The 150th anniversary of the founding of the Alexandria Police Department was marked with an informal gathering on July 15 at police headquarters. Sgt. Biruk Dessalegn, a school resource supervisor said, “There are not a lot of agencies worldwide that are this old. It’s usually the larger agencies like New York or Philly that have been around this long so it is unique for a department of our size to be marking this milestone.”
According to the Alexandria Gazette Packet, “The Alexandria Police Department was founded on July 15, 1870, with a captain, a lieutenant, and 19 patrolmen. All officers were issued star-shaped tin badges but each had to supply their own uniforms and guns. In 1918, the Motor Unit was established with the purchase of one Harley-Davidson motorcycle for use in answering emergency calls.”
As per Alexandria Gazette Packet, “This department has an outstanding reputation,” said 26-year APD veteran Lt. Bart Bailey. “I take a lot of pride in working here. There have been a lot of rewards and a lot of challenges through the years but in the end, it is all worth it.” Sponsored by the Alexandria Police Foundation, the luncheon replaced a larger planned gathering that was canceled earlier this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
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