Bathing Suit Police at the Tidal Basin
The photograph is Washington police officer Bill Norton measuring the distance between the knee and the swimsuit.
The Metropolitan Police Department has been Washington’s city police force since 1861, when Congress established it to maintain order in a capital suddenly flooded with soldiers and refugees. These posts explore the MPD’s history, from its Civil War origins and the colorful officers who defined its early years to the crime waves and reforms that shaped modern policing in DC.
The photograph is Washington police officer Bill Norton measuring the distance between the knee and the swimsuit.
Explore an old map of Washington in 1880 and discover the exact locations of the fire stations and police stations. Learn about the history of the city through this fascinating map.
In 1866, Washington police officer William West stopped President Ulysses Grant for driving his horse too fast near the White House, confiscated the buggy, and sent the president home on foot.
Fascinating article of our blog’s favorite hero Officer Sprinkle.
Thanks to a tweet, we came across an amazing photo of Officer Sprinkle and his brother from the National Law Enforcement Museum’s blog. Check it out!
Remembering Raymond B. Sprinkle, the beloved son of Police Officer Sprinkle. His obituary was recently shared by long-time GoDCer John. Read about the mass & interment with military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.
In March 1972, a metropolitan policeman was arrested in Washington D.C. and charged with the armed robbery of a practical nurse at the George Washington University Hospital. Read the incredible story here!
This is a wild story we dug up from the Washington Post. It was published on June 5th, 1938 and features a storybook arrest; two automobiles were struck by the fleeing motorist! With a photo from 1938, you can get a feel for the era
Take a look at this fascinating photograph from the 1920s: a policeman is seen having a chat with the driver of a car and his passenger, a young African-American man.