Interesting Facts About the Torrington Police Department
The TPD Patch
This shoulder patch is worn on each officers uniform. The patch was designed in 1987.
The contour of the patch illustrates the geographic boundaries of Torrington as seen on the map. The house in the center represents the birthplace of John Brown.
Historical Facts
In 1739, Ebenezer Lyman Jr. was appointed the First Constable of Torrington.
On July 3, 1888, the Board of Warden and Burgesses established the Torrington Police Department and named Leslie Baldwin as Police Chief for the Borough. Also hired on this date were five men who were named policemen for one year. They were Frank Briggs, badge #1, Ernest T. Huke, badge #2, Charles D. Shoemaker, badge #3, Joseph W. Payne, badge #4, and Charles W. Stickles, badge #5.
Baldwin was being paid $.25 per hour for his services when he worked.
In 1893, James J. Saunders was appointed Chief and records show that he worked from 10:00 AM till 12:00 midnight seven days per week. His pay was $2.00 per day. This is the first sign of structured hours and he had to buy his own uniform.
In 1898, the first Police Station and jail cells were built. A Meriden man, Arthur Wallace, was the first man to be confined in the jail.
In 1923, Chief William Nevin unlocked the Police Department doors for the last time and then threw away the key. Saying that no longer would there be a need for a key, because the Department would now be providing service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
In 1923, Miss Harriet Parker became the City's first Police Woman.
In 1992, the Police Department was moved from City Hall to its present location at 576 Main Street.
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