Background

We were surprised to discover that no one has ever compiled a history of the Department.  Luckily there is a large body of municipal records and several published histories of the City that will allow us to research our past.  We are also fortunate that noted local historian John McElhiney has provided us with his police-related research notes gathered for his book, Woburn - A Past Observed.

This will be a work-in-progress for a long time.  Please check back occasionally as this history grows.


Where We Are and Where We Came From 

On 1 July 2006, the Woburn Police Department consisted of 100 people.  The law enforcement staff consisted of a Chief of Police, 3 Captains, 7 Lieutenants, 10 Sergeants, 54 Police Officers, and 11 Reserve Police Officers. The department was assisted by 5 full time administrative staffers and a custodian. There were two part time administrative staffers, a part time Parking Ticket clerk and a part time False Alarm Billing clerk.  The Department had a full time and a part time Animal Control Officer.  There were two part time prisoner monitor / matrons.  The Police Department also supervised 26 School Crossing Guards. 

According the Annual Fiscal Year Report for the year that ended 30 June 2006, the Woburn Police Department logged almost 34,000 events, sought court action against 776 people, held 186 intoxicated people in Protective Custody, issued 5,500 traffic tickets and 2,300 parking tickets.  There were 1,080 UCR reportable crimes.

It took a while for Woburn’s Police Department to get to its 2006 size and activity level.  Woburn was settled in 1640, incorporated as a town in 1642 and incorporated as a City in 1889.  Woburn went for more than 200 years without a Police Department.

According to a recently published history[i] of the City, Woburn’s first attempt to start a Police Department, to consist of six “suitable, discreet, and efficient persons” was voted down at a Town Meeting in 1848.  Although there was a private “night watch” service available for a fee, there was no publicly funded police service until 1851, when town reports indicated that one man was paid for police services.  Two more men were added the next year and by 1855 there were ten men, all part time and appointed annually by the selectmen.  The first Chief of Police was appointed in 1861, and formally named Chief in 1863.

to be continued .........................