The City's first charter established the Marshall as the local peace officer. An 1883 Charter amendment established the position of Chief of Police with authority to hire police officers. The Chief of Police was an elected position until 1890. The City Charter of 1890 created the Board of Police Commissioners which administered the Department and appointed officers. Following allegations of corruption, the Commission was abolished by the new Charter of 1896. The Chief of Police, appointed by the mayor, served as administrator of the Department. In 1962, the Department assumed authority for policing the harborfront, formerly a function of the Harbor Department.
Records of the Police Department's Public Information Unit, which was the focal point for the dissemination of information to the press and to the public regarding police activity. The unit also provided newspaper clippings and periodic publications to the department. The series consists mainly of correspondence with citizens and organizations, along with some internal departmental memoranda. Topics include commendations for individual officers, complaints, invitations, and requests for auction items. Note that there is a gap in the correspondence for 1985 and most of 1986. Press guidelines and exchanges with the local newspaper's troubleshooter columnists are also included in the records.
Records are open to the public.
[Item and date], Public Information Unit Records, Record Series 6404-01, Box [number], Folder [number]. Seattle Municipal Archives.
Press releases from the unit can be found in Record Series 6404-03.