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The 1960's

During 1967, the Westminster Police Department, which had occupied two small rooms of Westminster’s City Hall since the  1950’s, expanded to three rooms. Police also were using the basement area of City Hall where one storage room was utilized as a detaining cell for prisoners and a "property room" was established for evidence collection.

Calls for service to the Police Department were received at City Hall by a police secretary; Monday thru Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., who would then dispatch the calls to patrolling officers by use of their two-way car radios. After 4 p.m. and on weekends and holidays, the dispatching of police calls were handled by the Westminster Fire Department located on Main Street.

The most prevalent crimes during this time were that of loitering, vagrancy, and drunkenness, which were the results of the many bars located along Main Street in Westminster.

Police officers received their training at one of two locations; either at Maryland Police Training Commission facilities located at Sparrows Point, Baltimore, or at a Maryland State Police modified training program. Training lasted from two to five months depending on the training location. There was no additional training mandated at this time outside of the officer’s original training.

Equipment provided by the City to police officers were that of a gun, holster, handcuffs and a coat. Any other equipment which an officer felt he needed had to be purchased by his own means -- that included items such as, a bullet proof vest or extra ammunition.

In November 1969 the Westminster Police force was honored and recognized as the first Department on the east coast of the United States to wear the National flag emblem on their uniforms. During this same year police began using radar to slow down speeding motorist, traveling on Westminster City streets.

The 1970's

The 1970’s brought about portable radio accessibility to police officers who were away from their patrol vehicles. Unfortunately only two units were purchased limiting the accessibility of their use within the (14) man force.

Before this new advancement in communications, officers had what was known as a "reach button" installed in their vehicles. This button was connected to the car’s horn and radio base station at police headquarters at City Hall. If an officer was away from his patrol vehicle, the car horn could be activated by headquarters, or after hours by the Westminster Fire Department, which would alert the officer to return to his vehicle to receive a call. Those officers without the portable communications continued with this type of set up. During the same time period, parking violators paid their parking tickets at meter boxes provided in at least five or six areas around the town. Violators paid their fines of $1.00 by placing their money in an envelope provided with the ticket and then deposited the envelope in the meter box. A police officer would then collect the revenue from these boxes. These boxes were discontinued due to the increasing number of thefts during their use.

In the late 1970’s a part time "meter monitor" was employed and violators paid their citations at police headquarters or by mail.

Chief H. Leroy Day retired in July of 1976 and Sam R. Leppo was appointed to this position. Leppo had already served the Westminster community as an officer for nine years before his appointment as Chief of Police. With his appointment many important changes within the Westminster Police Department have taken place.

In 1980, the police department moved from its City Hall location to the Longwell Municipal Center, which had been originally used by the National Guard as their armory. Officers and dispatch areas were entirely remodeled by police personnel. This major move brought about a progressive change in police communications. A total revamping of radio communications was now utilized providing a full time 24-hour dispatching center which later linked with the 911 emergency system.

The 1980's

In 1981, a "Crisis Response Team" was initiated to handle critical situations that would arise within Westminster’s growing community. Initially the team began with four members and at the present time has grown to a nine member force with several new officer applicants. Great speculation concerning the need for this team was expressed by the community, but on January 30, 1984, the C.R.T. received its first taste of action and the Westminster citizens quickly realized the necessity of such trained individuals. A local Westminster man had barricaded himself within his home for more than 15 hours, holding police at bay with gunfire. Through the expert efforts of the C.R.T., no one was injured and the incident was resolved. Other incidents have occurred since this 1984 incident which has caused the Crisis Response Team to respond.

1982 brought the "Miles System" (Maryland Inter-angency Law Enforcement System) to become a part of the Westminster Police Department’s computer hook up. This system would provide easy accessible information nationwide in regards to special police matters. Before this time the Department had to contact Maryland State Police, Westminster Barracks, to obtain such information concerning stolen property, vehicles, and fugitive information.

As radio had improved over the past years, police found that with a portable radio at their side, they were virtually never out of touch. In 1983 an Aerotron base repeater was installed and the Department equipped its officers with Uniden portable radios. In 1998, these radios were replaced with a new 800 MHz system which is being used within Carroll County.

The Westminster Police Department since 1983, has used various police academies for the training of its officers. Weeks of training in Law, Criminal and Collision Investigation, First Aid, and Weapon handling are among items taught, which provide a base upon where law enforcement personnel build their futures.

The Maryland Police Training Commission, who is responsible for ensuring of a Police Officer’s certification, demands many hours per year of in-service training. This is equivalent to a refresher course in police practices and procedures. Since 1981 the Westminster Police Department has had the authorization by the Training Commission to provide its own in-service training without going to other agencies throughout the State. Each year police officers receive (35 - 40) hours of in-service training which fit the special needs of Westminster. Classes are taught by certified instructors of the Department who have received their certification through the Maryland Police Training Commission.

In 1984 The Women’s Club of Westminster approached the police department in regards to two important projects for the Westminster Community; those being the "Neighborhood Crime Watch" and the "Block Parent" program. Both projects were initiated with great success as police and community worked together to fight crime.

1986 brought about the "time saving" computerization of all police statistical information so that this information could be easily accessible and recorded without being handwritten and filed as it had been accomplished in the past.

In July 1987 the Police Department added a much needed K-9 unit to the force. Dog and trainer spent six months of concentrated handling and training through the Maryland State Police K-9 Center. Continual training for both dog and handler take place three days per month.

The first full time "meter monitor" was employed in August of 1987 to take care of parking violations in downtown Westminster and to handle permit parking on specified City lots.

In January of 1988, the police department began its first Public Information Office, whose primary purpose is the handling of all press and public inquiries, promotion of special safety activities and lectures within the Westminster community. Up until this time much of the inquiries into public information were handled by the Chief of Police.

A breathalyzer unit (now known as an Intoximeter Unit) was added to the Department in 1988. This instrument measures the blood alcohol content in those individuals suspected of driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Selected officers of the Department have been trained in the use and administration of this system. Before acquition of this unit any DWI arrests made, who gave their consent for a breath test, had to be transported to the  Maryland State Police Westminster barrack for its administration.

The 1990's

In 1993 the Public Information Office was renamed to the Community Education Office. Many of the responsibilities stayed the same. The "D.A.R.E. - Drug Abuse Resistance Education" program was added to the middle school in this school year. In April of 1999, a second Community Education Officer was added to this office.

In November 1993, the Police Department moved from the Longwell Municipal Center location to 36 Locust Street in Westminster. This location originally was the home of Westminster Auto Parts. The building was remodeled to accommodate the Westminster Police Department.

In 1995, the first bicycle officer was trained to pilot the police departments first bicycle patrol. The bicycle patrol unit is an active part of the patrol unit today.

In 1998, a Community Policing Vehicle was added to the Community Education Office. This vehicle is being utilized for the D.A.R.E. Program, Choices Program, and various other Community Events.

On August 4, 1999 Chief Sam R. Leppo passed away at the age 53 as a result of injuries received in a three-car crash in Frederick County. He served as the longest-tenured Police Chief in active service in Maryland law enforcement. He joined the Westminster Police Department on June 26, 1967, and was appointed Chief July 1, 1976, a position he held until the time of his death.

On September 13, 1999 Major Roger Joneckis was appointed the position as Chief of Police by Mayor Ken Yowan and the City Council.  

The 2000's

On July 31, 2003, Chief Roger G. Joneckis retired after serving the citizens of Maryland for 31 years, 29 of those years were serving the citizens of Westminster.  During his 4 years as Chief of Police, Chief Joneckis was instrumental in moving the police department forward by assigning a detective to the Carroll County Narcotics Task Force and assigning a Community Policing Officer to the Westside Community Organization where crime was reduced in this area by adding extra foot patrol and a cell phone program.  The Carroll County Landlord Association was developed along with other programs such as Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 Program, Citizens on Patrol, Domestic Violence Program, RAAM (Reducing Alcohol Availability to Minors), Community Youth Supervision Program, P.E.R.K. (Police Education and Recreation for Kids) afterschool program, and the Westminster Citizens Police Academy.  Chief Joneckis redesigned the Westminster Police Department Badge and vehicle markings. He sucessfully worked with the Mayor and Common Council in bringing about a 25-year retirement benefit for the men and women of the police department.    

On August 1, 2003, Major Dean A. Brewer was appointed by the Mayor and Common Council as the Acting Chief of Police.   During Chief Brewer's five month tenure as Chief, he assigned a detective to the Carroll County Child Abuse Sexual Assault Unit (CASA) to aid in the investigations of child abuse and sexual assaults throughout Carroll County.  He obtained Nextel Cell Phones for the men and women of the police department to bring about better emergency communications with the specialized units of the police department.  Chief Brewer also updated internal computers to prepare for future needs of the police department and increased the patrol fleet for more visibility. Today, over 165 years later the Westminster Police Department employs 45-sworn police officers, 10 telecommunications specialists, a cadet, and a parking enforcment officer. The Department also makes use of its volunteer members known as S.C.O.R.E. Patrol - Stop Crime On Residential Environments. The volunteer programs specialize in providing supportive services for the City of Westminster.

On January 2, 2004, Chief Jeffrey Spaulding assumed his duties as Chief of the Westminster Police Department.  Chief Spaulding came to Westminster with more than thirty years of police experience with the Howard County Police Department.

Patrol procedures have improved over the past decades to where the department has (21) marked patrol units, (22) unmarked units, and a bicycle patrol unit.  It is the sincere desire of the Westminster Police Department, as we celebrate over 165 years of dedicated community service, to continue to provide the same quality service as we have for many more years. We know this is possible with the help and support of our community.

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