GPD STARTS RESERVE PROGRAM

This was the start of the Greenville Police Departments Reserve Program, with five volunteer applicants.
This photo was taken at the swearing in Ceremony in Council Chambers at City Hall in Greenville, S.C.
From left to right: Chief Harold Jennings, E.K. Tucker, Don LePorte, Jim Covil, David Tammen, Frank Day, and Don Belue. Photo Circa 1976.

LePorte was selected to be the Lieutenant and Tucker was the Sergeant.  Later, Tucker took the leadership position as LePorte left the program.  Tucker remained the unit Lieutenant until he moved to Texas after accepting a promotion with 3M.

The Reserve program grew over the years to a maximum of 30 volunteers, who put in numerous hours to assist with various law enforcement tasks. The program ended in the 1990's due primarily to continuing regulations, and requirements imposed on law enforcement in general, which made it almost impossible to utilize volunteers.

A worthy program in its day, with many dedicated men and women participating over the years. 

Greenville, SC Police Department in the 1800's

This circa 1873 photo matches others we have seen of that time period, and appears to have been taken on McBee Ave. The uniforms have the long coats, and the rounded type hats. You can see that several of the Officers are holding "nightsticks". The officer on the far left is believed to be the commanding officer. If you have any information or details on this photo, please contact us. Anything would be helpful to establish the historical data for all of our research. cd

Greenville, SC Police Dept. Firearms Training

This photo of Greenville, SC Police Officers during firearms training was taken near the intersection of what is now McDaniel and East Broad Sts. This is now a part of the park system where the water fall is located. It appears that the Officers are training with shotguns. If you have any information about this photo, please let us know so that we can record more of the history. cd

Greenville SC Police Dept. Photo (McBee Ave.)

Here is an early photo of Greenville, SC Police Officers standing in front of the Police Barracks on McBee Ave. Check out the uniforms and hats. If you can ID any of the officers or furnish information about this photograph let us know.

Police Cars in front of the old 22 W. Broad St. HQ

This old photo is of 1950,s Police Cars parked in front of the old Headquarters building at 22 West Broad Street in Greenville, SC. The department was located here until all was moved to the Law Enforcement Center on McGee St. This building recently fell victim to the wrecking ball to make way for the new hotel-office complex that is being built.

GREENVILLE SC POLICE DEPARTMENT RESEARCH CONTINUES

We have placed a lot of emphasis on collection of material during the past year and now we have started the task of publishing our data to this website. Join us on this site from time to time and checkout the new posts, and be sure to make comments and add to the articles.

We welcome any information related to the GPD and its history. If you were a part of any investigation, inquiry, or case feel free to contribute. The more information we have the more interesting the read.

Thanks to everyone who have made contributions this year and we look forward to all of you being a part of this project as we continue to capture the history of the Greenville Police Department.

CDB

CITY MANAGER SETS BENEFITS MEETING

A letter dated May 19th, 2008 was sent to retirees of the City of Greenville, South Carolina to inform them of a meeting set for June 11th, 2008. According to the letter signed by City Manager James M. Bourey it is a Important Notice Regarding Your Retiree Benefits. It sets the meeting time at 3:00PM with the location being at the Carolina First Center. The letter also states changes will be made and that we will learn more at the meeting.

There is mention of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, the CPI, rise in costs, and the impact of the liability, all of which reeks of political rhetoric and smoke-screening. I encourage everyone to read your letter closely and come to the meeting prepared to ask questions, input your thoughts, and take detailed notes.

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT MEETING AND MUCH IS AT STAKE, so please don't take it lightly.

Information on this meeting was posted in the June Retired Law Enforcement Officers Newsletter.