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History of the Department The Bloomington Police Department was formed in December 1953 with less than unanimous agreement among its citizens as to whether Bloomington should change from the constable system, in place since 1858 when the area became a town. Newly incorporated as a village, the population in 1953 was 14,000 and growing rapidly. Many people felt strongly that we needed a police department. Origins of the department
As Clay Nord, long-time town board member and Bloomington's first police chief, said to the new Village Council in 1953, officers were needed to handle increases in "rush hour traffic on thoroughfares" and to "avert the possibility of severe crime epidemics." The first six months of that year, Minnesota Patrol, a private security firm, patrolled Bloomington as an auxiliary police force. Allegedly, the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office had a one hour response time to calls for service from Bloomington. The main stumbling block seemed to be that a police department would cost each taxpayer $2 a year. After many acrimonious town board meetings, the police department was finally formed in December 1953. Clay Nord was appointed Chief of Police and three officers were hired, followed by three more the following May. One police car was purchased to replace the 1951 Ford in use by the Constable, with plans to buy another in 1954. The officers of the new department patrolled an area larger than St. Paul, always in two-man cars on the night shift. Officers provided 24 hour coverage, 7 days a week, and acted as bailiffs during court sessions which were held in the evening. Most of their work seemed to involve traffic violations. (This was the year that Bloomington's first stop-and-go signal was installed at the "very dangerous" intersection of 98th and Lyndale.) They also handled complaints about dumping of garbage, unlicensed dogs and family disputes. All this for $325 a month and no overtime! Today's departmentToday, Bloomington has more than 85,000 residents and a visiting population that tops that number every single day. The Police Department now has an authorized strength of 116 sworn officers, 35 civilians, 2 animal control officers and an annual budget of $16 million. Technology and communication play a major role in assisting the department in its mission. Officers use Mobile Digital Computers in squad cars. Through numerous computer systems, the department is linked to Hennepin County, the State of Minnesota, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and other local governmental units. The department prides itself on its continuing commitment to training and technological improvements that allow staff to work more efficiently and make Bloomington a safe place to live, work and play.
For more information, contact: Bloomington Police Department
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