Sheboygan Police Recognizes 120 years

The following story was written by Bill Wangemann. 
Bill is a city alderperson and also the city historian.
He is also a retired police officer from the Sheboygan Police Department.

On June 16, 1888, the first police officers appeared on the streets of Sheboygan.  The department in those days consisted of six patrolmen and was led by Chief William Root. 

Dressed in heavy blue woolen trousers and a long blue frock coat with a double row of 12 shiny brass buttons, the early policemen cut a dashing figure.  On his chest he wore a bright, six-pointed, star-shaped badge, the symbol of his office.  On his head the officer wore a tall, light gray, hard-felt helmet adorned with a hat badge consisting of two curved laurel leaf branches.  The helmet not only protected him from weather, but also gave him some measure of protection from blows to the head.  He carried a nightstick, a notebook and a rather small revolver under his double breasted coat.

Each officer was issued a small leather-bound black book in which the rules and regulations of the department were printed.  One of the rules ordered the officer to carry the book with him at all times, and to study it diligently and to strictly conform to its rules at all times.

Officers were encouraged to be free of envy, jealously or other unfriendly feelings toward fellow officers or superiors whom officers ordered to treat with respect.

All officers were prohibited from standing on corners discussing politics or engaging in gossip with citizens.  In times of extreme peril, the officer was expected to act with coolness and firmness.  The rules further stated, "At no time will an officer lose his temper, use profanity or use harsh, violent or course language." 

When asked a question by a citizen, the officer was not to answer in a short careless manner, he was further cautioned not to engage in unnecessary conversation.  In short, he was expected to lay aside all human feelings, much as today's police officers are.

To file an application for appointment as a police officer, the candidate had to submit a handwritten document that stated his height, weight, chest measurement, his schooling, and place of birth.  Each applicant had to be able to read, write and speak English understandably.  The applicant had to be of good character, good health and have no record of violating the law.  The applicant had to be not less than age 25 or over age 35 or under 5 feet 9 inches or weigh less than 155 pounds. 

Police officers received little or no training.  They started out as special officers who were much like part-time employees.  The "specials" were called to duty when needed, such as during a major fire or if an officer called in sick.  As openings occurred through resignation or retirement, the special officer would eventually move up to the position of full-time officer.  Once appointed as a full-time member, he would be assigned to the night shift as a beat patrol officer, where he would spend many long, cold, wet and always lonely hours patrolling his beat.

Trudging the dark streets checking doors of business places and alleys, the officer kept watch as the city slept.  Little has changed, even though the officers of today keep watch over their assigned areas from a warm squad car during the late-night hours.  Although they still face periods of monotony, much as the beat men of old did, the officers of today have one great advantage - communications. 

If a beat officer of old discovered a burglary in progress, he was faced with the decision as to whether to try and take the burglar alone to to run to a police box and call for help, during which time the thief could escape.

There was little to induce young men to choose law enforcement.  The pay was low (a little over a dollar a day), they worked 12-hour shifts and there were no days off. 

Trivia:  For many years, aldermen, bridge tenders and cemetery sextants carried badges and had full arrest powers.

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