Finally, if the officer that was assigned to the Patrol Signal System switchboard at the station saw a box light up, but no one was on the line, he was to call the Police Dispatcher immediately and report a policeman in trouble at the location of that box. The officer figjhting for hios life at the box had in all probabilty got the box open, despite the struggle and was able to knock the phone off the hook, and thus sending a signal for help to the station, and a Policeman in Trouble was sent.
Another important purpose for the call boxes was to keep officers awake on the midnight tour of duty. Having to pull a box every hour on the hour, or on the half, tended to keep one awake, instead of asleep in some hoodle. The most important purpose though was that if the station didn't hear from you, especially after missing two boxes, they would come looking for you; to either save your bacon if you were under the gun of some miscreant or to find your body.
I was one of those who used the call boxes. The technigue for taking a man you've just arrested to the nearest call box was to hold him by the back of his belt with your left hand (If you were right handed) and your baton, or stick as we called it, in your right hand. With this standard operating procedure, you could pull the man backward and down to the ground while cracking his shins with your stick; while whispering in his ear that is what was going to happen to him if he resisted you.
Lots more history of Police and Fire Callboxes on this DC History blog...The House History Man...google it and then search for Police Call Box
HistoryManDC 2 weeks ago
Congrats!!
southcop 1 year ago
The sergeant in this video is working with a book company to publish a coffeetable type book of the MPDC's history. You can call him for details.
Ddayjune6 2 years ago
HT1938, thanks for your informative comments. It's great to have some history from a person who was there and did that!
MrMotes 2 years ago
The is Gold leaf on the bill of their caps.
HT1938 2 years ago
Jerry F, Thanks for the heads up on this.
Ddayjune6 2 years ago
Yeah, I saw that too Ddayjune6. I wonder when they are going to give them Gold leaves on the bill of their caps?
HT1938 2 years ago
Don't give them the idea. I'm still shaking my head at the the generals' stars.
Ddayjune6 2 years ago
How many people on this planet have ever polished a callbox key?
Ddayjune6 2 years ago
When the Motorola HT200 handheld radios didn't work (the antennas easily broke and reception was spotty) callboxes always did.
(gold service stripes for Sgts?)
Ddayjune6 2 years ago
Finally, if the officer that was assigned to the Patrol Signal System switchboard at the station saw a box light up, but no one was on the line, he was to call the Police Dispatcher immediately and report a policeman in trouble at the location of that box. The officer figjhting for hios life at the box had in all probabilty got the box open, despite the struggle and was able to knock the phone off the hook, and thus sending a signal for help to the station, and a Policeman in Trouble was sent.
HT1938 2 years ago
I wonder if any PSS boards still exist? Or, a station clerk who will give you a mark when you need to be somewhere for awhile?
Ddayjune6 2 years ago
Anyone remember what Bumper Morgan used a certain callbox for?
Ddayjune6 2 years ago
Another important purpose for the call boxes was to keep officers awake on the midnight tour of duty. Having to pull a box every hour on the hour, or on the half, tended to keep one awake, instead of asleep in some hoodle. The most important purpose though was that if the station didn't hear from you, especially after missing two boxes, they would come looking for you; to either save your bacon if you were under the gun of some miscreant or to find your body.
HT1938 2 years ago
I was one of those who used the call boxes. The technigue for taking a man you've just arrested to the nearest call box was to hold him by the back of his belt with your left hand (If you were right handed) and your baton, or stick as we called it, in your right hand. With this standard operating procedure, you could pull the man backward and down to the ground while cracking his shins with your stick; while whispering in his ear that is what was going to happen to him if he resisted you.
HT1938 2 years ago