The Mission and History page with several historic photos at https://www.fwpd.org/about-us/mission-history [1-15-2023] states:
The City of Fort Wayne is located in northeast Indiana and is the second largest city in the state. The City encompasses an area of about 110.67 square miles with a population of approximately 267,633 (2018) people. Fort Wayne’s cultural climate is increasingly diverse. Fort Wayne’s roots began in 1697 when the French and British built a series of three forts at the confluence of the St. Joseph River, St. Mary’s River, and Maumee River near the Miami tribe village of Kekionga. The United States Army built Fort Wayne in 1794 and was named in honor of General “Mad” Anthony Wayne. Fort Wayne was platted in 1823 and experienced a rapid expansion after completion of the Wabash and Erie Canal. The proud tradition of the Fort Wayne Police Department (FWPD) began in 1829 with a single “Village Marshal”. That tradition continues today with 480 sworn officers and approximately 62 civilians. The FWPD is led by Police Chief Stephen Reed. The Fort Wayne Police Department is a full-service, highly sophisticated professional agency. Through innovative leadership and dedication to providing quality services, our Department maximizes its resources to provide a high quality work environment. We give our officers the same respect and concern that we expect them to show all citizens with whom they come into contact in the line of duty.
Protecting the citizens of Allen County has long been the charge of the Allen County Sheriff’s Department and the Fort Wayne Police Department. Both of these law enforcement agencies deal with the pursuit of the perpetrators of crime and administrators of the appropriate punishments. The History Center, the former Old City Hall Building, still contains the Old City Jail, which housed the accused from 1893 until 1971. Our temporary Fright Night display “Crime & Punishment” highlights some of our county’s law enforcement artifacts. #sociallyhistory
The Old City Building housed the Fort Wayne Police Department from 1893 until 1971, before the Allen County-Fort Wayne Historical Society refurbished the building into the History Center in 1980—but the story of law enforcement in Fort Wayne starts much earlier. City Council, realizing that there was inadequate protection for its citizens in a growing town, established a professional police force in 1863. It consisted of three men, a lieutenant and two patrolmen who patrolled from dusk to dawn. Notable improvements in organization and discipline took place in 1883 and 1894 and by 1900 the force was developing into a professional police department. The first police station was established in a small brick building that stood opposite the courthouse on Court Street. This building was used until completion of the brand new City Building in 1893. The first female associated with the Fort Wayne Police Department was Fannie Winch, who was appointed Fort Wayne’s first Police Matron in 1913. In 1921, Fort Wayne City Council authorized the hiring of three policewomen with the same pay and authority as other police officers. This policewoman’s uniform dates to the early 1950s. Officer Velma Moser is shown wearing the complete uniform with a purse containing pouches for a gun and handcuffs. #sociallyhistory
One of the photos is Fannie Winch the first Fort Wayne police matron.
A huge shout out to Crazy Pins for their recent addition of a police themed go-kart! It looks great and we hope many kids enjoy racing it on Crazy Pin's new go-kart track.
Today was Deputy Chief Marty Bender's retirement party. We would like to thank DC Bender for 49 years of service to the Fort Wayne Police Department and Community. We wish him well on his next endeavors, one being a City Council member. We're fortunate that he will still be in a position to share his wisdom and experience.
Today, Deputy Mayor Karl Bandemer proclaimed it "Martin Bender Day" in Fort Wayne. Bender will retire from the Fort Wayne Police Department after 49 years of service to our city.
It was made official today, Deputy Chief Martin Bender signed off on his retirement, with just under 49 years of service to the Fort Wayne Police Department and City. He begins another chapter after retirement with City Council. Good luck and thank you for your service!
The Fort Wayne Police Department would like to extend a warm thank you to Franklin Electric for their generous donation to Safety Village! The funds from Franklin Electric's donation are going into buying new 4 wheelers, some of our little Peg Perego vehicles are over 20 years old and many have broken pieces. These toys are the highlight of the kindergartener’s trip out to Safety Village. The main focus of the Police Department program is pedestrian safety, but after the kiddos learn their rules and show the grownups what they’ve learned then they get to have some fun and get to pretend to be grownups and practice following traffic laws as well. Peg Perego is selling the toys at a greatly discounted price so the money goes farther!
This is the Outlaw in citrus and it will replace many of the rides that have steering wheels out at the Safety Village which can be hard for the kids to drive.
What can be better than when the community recognizes one of your Officers? Jan 19 Lt Randy Hosford will be celebrated as a distinguished alumni for Northside HS. If you know this officer you know how kind, dedicated, and exemplary he is. Always a great attitude, kind word and warm smile. He has worked at North a long time. I mean I can’t be for sure but I’m pretty certain he is the OG of SROs, before they were even known as SROs. Thousands of kids, teachers and parents have been affected by this kind soul. We are so proud he is getting this recognition for his years of service at North and frankly, this whole city. I mean everyone knows Officer (LT) Randy don’t they? Congratulations sir, you make us all proud to know and work with you. Well done.
Please join us in honoring Chief Reed and his dedicated service to the Fort Wayne Police Department and Community as he attends his last command meeting! In-coming Chief Caudill proudly presented out-going Chief Reed with a plaque honoring his years of exceptional service! Let's also welcome Chief Caudill as the new Chief of the Fort Wayne Police Department!
As mayor, I was honored to attend today's swearing in ceremony of Scott Caudill as the City of Fort Wayne's new police chief. Scott is prepared and ready to lead.
Tonight our Victims Assistance Unit held their annual Candle Light Vigil for victims of violent crime in Fort Wayne and Allen County. Displays were set up with names and photos (if available) of victims since 1969. Families were present to share their stories to one another and grieve together. Turning pain into purpose as Pastor Wattley said. Make their lives live on with meaning. Thank you to all who came out. Thank you for trusting us to honor your loved one, bring justice where we can, or comfort until we can. This is our community and together we can be better.
Let's congratulate our three newly promoted Sergeants who've worked tirelessly and have sacrificed to get to this...
The FWPD Bike Unit just received 3 new electronic bikes to add to their fleet of bicycles! The unit patrols the downtown area and the bikes help them respond to areas where a car cannot. The bike officers are very community oriented and enjoy engaging with the public! These new bikes are fast, and will help with response time. They will also help keep the officers from being too fatigued and ready to assists when needed! These bikes are cool, but way cooler in person. If you see the unit out, say hi, and take a look.
The FWPD is happy to be unveiling the upcoming boat unit with a few preview pictures of the boat. Please keep a look out for the boat in the upcoming weeks cruising the river.
The FWPD is happy to be unveiling the upcoming boat unit with a few preview pictures of the boat. Please keep a look out for the boat in the upcoming weeks cruising the river.
This morning, Police Chief Scott Caudill announced the promotions of seven officers within the Fort Wayne Police...
The Fort Wayne Police Department recently hosted police officers from Fort Wayne’s Sister City, Gera, Germany. This is the first official police exchange since 2018. The German officers spent a week at the homes of Fort Wayne Police officers, getting to know them and their families and the ways of policing in America. These officers were shown many new things while in town including the new FWPD boat patrol, a ride-along with their host officer, a tour of the FWPD academy, and tours of the different specialty units and their benefit to the department and community. These types of exchanges continue to strengthen our relationship with our Sister Cities and allow both the Fort Wayne and Gera officers to learn new ways of policing from one another.
Congratulations to our newest Sergeants with FWPD. Sgt. Phil Ealing, Sgt. Ben Young and Sgt. Mark Adam Brown…we know you are going to do great work out there!
Congratulations to our newest Sergeants with FWPD. Sgt. Phil Ealing, Sgt. Ben Young and Sgt. Mark Adam Brown…we know you are going to do great work out there!
On this day, September 11th, 2018, one of Fort Wayne's own paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service of his community....
On this day, September 11th, 2018, one of Fort Wayne's own paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service of his community. Today, we remember the life, and service of Officer David A. Tinsley 1754F. Officer Tinsley will forever be an example for the men and women of Law Enforcement who continue to stand ready to serve the citizens of our country, and our community.
Congratulations and welcome to our newest officers! We appreciate your dedication and commitment to help keep our community safe. “Bravery is not absence of fear but action in the face of fear”
Congratulations and welcome to our newest officers! We appreciate your dedication and commitment to help keep our community safe. “Bravery is not absence of fear but action in the face of fear”
Lets take a moment and recognize Officers Daniel Chiu, Jared Gernhardt, Nathan Mueller, and Eric Noga for their efforts...
Lets take a moment and recognize Officers Daniel Chiu, Jared Gernhardt, Nathan Mueller, and Eric Noga for their efforts in OWI enforcement in Fort Wayne. On September 19th, 2024 these four officers were recognized by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute as Traffic Safety All-Stars. It is worth noting that all of them had over 50 OWI arrests each during 2023.
To qualify for the award, an officer must have made at least 20 operating while intoxicated arrests and participated in one of the state’s enhanced enforcement campaigns in the previous year. Studies show that in the United States 1 person dies every 50 minutes due to an impaired driving crash. CJI started the Traffic Safety All Stars award in 2020 to recognize those officers going above and beyond to make their communities safer.
Thank you and keep up the fantastic work!
Today we honor and thank Officer Omega Graham and his family for giving the ultimate sacrifice to our Community. End of...
Today we honor and thank Officer Omega Graham and his family for giving the ultimate sacrifice to our Community.
End of Watch: December 10th, 1987
Officer Omega Graham was accidentally shot and killed during a police recruit training exercise at Fort Custer Training Center, a National Guard training facility near Battle Creek, Michigan.
While acting out a landlord-tenant dispute scenario with other recruits, Officer Graham was accidentally shot in the chest with a .38-caliber handgun that was supposed to be unloaded during the training exercise. Officer Graham was taken to Leila Hospital and Health Center in Battle Creek where he was declared dead on arrival.
Officer Graham had been hired by the Fort Wayne Police Department and was in his 13th week of the 16-week recruit academy when the incident occurred. He was survived by his fiancée, 3-year-old daughter, mother, three sisters, and four brothers.
The Fort Wayne Police Department thanks you for your service and for giving the ultimate sacrifice.
