The history of the Cincinnati Police Department began with the passage of an ordinance by the City Council on March 29, 1803, establishing a night watch for the city of Cincinnati, which required all male residents who had reached the age of twenty one years and over to register for duty and serve in rotation. These men were divided into groups of twelve men each, one of whom was chosen as a captain. these two groups would alternate in taking the east and west sides of town, which extended from the ohio River to sixth Street and from Walnut Street to broadway. This territory had a population of 9,000 people. The original force served without pay until October 18, 1818, when it was found necessary to change from this night watch to another form of policing because the original system was inefficient, crime was rampant, and the public demandd a change. A paid guard was then appointed, which consisted of a captain and six subordinates who policed the city until 1825, when this guard was increased to two captains and eighteen guards, which was maintained at a total operating expense of $3,000 per anum.  This force, however was reduced in 1829 to one captain, one assistant and five guards, which was maintained at a total cost of $977.30 per anum. In 1834 an ordinance was passed levying a tax of one mill on the dollar to defray the expense of maintaining the night watch. This was the first city on record to maintain a regular police force by taxation.  In 1840 the compensation for a watchman or guard was one dollar per night. Prior to this time (1840) appointments were made by the city council, and from 1843 to 1853 , all watchmen were chosen by popular ballet.

        On May 27, 1844, two watchmen were appointed for day duty at a salary of $1.25 per day. Before this time there were only night watchmen. An ordinance was passed in 1849 requiring the election of six watchmen from each ward, five of whom were to serve as night watchmen and one as a day watchman. An ordinance was also passed the same year creating the position of Chief of police. and six lieutenants. However these appointments were not made until 1853 when JACOB KAIFER was appointed the first Chief of Police. He held the post only a few weeks when he was dismissed from the service. He was suceeded by the following Chiefs of Police: THOMAS LOOKEN, DAVID HOKE, JOHN DUDLEY, EDWARD HOPKINS, each of whose tenure of office was of short duration. The Detective Bureau was organized in 1854.   In 1855 the force totaled 101 members.

        JAMES L. RUFFIN was appointed Chief of Police in 1857 and the force was reduced to ninety men. In 1859 JAMES L. RUFFIN was suceeded by LEWIS WILSON. It was during this year that the first attempt was made to organize the police forces in cities of more than 80,000 or more population and to provide for a police commisioner by an act of the legislature. The salary for the chief of police was paid by both the city and the county, he receiving $ 1, 500 from the city and $500 from the county. The act of Legislature authorizing the appointment of a police commissioner was repealed in 1860. In 1861 J.W. DUDLEY was suceeded as Chief of Police by Col. LAWRENCE HAZEN who later became Chief of detectives.

        JAMES L. RUFFIN was reappointed the head of the force in 1864 in the capacity of lieutenant, and Mayor L.A. HARRIS assumed full command until 1871, when DAVID BLEEKS was appointed chief of Police. In 1873 an act of legislature was passed creating a police commission of four men to manage the police force. This commission changed the title "Chief of Police" to "Superintendent of Police" The act creating a police commission was repealed in 1874 and the police force came under direct supervisoin of the Mayor, who then selected Col. KIERSTED as Chief of Police. he was suceeded in 1875 by THOMAS E. SNELBAKER, who in turn was releived by Capt. JAKE JOHNSON in 1877.

        During this year the control of the police force was transferred from the mayor to the board of Police commissioners. This board appointed IRA WOOD Chief of police. He died in 1878 and was suceeded by GEORGE ZIEGLER, then by ENOCH T. CARSON who continued as Superintendant of Police until 1881 , when the board of Police commisioners were again abolished, the mayor taking over the management of the force, He appointed JACOB GESSERT as Chief of Police but GESSERT resigned after a few weeks of service and was suceeded by Col. M.F. REILLY.  The Board of Police commissioners was again created in 1885. This is the first time that the commissioners received compensation for their duties. Col. M.F. REILLY retired during this year and Col. EDWIN HUDSON became Superintendent of police.

        A bill was passed by the legislature in march, 1886, creating a non-partisan police force and increasing the force from 300 to 400 men. The first superintendent of police under the new organization was Col. ARTHUR G. MOORE, who held office but a short time, being suceeded by Col PHILLIP DEITSCH, who reorganizd the force and put it on a firm basis, making the detective bureau a distinct department with PHILLIP RETTINGER as chief of detectives. Chief RETTINGER was suceeded after six months service by Mr. RALPH CRAWFORD, and six months later by mr. HARRY HAZEN.  In 1890 the detective bureau consisted of five detectives, two clerks and one chief of Detectives.

        Col. PHILLIP DEITSCH passed on and was suceeded by Col. PAUL M. MILLIKEN on March 3rd. 1903 He was suceeded by Col. WILLIAM JACKSON on October 15, 1910. On March 29th, 1912, he was suceeded by col. WILLIAM COPELAN, who has served honorably and efficiently as Chief of Police up to the present time ( 1929)