WaSMAR6408_01.xml Guide to the Seattle Police Academy Records Seattle Police Academy Records Finding aid prepared by Julie Kerssen Seattle Municipal Archives 2026

PO Box 94728 600 Fourth Avenue, Floor 3 Seattle 98124-4728 archives@seattle.gov http://www.seattle.gov/cityarchives

This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2026-05-19. Description is written in: English, Latin script. Finding aid based on DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard), 2nd Edition. Seattle Municipal Archives Police Academy Records Seattle (Wash.). Police Dept. 6408-01 0.4 cubic feet 1 box 1938-1977 Records relating to Seattle's Police Academy. English

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.

Series mainly consists of notebooks kept by students which demonstrate the topics and procedures they were taught in the police training school. The Ottersbach notebooks also include his completed exams. Rosters of regular police classes from 1938 through 1977 are also in these records.

Records are open to the public.

[Item and date], Police Academy Records, Record Series 6408-01. Box [number], Folder [number]. Seattle Municipal Archives.

Law enforcement--Washington (State)--Seattle Occupational training--Washington (State)--Seattle Rosters of Regular Police Classes 1938-1977 1 1 Police Academy Notebook - Howard Hartsfield 1952 1 2 Police Training School Notebook - F.W. Ottersbach 1947 1 3 Police Training School Notebook - F.W. Ottersbach 1947 1 4 Police Training School Notebook - F.W. Ottersbach 1947 1 5