Key West Police Department

The Key West Police Department (KWPD) is a full-service law enforcement agency servicing a population of 25,031 and 6 square miles [ [http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/12/1236550.html Key West (city) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau ] ] within the municipality of Key West, Florida.

History

Law enforcement within the city of Key West originated at the incorporation of the city in 1828 with a town Marshal. The jail was the brig of a ship docked at the city. By the turn of the century, in 1900 the KWPD had a compliment of 13 sworn officers. [ [http://www.keywestcity.com/egov/docs/1156132111469.htm City of Key West: Police Department History ] ] On April 23, 1982, the KWPD was the "official" police force of the tongue-in-cheek, Conch Republic.

Organization

The KWPD is divided into three bureaus: [ [http://www.keywestcity.com/department/?fDD=12-0 Key West Florida ~ Police Department ] ]
*Patrol Operations Bureau
*Investigative Operations Bureau
*Support Operations Bureau

The current Chief of Police is Bill Mauldin, a 25-year veteran of law enforcement. [ [http://www.keywestcity.com/department/division.asp?fDD=12-68 Key West Florida ~ Office of the Chief ] ]

Controversy

In June 1984, the KWPD was declared a criminal Enterprise under the Federal RICO statutes after a lengthy United States Department of Justice investigation. Several high-ranking officers of KWPD, including Deputy Police Chief "Raymond Cassamayor", were arrested on federal charges of running a protection racket for illegal cocaine smugglers. [http://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] At trial, a witness testified he routinely delivered bags of cocaine to the Deputy Chief's office at City Hall. [http://www.livableoldtown.com/from_wrecking_to_smuggling_to_de.htm Keys have long history of corruption]

Fallen officers

Since the establishment of the Key West Police Department, three officers have died in the line of duty. [cite web |title = The Officer Down Memorial Page |url = http://odmp.org/agency/1978-key-west-police-department-florida]

ee also

*List of law enforcement agencies in Florida
*List of U.S. state and local law enforcement agencies

References

External links

* [http://www.keywestcity.com/department/?fDD=12-0 Key West Police Department homepage]