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PART THREE :
SAPD AT MID CENTURY :
1950 - 1980
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| MILEPOSTS: During the decades following WWII, San Antonio, the state of
Texas, and the entire nation, experienced a period of prosperity and growth.
Rapid growth occurred in the economy, in education, and
in technology, accompanied by national and local changes in politics and applied
government. For San Antonio the major Milestones of this period were: * Change in City Government Structure: San Antonio changed from a strong mayor-led form of government, to a Council-Manager form, following the blueprint laid out in the new City Charter of 1951. * Tourism and International: The 1968 Hemisfair and the legacy of buildings (hotels, public buildings) and improvements (Riverwalk, Hemisfair Park) that positioned the City as a major tourism destination. * Transportation : Development of an extensive Freeway System. * Technology and Education: Establishment of UT Health Science Center, UTSA, and other public and private research institutions (SwRI, SwFoundation, Aereospace Research at Brooks, etc.). |
| LAW ENFORCEMENT: For SAPD, the post-war period brought both stability
and change. Mayors had previously contolled the appointment of the
Chief of Police/Chief Marshal, with a long list of Chiefs going in
and out of office
according to the popularity (or whim) of the mayor, who was himself subject
to election every 2 years. With the shift to a Council-Manager form
of city government, the position of Chief of Police entered a new period
of stability: the longest-serving Chief in SAPD history, Chief
Bichsel (19 years) was appointed in 1953; only 5 other men served as
chief throughout the rest of the 20th century. The 1950s was also
a period of expansion in SAPD, not only of manpower, but also of facilities,
with the passage of a bond for a new Headquarters building, an expansion
of the crime laboratory, more (and more modern) equipment for officers
and support staff, and an increase in professionalism in all areas of the
Department. Chief Bichsel's appointment as chief in 1953 and the 1957 Leonard Report (A Survey of the Police Department) are the most significant turning points for SAPD. |
| 1950: | * POPULATION of San Antonio = 406,811 |
| 1951: | * City Council adopts a new City Charter 10/02/51, providing for a Council-Manager form of government. (Goes into effect 01/01/52). |
| 1951: | * R.D. Allen becomes Chief of Police 12/01/51. |
| 1952: | * New City Council installed: - 9 council members, elected at-large for 2-year terms; Mayor elected by Council from its ranks; City Mamager appointed by Council; all department heads appointed by City Manager. |
| 1952: | * First "Mother Patrol" of School Crossing Guards. (By
1953 they were called "Mama Patrol".)
For more information on this program,
please go to the School Crossing Guards page.
Photo at Right shows assembled group of School Crossing Guards in 1954. |
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| 1953: | * E.B. Haddox becomes Chief of Police 05/29/53. |
| 1953-54: | * Bexar County Sheriff's Office and the San Antonio Fire Department complete the installation of their 2-way radio systems. |
| 1953: | *George W. Bichsel becomes Chief of Police 10/16/53, a position he will hold until 1971. Bichsel still holds the record for the length of his term as Chief of Police (19 yrs). |
SAPD DURING THE BICHSEL YEARS (1953 - 1971)
| 1955: | * In the 1956 SAPD Annual Report Chief George W. Bichsel
(shown right)
writes that the decade ending in 1955 was marked in San
Antonio by annexations, spiraling population and vehicle
registration. Police manpower increased slightly, but
was absorbed by a shorter work week and longer annual
leave. * Chief Bichsel asked for an increase in police officers to meet these increasing demands. * The SAPD began to grow yearly : - In 1954 there were 370 police officers (sworn personnel) - 1956 = 422 sworn - 1957 = 481 sworn - 1958 = 516 sworn |
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| 1957: | * Police Consultant Donald S. Leonard presents his
350 page report on the SAPD to the Department and to
City Council. The study, A Survey of the Police
Department, April, 1957, made 149 recommendations
for improving the Department, including new buildings,
new technology, and more modern equipment for the
police officers. The Leonard study was a major turning point for SAPD. Most of the recommendations were put into effect during the next 10 years, and would significantly transform SAPD from an early 20th century, low-tech, non-professional police department to a department that had modern facilities, modern technology, and followed modern police practices. |
| 1958: | * A $6 million bond issue is approved which will pay for a new Police Headquarters building ($2.15M) and a new Jail ($3.85M). |
| 1958-59: | * SAPD Communications moves to a new Communications Center, with more room, new equipment, and separate dispatchers' booths. The Department also moves to a 2-frequency radio operation. |
1950s : IN MEMORYFor a list of SAPD Officers Killed in the Line of Duty During the 1950s, Please click here |
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SOME REFERENCES: