Metropolitan Nashville Police Department Celebrates 200th Anniversary
Chief Ronal Serpas recently presented Mayor Bill Purcell (center) and Vice
Mayor Howard Gentry (right) with commemorative bicentennial badges in honor
of the Metropolitan Police Department's 200th anniversary. The badges resemble
those worn by Nashville's police officers in the 1800's.
Officers throughout the department have been given the option of wearing the current style badge or the bicentennial style throughout 2006. Bicentennial badges will be retired at midnight on December 31, 2006.
Nashville Police History:
Records reflect that Nashville's first recorded law enforcement officer was High Constable John Deatheridge, who served during 1806 and 1807. Deatheridge became High Constable after the State of Tennessee, in 1806, revised the act of incorporation of Nashville. That action gave town officials "power to pass all laws and ordinances necessary to preserve the health of the town; to prevent and remove nuisances; to establish night watches and patrols; and to restrain and prohibit gaming."