Key West Police Department

The Key West Police Department (KWPD) is a law enforcement agency servicing a population of 25,031 and 6 square miles[1] within the municipality of Key West, Florida.

Key West Police Department
AbbreviationKWPD
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionKey West, Florida, USA
Size7.4 square miles (19 km2)
Population26,990 (2016)
General nature
Operational structure
HeadquartersKey West, Florida
Agency executive
  • Sean T. Brandenburg, Chief of Police
Website
Key West Police

History

The Key West Police Department (KWPD), officially the "City of Key West Police Department", was established in the early 1800s, having primary responsibilities in law enforcement and investigation within the City of Key West. The KWPD is one of the oldest police departments established in the United States.

The KWPD has a broad array of specialized services to include, Special Response Team, Traffic Enforcement and DUI Unit, K-9 Unit, Marine Unit, School Resource Officers and Special Investigations (Narcotics) Unit. As part of "High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area" (HIDTA) KWPD combats smuggling and performs anti-terrorism joint operations and investigations with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, "Joint Interagency Task Force" (JIATF) and other local, state and federal agencies. According to the department, its mission is "Protecting and Serving Paradise."

Law enforcement within the city of Key West originated with the incorporation of the city in 1828 with a town Marshal. The jail was the brig of a ship docked at the city port. By the turn of the 20th century, in 1900, the KWPD had a complement of 13 sworn officers.[2] On April 23, 1982, the KWPD was the "official" police force of the humorous secession campaign for an independent "Conch Republic".

In 1987, with the hiring of its first FBI Academy graduate as police chief, Key West began moving into a new and professional era, building credibility with other agencies and the public.

In 1991, community-oriented policing styles, procedures and programing was introduced.

Organization

The KWPD is divided into two bureaus:[3]

  • Operations Bureau
  • Administration Bureau

Controversy

In 1984 the KWPD was declared a criminal enterprise and several high-ranking officers of KWPD, including Deputy Police Chief Raymond Casamayor, were arrested on federal charges of running a protection racket for cocaine smugglers.[4]

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See also
  • List of U.S. state and local law enforcement agencies

References
  1. Key West (city) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau Archived 2012-07-12 at WebCite
  2. "City of Key West- Police Department History". City of Key West. 20 August 2006. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  3. Key West Florida ~ Police Department
  4. "Key West Police Department Called a 'Criminal Enterprise'". The New York Times. 1 July 1984. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
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