Department History

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Westminster, the County seat of Carroll County, was founded in 1764 and incorporated in December of 1838. Since Westminster’s beginning, law enforcement and public safety activities have always been of importance to our community.

The early 1838 City records show that the "Burgess" and "Commissioners" had the power and authority of a Justice of the Peace within the town’s limits. They were authorized to commit any person or persons who were convicted of any violation of the town’s ordinances for a time not to exceed (20) days in the event that the "parties" so offering, failed or refused to pay the set fines and costs of their violation(s). (A Burgess was a representative of a Corporate town of an English borough.)

"Borough Constable" was the title given to law enforcement officials during the early period of Westminster’s incorporation. The first recorded Constable was Mr. William Grumbine, appointed on June 20, 1839, (2) days after the city passed its ordinance establishing town constables.

Constables were paid 33 1/2 cents for every person apprehended and had to post a $100.00 bond with the City before their appointment. They would work from their homes and walk to handle any calls for service. In later years, they may have used horses for quicker mobility.

Some of the ordinances established June 20, 1839 by the city fathers included, disturbing the peace by shouting, malicious ringing of doorbells or throwing stones against any door, fence, or gate. The fines ranged from $1.00 to $5.00.

Speeding was an apparent problem within the City just as it is today. Although in 1839 it was of the (1) or (2) "horse power" kind. The speed ordinance of the time read "No person shall run or drive through the town of Westminster at an improper gait except in case of necessity."

Disturbance by "immoral conduct" was also addressed by Section 13 of the 1839 City Code " Upon complaint made by any (3) inhabitants of the town of Westminster that any person from his or her immoral conduct gives disturbance to his or her neighbor, it shall be lawful for the Burgess or Justice of the Peace, if upon hearing the parties, he shall adjudge the complaint to be well founded to commit such disorderly person to the work hours at jail for any time not exceeding (20) days unless he or she finds security at the discretion of the Burgess or Justice of the Peace that tries the case in a sum not exceeding $30.00 for good behavior - - six months."

The more serious crimes, such as knowingly suffer drinking, gambling or unlawful sports on the Sabbath brought fines from $10.00 to $15.00.

Several other ordinances of interest were enacted in 1840 and 1842. In July of 1840 a town law was passed that it was unlawful to "fly kites" on Main Street. Violators were fined not less than 25 cents nor more than $1.00 for each offense. The 1842 ordinance was enacted to make "cock-fighting" unlawful where violators paid $20.00 for the first offense and $25.00 for their second offense. Then their first fine would be doubled for every other offense.

On May 20, 1850, Westminster’s Law Enforcement title of Borough or Town Constable changed to "City Bailiff" with Mr. Elias Yingling being appointed as the City’s first Bailiff. The title of Bailiff, referring to Law Enforcement officials continued until 1979.

Speeding on the streets of Westminster continued to its toll of violators including one City Bailiff who lost his bond. On November 12, 1857, Mr. James Keefer’s bond was rejected by the City Council for his neglect in complying with ordinance number (9), which related to the fast driving of "buggies".

The City Council discussed during a November 6, 1866 meeting the need for (2) "special police" to be appointed to keep the peace during the upcoming elections. This was the first time that the position of "City Bailiff" had ever been referred to as police.

Reference was made during a June 5, 1871 City Council meeting that the Bailiff needed to be easily identified by the public. To accomplish this, a badge was obtained for him.

The 1900's

The 1900’s brought about another change of title for Law Enforcement. This time the position of Bailiff was combined with that of "Street Commissioner". The first Bailiff/Street Commissioner was Mr. John Stem who served until the latter part of 1919 when he was taken ill. The Bailiff/Street Commissioner was not only responsible for the law and order within the City, but he was also responsible for the street maintenance which included repairs and the placement of street signs where needed. John Stem’s illness prompted a November 3, 1919 appointment of Mr. John Baile as Assistant Bailiff/Street Commissioner to serve until Stem could resume his duties. Unfortunately Stem died between November and December of 1919 and Mr. Baile then served as Bailiff/Street Commissioner until May of 1921.

During the 1900’s, City records used the terms "Bailiff", "Policeman", and "Officer" interchangeably, although Bailiff was the recorded title given to Law Enforcement personnel at this time.

The 1920's

The first reference to John Baile’s position as "Chief of Police" was made in August of 1920 as he was given orders by the City Council to provide sufficient special "policemen" to make traffic safe and improve conditions in general.

On December 6, 1920, the City Council approved to appoint (2) extra policemen to patrol the City at night. It was felt that there existed inadequate protection due to the number of frequent "robberies and bank holdups". (It is uncertain whether the City Council was referring to robberies and bank holdups that actually occurred in Westminster at the time or if reference was being made to those "known" holdup men who existed around the United States during this era.) The (2) "night patrolmen" assumed their duties the 22nd of December 1920 at a pay rate of $60.00 per month.

Due to the increase for calls of service in 1921, the new Bailiff/Street Commissioner, John N. Weigle received the appointment of (2) new Bailiffs. Arthur T. Bowers was appointed May 1921 to serve as Weigle’s first Assistant Bailiff with William F. Helm serving as the second Assistant Bailiff. Bowers served in this capacity until May of 1925. Helm served but one year in his position. This appointed organization of manpower was the beginning of a (3) man police department for the City of Westminster.

This (3) man force only lasted but two years as city records indicate that Weigle and Bowers were the only appointed Bailiffs in 1923.

In a May 1924 City Council meeting, Mr. Charles Hesson, who was elected as a temporary chairman for the City Council, objected to Arthur Bowers serving as first Assistant Bailiff. His reasoning of objection is not known. Hesson also insisted that the special night officers should also "carry the time clock". The position of second Assistant Bailiff remained unfilled because of not having a man suitable for appointment. It was also decided during the May 1924 meeting that officers should be in uniform when on duty and that patrol of the streets on Sunday nights should be increased due to "sidewalk congestion".

A uniform procurement order was given to John Weigle on June 24, 1924 to provide for uniforms for himself and for his assistant, Arthur Bowers. The average salary for law enforcement officers at this time was from $75.00 to $85.00 per month.

In May of 1925, Weigle received Mr. Charles Seipp as his first Assistant Bailiff. Mr. Seipp in later years would head the police department as Chief of Police. Arthur Bowers was later reassigned to be a "special street officer" on July 6th of this same year. Bowers was to assist with Saturday night traffic. Officers now would be furnished with summer uniforms as those originally purchased for winter.

On October 4, 1926, a report was made by a concerned citizen named Mr. Shaeffer who presented facts concerning the "routy" behavior of the Western Maryland College students on Saturday nights. He reported that the students were "marching in a body with a drum, making loud noises, disturbing the peace and obstructing traffic." Shaeffer stated that (2) of the boys involved were arrested and taken to jail, but were released by the police justice without penalty. The City Council ordered police officials to put a stop to such behavior on the streets and make arrest of all offenders in the future.

John Weigle served as Bailiff/Street Commissioner until May of 1927 when his combined position divided. His now sole responsibility was that of Street Commissioner. Police were also given orders at this time by the council to remove all drunken persons off the streets and all such obstructions as littered it at times.

Officer Seipp and Bowers made a request on July 5, 1927 to obtain a gun such as were usually carried by a Police Officer. This is the first recorded mentioning that law enforcement officials of the Westminster community would be armed.

The 1940's

Sixteen quiet years had passed when on July 13, 1943 the Mayor and City Council enacted a "curfew" ordinance. This curfew prohibited boys and girls under (16) years of age to remain in or upon the streets, alleys, or parks and other public places after the hour of 10 p.m., unless they were accompanied by a parent or guardian. A curfew bell was to be sounded (15) minutes before 10 o’clock curfew as a warning to all children who may be on the streets or in public places.

In 1946 City Bailiff’searned between $132.00 and $140.00 per month. During this year, Arthur Bowers was designated as Chief of Police, a temporary assignment, with Regan Erb, Charles Seipp and Edward Wilkinson acting as Bailiffs. (According to city records, this was the first designation where Chief of Police was used as a title for those in charge of the Police Department...a title which is still used today).

With the new invention of modern transportation that occurred in the 1900’s, Bailiffs no longer needed to ride horses or walk to handle calls. They were now able to use motorcycles; and later patrol cars for ease of mobility...providing quicker response time for complaints received.

Initial calls for police services in 1946, were received at the Westminster Fire Department located on Main Street. The "on duty" dispatcher would activate a yellow flashing light suspended over Main Street where a patrolling officer would see it and then respond to the Fire Department to receive the call. This system of dispatching calls continued until the 1950’s when the Police Department then located itself into two small rooms at City Hall. A new trend of radio communication would take over this antiquated method of dispatching calls to where two-way radios were installed in patrol vehicles as well as on motorcycle units.

The 1950's

A City Hall yearly report for 1949 - 1950 advises that most arrests that were made this year were for "simple" assault, drunkenness, disorderly conduct and vagrancy. The Police Department, at this time, was actively involved in implementing and promoting an extensive traffic safety campaign along with pedestrian safety activities. There had been no traffic fatalities in Westminster since September 3, 1949. Westminster was one of three Maryland cities without a fatal motor vehicle accident in 1950 and was presented with an award for such by the National Safety Council. During this time frame, a pedestrian sidewalk safety salesman known as Sammy Safety was placed along Main Street to remind citizens to drive carefully.

The crime rate during 1953 was very low and serious crimes were non-existent. The City’s no fatality record continued from 1949 with the city being recognized once again for its outstanding pedestrian and traffic safety by the American Automobile Association. This remarkable record continued for approximately 26 years.

For ten consecutive years, from May 1955 to May 1965, the Westminster Police Department had little if any turn over in manpower. The Chief of Police at this time was Charles L. Seipp, who supervised the same six Bailiffs during this ten year period. Chief Seipp retired September 30, 1966, after (41) years of service to the Westminster community. The new Chief of Police, appointed to succeed Chief Seipp, was already a twenty year veteran of the police force -- H. Leroy Day. Chief Day "revamped" the police department stating it had "no table of organization, its records were inadequate and that the officers had no rank." He was now in charge of an eight man force. Under his reorganization, police officers were updated in their training concerning communications, element of supervision, fingerprinting, identification and collecting of physical evidence along with collision investigation. They also received further instruction in legality of arrests, criminal law, civil liability, civil rights, criminal interrogation and motor vehicle laws. Chief Day made the comment that this revamping of the department was "just the beginning for a larger police force" and that it was designed to "bring men to their peak as to law enforcement."

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