LOOKING BACK
The First of
Wayne’s
Finest
Circa 1915
The Wayne Police Department celebrates its 100th Anniversary this June. In 1900, the first police chief,
Charles McGee, was appointed and was the only member of the police force until Charles Hamilton
became the township’s first police officer in 1915 (pictured above: Chief McGee, Officer Hamilton and the
first police recorder, Harry Hammond). Subsequently, the Wayne Police Department (WPD) was formed.
At the time, the most prevalent crimes in this farming community included chicken stealing, produce theft,
trespassing, drunk driving and parking violations. To keep the peace,
Chief McGee often patrolled the Mountain View community in the first squad car.
– Photographs and information courtesy of WPD Detective Scott Rappaport
and the Wayne Township Historical Commission.
Do you have a great photo for Looking Back? Send your suggestions to [email protected].
68 WAYNE MAGAZINE MAY 2015