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Growing Pains
Tragically in 1930, two officers were killed in the line of
duty during the famous Touchy Furniture Store robbery. Officers found that
.38 caliber bullets fired at the fleeing suspects did not penetrate their vehicles.
With the inability of their current firearms to penetrate the vehicles, HPD
ordered more powerful .44 caliber Smith & Wesson revolvers.
The year had some positives for HPD, however:
- The third substation, North Side, was opened.
- The Homicide Division was created.
- The first in-service police school was created.
- Percy Heard was sworn in as Superintendent of Police.
- Two Thompson Machine guns were purchased for the apprehension of "desperate
criminals."
- 425 Special officers (Reserves) were sworn in and appointed by the Mayor.
- The first "Shadow Box" was installed so victims could view the prisoners
without being observed themselves.
The Year of DPS
In 1933, the Police and Fire departments briefly merged to
form the Department of Public Safety. Also during this year, the first two-way
radio transmission took place via the newly established police radio station
KGZB.
Improvements in HPD
Although 1934 was still in the midst of the Depression, HPD
was growing steadily. The budget increased to $560,000 and the number of officers
had grown to 346. Also in 1934, Chief Payne instituted a weekly firearm inspection
for his officers.
1936: HPD Gets Its License
The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) named HPD as one
of the first five police departments in the United States to be licensed.
The Class of '39
In 1939, HPD established the first police academy class. The
class was five weeks in length and held at the Sam Houston Coliseum. The first
written intelligence test was administered to 597 applicants and only 362 passed
with a grade of 70 or above. One of the questions asked on the test and is
still asked on today's test is "Why do you want to be a police officer?" Out
of the 362 applicants that passed the test, 50 were selected to attend the
first academy. On August 16, 1939 the first class graduated and was referred
to as the "Class of '39."
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