Asheville Police Department

The Asheville Police Department (APD) is a nationally accredited police department and the primary law enforcement agency servicing a population of 72,789 people within 40.0 square miles (100 km2) of the municipality of Asheville, North Carolina.[1]

History

The APD was created in 1849 with a volunteer force of 5 officers and a captain. Because they were not authorized to carry weapons at the time, the volunteers had to weigh no less than 190 pounds (86 kg). Later the next year, the town constable became the first chief of police. After several changes to staff and procedures, the force was officially created by ordinance on November 1, 1875.

In 1932, the department was using vehicles and had the first radios put into use. The radios at the time were one-way and required the dispatcher to repeat the message for service multiple times, slowly and loudly as there was no way for the beat officer to acknowledge receipt of transmission. By 1934, the police cars were equipped with Thomson .45 caliber submachine guns and riot gas deployment devices. In 1938, the first two-way radios were placed into operation.[2]

Organization

The APD is divided into 3 districts: Adam (west), Baker (south/east), and Charlie (north/central). The department also has a variety of specialized units such as: K-9, Emergency Response Unit, Hazardous Devices Team, and Patrol Special Services.[3]

References

  1. ↑ http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/37/3702140.html
  2. ↑ http://www.ashevillenc.gov/departments/police/default.aspx?id=1802
  3. ↑ http://www.ashevillenc.gov/departments/police/police_services/default.aspx?id=3448

External links

Coordinates: 35°35′41″N 82°32′59″W / 35.5946°N 82.5498°W / 35.5946; -82.5498

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