WPPA HISTORY
The Waterloo Police Department (WPD) came into existence when City Ordinance Number 24 was signed November 26, 1869, which was shortly after Waterloo was incorporated in 1868. The records indicate that the first Waterloo Police Department consisted of three officers: one for the West side of town, one on the east side and the Marshall served at the headquarters. During this time, the police officer’s pay was $50.00 per month. In 1894, the WPD expanded from three to seven officers and in the 1930’s, the police department had grown to 40 officers. The city now budgets for a police force of 123 officers.
The Waterloo Police Protective Association is a voluntary Association of the police officers of the City of Waterloo, Iowa that was formed in 1942. The activities of the Association are supported primarily by member dues and income from special events. Other sources of revenue are income from investments and public contributions. The revenue is used to provide program services including payment of death and retirement benefits to member, funding for negotiation and collective bargaining, as well as other benefits for the betterment of conditions of the members and improvements of their services.
The Association continues to preserve and maintain our integrity as individuals and employees, to promote harmonious and co-operative relationships between the City and its employees, the orderly operations of the government in providing for the health, safety and welfare of the community, to improve our conditions, services and efficiency in public service, to protect and serve our interests, welfare, and to engage in collective bargaining or other mutual aid and protections.
The official logos of the Waterloo Police Protective Association are the Griffin and the WPD patch adopted in 1964, which contains the words “Waterloo Police Vigilance” in black lettering and a red Griffin, on a gold background.
In 1964, Former Police Chief Robert Wright conducted research in an effort to devise a patch to replace the old triangular patch that displayed only the lettering “Waterloo Police Department”. Chief Wright wanted to find a patch that would be unique and symbolic of police work.
During his search, Chief Wright came across the Griffin, an animal with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion. The Griffin is a Greek Mythological animal symbolizing vigilance, which means to stand watch over priceless possessions.
Chief Wright enlisted the aid of Waterloo Daily Courier Artist Jack Bender in designing the patch to include the Griffin. The design was a bright gold background to set off a green-eyed red Griffin with black lettering and border.
