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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 Police Employee.
In 1980, Corinne Nebiolo was hired as the first female police officer.
In 1990, the Police Department was moved from City Hall to its present location at 576 Main Street.
In April 2009 the department established four Core Principles to follow: 1) Integrity 2) Professionalism 3) Service to the Community 4) Courage
In April 2009 the department developed its first motto: Quality Service to the Community Through Continuous Improvement.
DEPARTMENT STATISTICS:
- The 2009 authorized strength of the police department is 86 sworn officers, 12 Dispatchers, 4 Civilian Clerks, 1 Secretary, 1 full time Animal Control Officer, 2 Civilian Traffic Maintenance personnel.
- From January 2009 through April 2009 the department went through a major transformation. A new Chief, Deputy Chief, two Captains, three Lieutenats, four Sergeants and one Detective were promoted.
- In 2008 the department handled 46,501 calls for service this is a 30% increase in calls over the past 4 years.
- In 2008 department members made 2,469 arrests, conducted 4,022 motor vehicle stops and investigated 1,651 motor vehicle accidents.
- The 2008/2009 fiscal budget for the police department is $7.6 million.
- Torrington is the largest city in Litchfield County Connecticut and is the center for all Social Serivces and State Government entities. Torrington also has one of only two full service hospitals in the county. The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital serves the Torrington area and the surrounding towns.
- Torrington was designated by the United States Census Bureau as the largest micropolitan area in the United States, serving a surrounding area population of 189,000 people.
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