1970 During a promotional tour the lead actors from Adam 12 visit with
Milwaukee Officers.
Violence from the tumultuous 60's carried over into the early 1970's. In January 1971 officers staged a protest of their own when the
"blue flu" stuck for seven days. In April of 1975 the first female "patrolman" was hired. The department purchased the current Police
Academy and moved all training to this location. By the end of the decade the Milwaukee Fire Department took over EMS duties and the
police ambulances were phased out. Twelve officers died in the line of duty making this the most dangerous decade for our officers.
1970's Rattling the doors. The use of beatmen begins
to diminish on the department. Photo courtesy of the Milwaukee Police
Historical Society
Officers stand inspection during roll call. Mustaches were standard issue
in the 70's. Photo courtesy of the Milwaukee Police Historical Society
1970"s Officers tend to an injured youth at an accident scene.
Photo courtesy of the Milwaukee Police Historical Society
Officers prepare to transport an injured accident victim. P.O. Kenneth
Kuester carries the cot as P.O. Micheal Ballering prepares the stretcher
and P.O. Gary Lentz examines the damage in the background. Photo courtesy of
the Milwaukee Police Historical Society
1970 Sergeants survey the scene at a sit-in by Latino students inside the chancellors office
at UW-Milwaukee.
The decade of the 70's was the most violent for the Milwaukee Police Department as these headlines reflect. A total of 12 officers lost their
lives in the line of duty and many more were wounded. The Fifth District bore the brunt of the violence.
1970 Protesters are led to a waiting "bread wagon" during
campus demonstrations at UW-Milwaukee.
1970 July saw police battle hippie demonstrators in Water Tower Park
on Milwaukee's East Side.
1970's Two officers monitor activity during the Brady Street Days.
1970 Police battle with anti-war protesters outside the Federal
Building in downtown Milwaukee.
1974 News coverage of an east side Milwaukee shootout.
1977 An officer investigates a car accident on South Chase Street. Photo courtesy
of the Milwaukee Police Historical Society
1975 It took a long time but Ada Wright became
Milwaukee's first fully recognized "Patrolman." Until
then sworn female members were either Matrons in
the jail or "Police Women" in Sensitive Crimes.
1974 This August edition of an underground Milwaukee newspaper reports on the activities of
undercover narcotics officers during a concert at old Milwaukee County Stadium. Nothing like
unbiased reporting from the media. The Detectives pictured are Leger, Lund, Waldren, and
Tarczynski.(Article courtesy of Det. Richard Tarczynski)
1975 This photo was taken in the Command Post at Summerfest. It
depicts the Drug Enforcement Undercover Unit which worked the grounds
every day of the festival. Included in the photo are D. Rainey, R. Riley, R.
Tarczynski, C. Mehring, T. Rosario, A. Wilke, R. Jurasinski, J. Matt, G.
Lewis, O. Wood, D. Pederson, G. Moe, T. Retkowski.(Photo courtesy of Det. Richard
Tarczynski)
1970
1979
1975 Officers monitor a meat cutters strike on Canal Street.
Stuck in the middle of a 1970's teachers strike.
1979 More parade duty.
Officers rush a shooting victim to a waiting ambulance.
1975 Tactical Enforcement Unit officers confront protesters at the War
memorial Center.
1976 Police investigate at the scene of a shooting on North 10th
Street.