1946 The 1940s brought labor strife and strikes. Here officers must
intervene when a Allis-Chalmers march comes into the City.
intervene when a Allis-Chalmers march comes into the City.
1946 Milwaukee was built on industry and labor strife was
common. Milwaukee Officers were often stuck in the middle.
common. Milwaukee Officers were often stuck in the middle.
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An officer points to bullet damage to a car window. Photo courtesy of the Milwaukee
Police Historical Society
Police Historical Society
A world war, labor union battles, and increased vehicle traffic were just some of the challenges facing our officers in the 1940's. The
department created the first bomb disposal vehicle out of a 1928 patrol wagon. Two 1935 bombings at police stations and the threat
of sabotage on Milwaukee's wartime industry were the driving forces behind the creation of a new "Bomb Wagon." The Narcotics
Squad and Intelligence Squad for organized crime were also created.
department created the first bomb disposal vehicle out of a 1928 patrol wagon. Two 1935 bombings at police stations and the threat
of sabotage on Milwaukee's wartime industry were the driving forces behind the creation of a new "Bomb Wagon." The Narcotics
Squad and Intelligence Squad for organized crime were also created.
Milwaukee's "Bomb Wagon." The first bomb disposal vehicle in
the nation. Photo courtesy of the Milwaukee Police Historical Society
the nation. Photo courtesy of the Milwaukee Police Historical Society
1940 Milwaukee Journal article brags about
Milwaukee Officer's firearms skills.
Milwaukee Officer's firearms skills.
1946 More labor strife leads to a skirmish line being formed by officers in
the street to protect workers arriving at Allis Chalmers.
the street to protect workers arriving at Allis Chalmers.
1948 Police provide security for Thomas Dewey who was the Republican
candidate for President.
candidate for President.
Photos of Third District Patrolman Charles Hurst. One is his Department mugshot and the second he
posed by his patrol car. The third photo was posed in the yard. These photos where provided by one
of his grandchildren.
posed by his patrol car. The third photo was posed in the yard. These photos where provided by one
of his grandchildren.
1947 A delegation of police officers from China visit the MPD's
radio station WPDK. Sgt. Benj Watson and Radio Mechanic
Wesley Wiseman are the tour guides.
radio station WPDK. Sgt. Benj Watson and Radio Mechanic
Wesley Wiseman are the tour guides.
1940 Crowd control at the Warner theater on Wisconsin Avenue.
1948 A police escort is provided to Presidential candidate Thomas
Dewey. Photo courtesy of the Milwaukee Police Historical Society
Dewey. Photo courtesy of the Milwaukee Police Historical Society
1945 This series of photos shows a patrolman giving a small girl
a lift on a cold winter day. (Photos courtesy of the Milwaukee Police Historical Society)
a lift on a cold winter day. (Photos courtesy of the Milwaukee Police Historical Society)
1941 A Legionnaire offers a traffic copper a beer during their
convention in downtown Milwaukee.
convention in downtown Milwaukee.
1940
1949
1949 A group of African American Patrolmen and Detectives
photographed at the Safety Building.
photographed at the Safety Building.
1941 Newsreel footage (no sound) of officers battling strikers
during the Allis Chalmers riots. The Departments armored fortress
can be seen at the end of the video having suffered damage.
during the Allis Chalmers riots. The Departments armored fortress
can be seen at the end of the video having suffered damage.
1946 Officers assist a striker to the paddy wagon during the Allis
Chalmers strike.
Chalmers strike.
1946 Officers stand at the ready to deal with Allis Chalmers strikers.
1945 The neighborhood Patrolman helps the kids crossing the street. (Photo courtesy
of the Milwaukee Police Historical Society)
of the Milwaukee Police Historical Society)
Patrolmen dealing with another type of winter traffic during another frigid 1940's winter.
(Photos courtesy of the Milwaukee Police Historical Society)
(Photos courtesy of the Milwaukee Police Historical Society)
Officers gather evidence at a raid on a Milwaukee gambling house.
Officers use teargas to deal with violent strikers at Humboldt Park. (Photo
courtesy of P.O. Ken Cecil)
courtesy of P.O. Ken Cecil)
Officers review new equipment at an in-service class. (Photo courtesy of the
Milwaukee Police Historical Society)
Milwaukee Police Historical Society)
1949 Police Basketball team. (Photos courtesy of the Milwaukee Police Historical Society)
1948 District Six-MPAA softball champs. (Photos courtesy of the Milwaukee Police
Historical Society)
Historical Society)
1941 Captain Dax giving a lecture during
outdoor training. (Photos courtesy of the Milwaukee Police
Historical Society)
outdoor training. (Photos courtesy of the Milwaukee Police
Historical Society)
1941 Police again square of with labor protesters on a cool April day.
1941 Police bring out the "Mobile Fortress" to deal with strikers
at Allis-Chalmers.
at Allis-Chalmers.
1946 Patrolmen struggle to hold the line against strikers.
1949 Hoses are used to break up strikers.
1948 Officers stand by at the Plankington Meat Packing strike.
1941 Police and strikers battle again.