In addition to Constables the selectmen appointed "Tithingmen" to have oversight of their neighbors and see that they keep good order in their houses. The title meant tenth men, from each having a company of ten families to look after. In 1691 the selectmen chose Edward Converse as Tithingmen for "ye South End" (now Winchester).

In 1913, the officers, who had been accustomed to working the year round without a day off, except for an annual two weeks vacation, were granted one day off in every 30. Also in 1913 steps were taken to provide a new station house. It was erected on Mt. Vernon Street (where it stands today) and was designed by Edward R. Wait. At the time of occupancy on June 10, 1915, the police station/fire station was visited by admiring throngs of police and fire officials from all over New England.

By 1874 the number of police officers had risen to seven. Those who served for a complete year were paid $100. The officers themselves elected one of their number, F.H. Johnson as the first Police Chief. In 1878 the selectmen began the appointment of a Chief of Police, and designated Zanoni A. Richardson as the first "official" Chief, and C.H. Dupee as his successor.

In 1882 we find a night duty policeman mentioned for the first time. In a few years there were two night officers, while the Chief alone was on day duty. The Chief was now paid $500 per year. At About this time uniforms appeared and were worn by regular officers. In addition to a full time police officer, the practice of appointing "special officers" came into practice. These officers served without pay but were called in for emergency duty such as quelling disturbances. They were nicknamed the "Fourth of July Cops" due to the customary duty of being hired on Independence Day.

In 1850 the Town of Winchester separated from Woburn. At the town meeting in March of that year we find two Constables being elected. These Constables were also commissioned as Police Officers by the Selectmen and were the only police force of the town. They had no police station and no regular hours of duty. They were paid $10 per year.

Through the 1950’s and 1960’s the Winchester Police Department saw the creation of a detective division, juvenile officer, and extensive training and education for the patrol officer. In the 1970’s and 1980’s, specialized training became utilized. The police union came into existence as well as a reorganization of the department to what we see today.

On May 1, 1989 Joseph N. Perritano became Chief of Police. A graduate of Northeastern University was a 25 year veteran of the department when appointed as Chief. During the Chief's first year in office, four positions were cut along with 50 thousand dollars in overtime. The following year, two more positions were cut. These cuts resulted in the laying off of two regular officers. This was the first time in history of the department that officers had to be laid off. Through attrition, those officers were back within a year.

In September of 1992, the Department became computerized thanks to the assistance of Lieutenant Albertelli, Selectman Peter Van Aken, Chief Philip Mahoney of Woburn and the cooperation of the entire Winchester Police Department. No clerical staff was added because the officers themselves immediately began inputting their own information. In 1998 we began installing laptops in the patrol vehicles enabling officers to do reports in the field and obtain other police information without going through dispatch. Also in the 1990's we see implementation of Community Policing, a mountain bike patrol unit, and a special operations/tactical unit.

Chief Perritano
1989 - 2006

The Winchester Police Department strives to continue to provide efficiency, service, and professionalism to all. We are well into our third century of law enforcement and look forward with enthusiasm to the new millennium