Key West Police Department

Key West Police Department
Abbreviation KWPD
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdiction Key West, Florida, USA
Map of Key West Police Department's jurisdiction.
Size 7.4 square miles (19 km2)
Population 25,478 (2000)
General nature • Local civilian agency
Headquarters Key West, Florida

Agency executive
Website
Key West Police

The Key West Police Department (KWPD) is a full-service law enforcement agency servicing a population of 25,031 and 6 square miles[1] within the municipality of Key West, Florida.

History

The Key West Police Department (KWPD), officially the "City of Key West Police Department", was established in the early 1800s, having primary responsibilities in law enforcement and investigation within the City of Key West. The KWPD is one of the oldest police departments established in the United States.

The KWPD has a broad array of specialized services, including the Emergency Service Unit, K-9, harbor patrol, bomb squad and narcotics investigation and enforcement. As part of "High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area" (HIDTA) KWPD combats smuggling and performs anti-terrorism joint operations and investigations with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, "Joint Interagency Task Force" (JIATF) and other local, state and federal agencies. According to the department, its mission is "Protecting Paradise."

Law enforcement within the city of Key West originated with the incorporation of the city in 1828 with a town Marshal. The jail was the brig of a ship docked at the city port. By the turn of the 20th century, in 1900, the KWPD had a complement of 13 sworn officers.[2] On April 23, 1982, the KWPD was the "official" police force of the humorous secession campaign for an independent "Conch Republic".

In 1987, with the hiring of its first FBI Academy graduate as police chief, Key West began moving into a new and professional era, building credibility with other agencies and the public.

In 1991, community-oriented policing styles, procedures and programing was introduced.

Organization

The KWPD is divided into two bureaus:[3]

  • Operations Bureau
  • Administration Bureau

Controversy

In 1984 the KWPD was declared a criminal enterprise and several high-ranking officers of KWPD, including Deputy Police Chief Raymond Cassamayor, were arrested on federal charges of running a protection racket for cocaine smugglers.[4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Key West (city) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau Archived 2012-07-12 at WebCite
  2. ↑ City of Key West: Police Department History
  3. ↑ Key West Florida ~ Police Department
  4. ↑ https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D07E4D71539F932A35754C0A962948260&n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fOrganizations%2fF%2fFederal%20Bureau%20of%20Investigation%20 Key West Police Department Called a 'Criminal Enterprise' - New York Times
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