LANSING POLICE DEPARTMENT HISTORICAL WEB SITE
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LANSING POLICE DEPARTMENT HISTORICAL WEB SITE
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POLICE JUSTICE COURT In 1903, Chief Starmont took an active role in the development of a new “Police Justice Court.” The court was presided over by a duly sworn judge and prosecuting attorney that were elected by the citizens. Lansing police officers obtained the proper papers and escorted offenders to jail eliminating the position of constables. Through a legislated charter revision the Police Justice Court became the Municipal Court System.
CALL BOX 1901-1967 On display at North Precinct. In memory of Lt. Fred Wilkins. In 1880, the Gamewell Co. pioneered the “call box,” the first attempt at electronic communication between police officers and headquarters. The call box was a combination of the telephone and teletype. In 1905, Chief Starmont had one of the blue iron call boxes installed at Michigan and Washington. After unlocking the call box with a large key they carried, the officer picked up the telephone receiver and “pulled the hook,” as cops called it. This lever activated a teletype across a paper tape, coding the date, time, location and officer’s badge number. In 1910, call boxes were installed on each of the eight beats patrolled by LPD officers. Each box was wired with a “flashlite,” a visual recall signal. When a button on the Gamewell desk at the police station was activated, the flashlite would blink and signal the beat officer to call headquarters. The Lansing Police Dept. used call boxes until 1967, when hand-held radios were issued to each patrol officer.
Gamewell desk was located at police headquarters. |
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