in hat sitting at roll-top desk

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