• From 1894 to 1934 , law enforcement was handled through a succession of Marshals and Police Chiefs .

• In 1922 , the City bought a two-cell steel jail for $ 302.40 to replace the wooden jail .

• A . B . “ Ott ” Cribbs was hired as a police officer in 1926 and was appointed to Police Chief in 1934 , a position he held for the next 37 years until retirement in 1971 . Only 5 police chiefs have been appointed since 1971 .

• In 1941 , the City Council passed an ordinance permitting police officers to make arrests without warrants .

• In 1972 , APD ’ s SWAT team was developed .

• The K-9 Unit was established in 1985 .

• Harold Elliott became the department ’ s first full-time chaplain in 1982 .

A . B . ( Ott ) Cribbs 1934-1971

Roy Ables 1983-1985

• In 1986 , the department changed from a tan uniform to a dark blue uniform , established the Honor Guard , and instituted a bachelor ’ s degree entrance requirement .

• The department received its first CALEA accreditation in 1989 under the leadership of Chief David Kunkle .

• In 1992 , the department instituted bicycle patrols to support community-oriented policing projects .

• The department adopted geographic policing and problem solving in 1996 .

• Graduated the 50 th Academy class in 2016 .

Will Johnson 2013-present

Theron Bowman 1999-2012

David Kunkle 1985-1999

Police Chief Year Appointed Police Chief Year Appointed

Annual Report 2016