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John E. Wearty was promoted from Sergeant to Chief on May 20, 1955. During his administration, a vast number of changes took place. One of the first changes to be made was the replacement of the 1938 LaSalle ambulance/prisoner wagon. The new vehicle was equipped with a radio that enabled two-way communication. Prior to this, all communication had to be relayed through the station dispatcher.
At the start of the winter months, Chief Whearty banned all street sledding citing the increased traffic and danger to children. By 1956, a patrolman's pay was $78.00 per week. Patrolmen also received 10 sick days per year to accumulative to 45 days. Town meeting members approved paying officers for holidays at time-and--one-half if they were required to work. But, if the holiday fell on their day off, they were not paid for it. In 1959, police discovered a "bootleg liquor still...the largest uncovered in New England since prohibition." (Boston Globe, 2/20/59). The operation could produce 450 gallons of 190 proof alcohol a day. The still was located in a modern brick barn near the end of Truman Highway in Milton. Federal agents believed the still was run by the syndicate. The men of the department made 174 arrests in 1960. They responded to 369 ambulance calls, 213 motor vehicle accidents with 142 injuries and three deaths. They investigated 3915 incidents and served 872 writs. Chief Whearty in his report to the Selectmen credited the men's alertness and vigilance for the decline in serious crime. Chief Whearty had high praise again in 1966 for the combination of alert citizens and diligent police work in the arrest of 14 persons for burglary. The Chief spent $935 for the department's first radar-speed detector. The last of two ambulance/prisoner wagons was purchased for $5665. It had gold leaf lettering and was nicknamed "the blue goose."
By 1972 the department had purchased enough portable radios over the years to issue one to each man on patrol thus increasing the communication capabilities and safety of the officer. In 1974, new Smith & Wesson .38 revolvers with heavy barrels were issued to all officers at no cost to the department when the department traded in its old weapons. Chief Wharty announced his intention to retire as of July 1, 1977. Chief John E. Whearty completed his career of dedication to the Town of Milton in 1977. This chapter was summarized from the book Pride In Blue A History of the Milton Police Department. |
On of the changes made was in September, 1955 when the department changed its phone number to BL-8-1212. The 1212 was now becoming the common phone number for police departments.
Officer Walter M. "Skip" Conway and his K-9 dog "Brutis" attended a twelve week course at Boston Police K-9 Academy. They began town wide patrol in September, 1971. |
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