Alexandria Police Department Marks 150th Anniversary

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The Alexandria Police Department is marking its 150th anniversary in 2020. City Council will present a resolution recognizing the anniversary on Tuesday, Jan. 14.

The police department dates back to July 15, 1870, when Alexandria’s Board of Alderman and Common Council authorized it. The resolution honors one constable and sixteen police officers who died throughout the police department's history.

Various milestones recognized in the resolution are the establishment of technical crime scene investigative capabilities in the late 1920s, interoperability radio communications in the 1940s, community relations team in the 1960s and computer and 911 capabilities in the 1970s and 1980s. In 1959, it became one of the region's first police departments to have a canine team, and it was one of the first police departments in the U.S. to earn national accreditation in 1986. The police department was headquartered at several locations throughout the years; it has been at 3600 Wheeler Avenue since 2011.

The police department will celebrate the 150th anniversary throughout the year with special programs, tributes and special anniversary badges. One of the anniversary badges will be worn by officers throughout July; the other is authorized throughout 2020.

A large public event in July is in the works to mark the July 15, 1870 founding. Details will be announced in the future.