Jacksonville Police Department: History

HISTORY

The current police department building was erected in 1964 (1412 West Main Street) and was expanded in 1978 and again in 1993. Prior to 1964 the police department was located at City Hall at 109 South Second street.

The first police vehicle purchased by the City of Jacksonville was a 1956 Ford (shown here with Clarence Garner, Jacksonville's first Chief of Police).

JPD First Car

The first city jail was at 408 East Center and is still standing today.

Original JPD Jail Outside Original JPD Jail Inside

Until 1956, Jacksonville had City Marshalls (elected positions) for law enforcement.

Gregory Martinal (dates unknown)
Bruce Huffman (dates unknown)
Clarence Garner: 1946-1956
*Clarence Garner was also the Night Marshall from 1944-1946

In 1956, Jacksonville created the position of Chief of Police.

Clarence Garner: 1956-1958
Olson Kennedy: 1958-1959
Myron Traylor: 1959-1972
Leonard Brickell: 1973-1975
Tommy F. Robinson: 1975-1979
John T. Shepherd: 1979-1982
Franklin D. Neely: 1982-1991
Don Tate: 1991-1994
Larry R. Hibbs: 1994-2001
N. Wayne Ruthven: 2002-2004
Robert L. Baker: 2004-Present

Jacksonville Police Department personnel in 1965.

JPD 1960s 1

The Department in 1977.

JPD 1977

The Department in 1984.

JPD 1984

The Department in 1993.

JPD 1993

The Department in 2002.

JPD 2002

OUR MISSION: Provide world class, proactively focused, community-oriented law enforcement support for all our citizens. OUR VISION: An innovative team of professionals, dedicated to continually improving law enforcement operations, quality of life, and community relations; while simultaneously promoting our city's proud heritage and shaping Arkansas' benchmark police department of the 21st century.