“The Old Building”

 In 1934, the department got a new station.  The department moved into a new City Hall building, constructed on the south side of SE Broadway Street, midway between Osceola and Watula Avenues.  The old building actually consisted of three rooms; the Chief’s Office, Records room, and a combination locker, briefing, and courtroom.  The detectives and squad room were located to the rear in what previously had been a church.  Jail cells were located in the alley between the station and the old church.

 During the summer of 1934, the Mayor nominated H.A. Fausett, Jr for re-appointment as Chief of Police.  The Council postponed voting on Fausett’s nomination.  On July 3, the Mayor was absent from the Council meeting.  The president of the Council, serving as the Acting Mayor, nominated John Spencer for Chief of Police.  Mr Fausett’s attorney protested, but after the city attorney reassured the Council their actions were legal, they voted John Spencer the new Chief of Police.

 In February of 1935, the City Council approved the purchase of two automatic shotguns and bullet proof windshield for the v-8 Ford and the following year the department purchased its first police patrol wagon.  In April of the same year, the Council allowed boy scouts to work as junior police on Saturdays for two weeks to educate pedestrians about safely crossing streets.  The scouts were paid $1.00 per day.

 On May 4, 1937, the first siren for a police vehicle was purchased.  October of the same year saw all slot machines outlawed by ordinance.  Council also ordered that signs be placed under each traffic light stating, “move on Green Only.”