COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION

Back in 1651, citizens who were selected as watchmen would twirl a wooden ratchet if they needed assistance. Ninety years later, watchmen turned their rattles in for a bell and lantern. In 1845, one of the first orders of business adopted was the latest technology, the telegraph. Signal boxes were installed on the streets and patrolmen used Morse Code to contact precincts. Later, the signal boxes were equipped with telephones and green lights. Radio Motor Patrol wasn't formally established until 1932 followed by RMP's with a two-way system in 1937. In these days of microwave transmission, lasers and fiber-optics, the use of a cellular phone in a police car is not an uncommon sight. October 14, 1973 was the day the multimillion dollar communication complex went into full operation occupying two floors at 1 Police Plaza. It has been designed, equipped and staffed to bring the full resources of the Department to the public faster and efficiently. Police officers attached to precincts and specialized squads, provide more comprehensive information and assistance than any prior system.

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