GETTING AROUND TOWN FASTER:
A BRIEF HISTORY OF CPD TRANSPORTATION
At the PONetwork, we’ve traced the history of notable police officers and the ways they communicated. Last month, we highlighted Chicago’s need for speed–and the efforts to slow it down. Today, we’re highlighting the history of police transportation–from mounted units, to Harley Davidsons, to automobiles.
A Trusty Steed, Indeed
At the scene of an accident, motorists are accustomed to wailing sirens and flashing lights. In the earliest days of policing, it was pure horsepower (pun intended) that took responding units to the scene. The Chicago Police Department utilized what is known as “the first modern police vehicle” (A Proud Tradition: A Pictorial History of the Chicago Police Department). Pulled by a single horse (or two, depending on the size), this wagon doubled as an ambulance, supplied with blankets, stretchers, and policing essentials, like handcuffs. Specialized members of the police were equipped with first aid–lifesaving skills, should the need arise. One of the members sounded a gong to help clear a path.
YOUR HANDY-DANDY TIME MACHINE
While the Chicago Police wagon pales in comparison to what we are familiar with today, it served its purpose for its time. To meet the needs of a rapidly growing city, the Chicago Police Department needed to expand. In the year 1900, the Department purchased 45 patrol wagons and spent “$20,000 on horse feed.” 1906 saw the formation of the Mounted Police Unit (still used to this day to provide assistance for crowd control and civil demonstrations). But times were changing–and the need for speed was hard to ignore.
The Allure of the Automobile
The first three police automobiles rolled onto the scene in 1908. These squad cars were revolutionary not just for the everyday driver but for the Department itself. Model Ts were known for capabilities the world hadn’t yet seen before, able to navigate “the stairs of the Tennessee State capitol and reaching the top of Pikes Peak.” With that amount of stamina, it’s not surprising why the CPD had their eyes on them.
It’s undeniable that Ford Model Ts introduced a new era of transportation–still, it took quite a considerable amount of concentration to get the vehicle up to speed, and on the road. The vehicle featured three pedals: one to reverse, one to brake, one to act as a clutch. Instead of a typical gas pedal, the accelerator was attached to the steering wheel–a hand throttle.
The model typically reached a maximum speed of 20mph, and since there wasn’t an easy way to check gas levels, the driver had to be vigilant on consumption and distance needed. As the video notes, Model Ts were well-regarded for their ability to handle unfavorable terrain–like snow banks and icy roads (which served the police well in Chicago winters).
Our July calendar image features a lineup of Ford Model A automobiles, which first hit the market in 1927. This version was a bold departure from the Model T, equipped with a “Triplex shatterproof safety windshield and hydraulic shocks.”
That isn’t to say that The Department didn’t experiment with other modes of transportation…
The Allure of the Automobile
Just how hard is it to balance upside down on a motorcycle while speeding around a packed arena? Pretty difficult! Yet, the Thrill Shows made it look easy.
Held annually at Solider Field, these events brought motorcycle usage to the center stage, letting Chicagoans watch their police and fire departments demonstrate high-energy stunts.
As early as 1910, the department utilized motorcycles to get from point A to point B, and according to Chief of Police Steward, they served other purposes:
“✓ Rounding up burglars and thieves of all sorts.
✓ Enforcing the 1 o’clock closing ordinance.
✓ Keeping the streets and alleys clear of hoodlums.
✓ Patrolling outlying districts, where it is necessary to cover much territory.”
By 1918, the department had 100 motorized cars and 75 motorcycles in its possession, “including converted horse-drawn wagons, touring cars, roadsters, and even, for a short time, a bright canary-yellow police car” (A Proud Tradition).
The next decade rolled around, with Prohibition fast on its heels. To outsmart bootleggers, the department needed a faster, more adept solution: an entirely unique Harley Davidson model. Thus, the Servi-car was born, a three-wheeled wonder that “was so popular with police departments that it was procured into the early 1970s.” Davidson remains a trusted solution for many departments over the country to this day.
The Iconic White and Blue
For many, black and white may be the first color scheme that comes to mind when they picture a “police vehicle.” The CPD, however, is known for their blue aesthetic. But how exactly did they get there?
In 1960, revolutionary Civilian Superintendent Orlando W. Wilson gave the department a new appeal, switching from the standard black and white squad cars to blue and white (Chicago Police Department). The CPD also started donning checkered hat bands and brass name tags. These changes helped rejuvenate the Department’s appearance–and helped shape its new look as it faced toward the future.
At the PONetwork, we’re always eager to find unique facts about members of the police–and the transportation they used throughout their careers.
We’re eager to know if you have any information or images you care to share regarding:
- Chicago Police vehicles over the years, and their history with the CPD?
- Chicago’s annual Thrill Shows?
Send details and photos to pon@ponetwork.com. Together, let’s dig deeper into history!
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