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The City of Berkeley, California was incorporated in 1878 and was policed by an elected town Marshall. The Marshall was assisted by elected Constables who throughout the years primarily served papers and seldom made arrests without a warrant. At the turn of the century, crime increased and...
In 1905, August Vollmer was elected town Marshall. In 1909, he was appointed as the City of Berkeley's first Chief of Police. Chief Vollmer was instrumental in organizing the department, creating what we now call a "Code of Ethics", which included eliminating the acceptance of gratuities, rewards or favors."
Chief Vollmer demanded a high level of honesty, efficiency, interest and hard work from his officers. This has continued to this day, which has been the foundation for BPD's reputation in the law enforcement field.
Chief Vollmer's progressive thinking and use of new innovations in law enforcement became the foundation that BPD has been built upon and provided a legacy as a department that can be called "First in Policing" in so many areas.
Our Mission is to safeguard our diverse community through proactive law enforcement and problem solving, treating all people with dignity and respect. The Berkeley Police Department's Vision is:
We will be a team of leaders at every level. We will foster strong relationships with our community, inspiring trust through our service, building on our historic tradition of progressive policing, and dedicated to the safety of all. As members of this community, we will provide proactive law enforcement and problem solving, holding these as our core values:
Integrity: We are ethical, fair, and trustworthy in all we do. Safety: We strive to keep our community and each other safe.
Respect: We fulfill our duties with dignity, compassion, and empathy.
Diversity: We value the strength of a diverse workplace and community. We endeavor to reflect the community we serve, promoting inclusion and fairness.
Professionalism: We are committed to organizational excellence through progressive training, positive attitude and superior performance.
