LANSING POLICE DEPARTMENT HISTORICAL WEB SITE
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LANSING POLICE DEPARTMENT HISTORICAL WEB SITE
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A NEW CHIEF 1906 In support of his men, Chief Starmont requested higher wages, more officers, and a new position of detective. Political discord arose between the Board and the chief, and Starmont resigned.
CHIEF HENRY BEHRENDT 1906-1914 When Henry Behrendt, 36, applied for the position of detective on LPD, the Board was impressed with his credentials. Born in Detroit in 1869, Henry Behrendt came to Lansing in 1876. After engaging in the cigar business with his father, Behrendt spent 2 years. as a constable and 4 years. as Chief Deputy Sheriff. Known as a strict disciplinarian, when he took charge of LPD in 1906, he reorganized the dept. and implemented the use of “discretion” by each officer; instead of bringing a drunk to jail in a wheelbarrow, the officer could summon a hack/taxi and send them home. Behrendt organized a juvenile policy whereby young offenders were kept at the police station until parents came to talk with the Chief and then could take their child home. He was also noted for his ability to “obtain a confession from a criminal without resorting to the third degree method.” Crime was reduced in Lansing and said Behrendt, “professional thieves very well know that should they visit Lansing, their career will prove to be a short one.”
HENRY E. “daddy” ROWELL First LPD detective 1897-1916-YEARS OF SERVICE Back to The First 100 Years Forward to Ransom Eli Olds –The Automobile |
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