The Delta Police Department was established on July 7, 1888 and planning is now underway to celebrate its 125th anniversary.
A committee of police and civilian personnel is busy organizing a series of events profiling the history of this service. The fruits of this effort will unfold during National Police Week in May of next year and culminate with a gala banquet in the fall.
We'll keep you informed as we draw closer to that time.
This is my segue into a bit of police department history as known to me. Delta's first policeman, Const. Joe Jordan, was appointed by Delta council in 1888, some nine years after incorporation.
The need arose as a result of the "frontier" character in the Ladner and Port Guichon areas. This area was known for its gambling, prostitution and opium use, in part because of the large Chinese population.
Delta went so far as to legislate drug use by issuing opium vendor licences ($25 fee) and licences for smoking opium ($5 fee). It was a novel way to generate revenue.
Jordan was also Delta's first chief of police and remained so until his retirement in 1911. His daughter Amy wed a young fellow by the name of Dugald Morrison, who later in life became a respected mayor of Delta.
The department was first located in the municipal hall at Elliott and Chisholm streets in Ladner. In 1912, Delta's new hall was opened at Bridge and Delta streets (now the Delta Museum) and the department headquarters and jail were located on the ground floor.
As the years progressed and population increased, the department opened its own headquarters on Delta Street and remained there until 1972.
In the years following the Second World War and into the 1950s, Ladner was known for its farming and commercial fishing. The attraction for some was the beer parlour at the hotel in the centre of town.
Too much free time and beer occasionally resulted in fisticuffs spilling onto the main street.
Delta's police force was small with a large territory and only two constables.
I can recall as a youngster watching with horror a young police constable beaten and handcuffed to his police car after having attempted to break up a fight in front of the beer parlour. I remember, with regret, one of the combatants was a distant cousin.
The constable was rescued by a retired wrestler, Paul Dirks, who owned a nearby bakery. Such was the small town environment that was generally idyllic.
As kids, we had freedom to roam, use our imaginations, play pick up games, and hunt and fish. We organized a protest against an increase in the cost of a popsicle from five cents to six cents. No police intervention was required.
Those days were so similar to Mayberry.
By 1971, the department had 45 uniformed officers as the dramatic increase in population required a greater police presence.
On Nov. 2, 1974, we lost our small town innocence when S/Sgt. Ron McKay was tragically and senselessly killed while on duty, standing on the steps of a house with his hands in his pockets. This chilling moment affected every citizen in Delta and looms large in our policing history.
Delta now has 170 uniformed police officers and 70 support personnel. We are fortunate to have our own very sophisticated police department, effectively managed by Chief Jim Cessford and his administration team.
And a good night to you, Melissa.
