Temple Police Dept history

An extreme example of the problems in the department came to light on November 29, 1891, when Salt lake City Police Captain Parker was involved in a heated argument with Officer George Albright.

On February 1, 1892, Edgar M. Janney was appointed 10th Chief of Police.

In 1894, January 2nd, Arthur Pratt became 12th Chief of Police.

When Pratt left the department Chief Thomas H. Hilton was appointed as the fifteenth Chief of Police, April 5, 1899.

As preface to this brief history in 1901, an unknown writer did publish a rather descriptive tribute to the police officer of the day:

On November 28, 1903, Walter Temple married Lorenza Librada Alvitre-Gonzales, a member of an early Spanish California family it has been said was related to half the residents of San Gabriel.

On August 1, 1907, R. McKenzie became the eighteenth Chief, only serving for approximately 2 months.

In 1909 Samuel Barlow became the twentieth Chief of Police.

In 1912, the City Council form of government changed to a commission form and with it a new Chief of Police, B.F. Grant.

Pictured is one of the first Motor Squads, circa 1913.

In 1916, Chief Grant was removed with a change of administration.

In late 1919, Chief White left the department seeking political office.

On February 8, 1921, Chief Burbidge and a squad of detectives, including Green B. Hamby, entered the Nord Hotel at 59 ½ East Second South to arrest burglary suspects.

In spite of prevailing conditions, by 1925, the Salt Lake City Police Department initiated many “firsts”. They installed a PBX switchboard in Police headquarters.

In April of 1927, officers were required to carry a new standardized department weapon, the Colt .38 Army Special.

1930 was the beginning of the Great Depression and with it new police problems arose as officers began to deal with many more citizens that were unemployed.

In 1936, Chief Payne resigned and went to work for the National Auto Theft Bureau.

1938 Odes B. Record, Inspector of Police, was selected as interim Chief and served in that position until a retired Army Officer, Colonel William Webb, was appointed as the next Chief of Police.

In 1942 Chief Vetterli again wrote to the City Administration: “There has been no increase in manpower in the Salt Lake City Police Department despite the influx in population.

In November of 1945, a Lieutenant from within the department became the 25th Chief.

Utah celebrated its’ Centennial in 1947.

By 1951 three more officers were added to the force along with two-way radios in 60 patrol cars.

In December 1954, the department began to operate under a forty hour work week.

By 1957, the department began to reflect moderate change.

The redundancy in the name City of Temple City came when Temple City incorporated on May 25, 1960.

Chief Knudson retired from the department in 1966 and was replaced by Chief Dewey J. Fillis.

Because of differences with a young new police commissioner, Glen Greener, and the disloyalty of a high ranking police officer, Jones tendered his resignation in 1974.

His great grandson, Jake Green, would later become an officer and retire in 1985.

In June of 1988, Major G. Ed Johnson was appointed interim Police Chief to serve until a successor to Willoughby was found.

Chris Burbank was hired as a Police Officer with the department in May of 1991.

In late August 1992, Chief Johnson announced that he would be retiring from the Department in October.

The department spent most of 2001 gearing up to deal with any potential problems.