In March, 1990, West Palm Beach became the 140th Law Enforcement Agency in the nation and the 20th in the State of Florida to become accredited. The process took three years, culminating in a one week on-site assessment in January of 1990.

Implementation of innovative programs begun in the 1980's continued. February, 1991 saw the implementation of the Community Oriented Policing program. This program was developed for the department in the Patrol Division by Captain Eugene G. Savage, the first black officer to achieve that rank. Officers were assigned in three neighborhoods to start: Northwood, Dunbar Village, and Grandview Heights. The program has continued to expand, reaching twenty officers and areas by the end of 1993.

In March of 1992, ground was broken for the construction of the new police complex at 601 Clematis Street. The 18 million dollar project will begin a new era for the Police Department. The new station will be twice the size of the Datura Street station: 106,000 square feet compared to 52,000 square feet in the old one.

On October 1, 1992, the Truancy Interdiction Program (TIP) began operating on the campus of Sable Palm School. The target was to reduce truancy by 11 to 16 year-old students. Parental involvement and school follow-up are part of the program. Funded by a grant, the program has served over 1,300 students and their parents through May of 1994. Police departments from Lake Worth to Jupiter have brought truants to the center. The program has resulted in a reduction in juvenile crime and an increase in school attendance. The program has proved to be a model for the State of Florida and the nation.

On December 6, 1992, the Patrol Division implemented a four days on, four days off schedule negotiated by the PBA. The work days are 11 1/2 hours, but the officers love the four days off. The schedule is simpler to manage and results in more officers on the street at any given time. It also allowed each patrol car to be assigned to only two officers instead of being shared among several officers. This resulted in a sense of pride in the patrol car. Maintenance costs are down and the patrol cars haven't looked this good in years. The city benefitted from a reduction in overtime expenditures, too.

The economic recession of the late 1980's and early 1990's finally caught up with the City of West Palm Beach in 1993. Not since the depression had lay-offs of police personnel been a possibility. In July, they became a reality. Sworn positions had not been filled in months, leaving twelve unfilled openings. These positions were eliminated. Two Assistant Chief and two Captain positions were eliminated.

It wasn't enough. Civilian positions created in the 1980's to free sworn personnel for street duty were eliminated. Some positions just disappeared. Sworn personnel assumed the duties of others. The Police Aides were laid off. The Accreditation Manager was laid off. Communications personnel were laid off. Clerical personnel were laid off. The Police Cadet program begun in 1965 was eliminated. Some civilian and sworn appointed positions had salary rollbacks from five to twelve percent. Positions were eliminated from theTraffic Division and Criminal Investigations to fill Patrol and C.O.P. Citywide, 103 positions were expected to be cut. It was a tough time for everyone.

But we came through. The beginning of the Centennial Year of 1994 saw improvements in the financial condition of the city. Pay cuts and raises that were held back were returned. The new police complex occupying a full city block between Clematis and Banyan west of Rosemary is nearly finished. Some of the positions that were eliminated may be restored later this year.

The West Palm Beach Police Department will be celebrating the Centennial by wearing replicas of the original town marshall's badge until New Years Day, 1995. By doing so, we honor everyone who has come before us. We look forward to the future and hope we, too, leave a legacy of service, pride, and honor that begins with this book.

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