Key West Police Department
Encyclopedia
The Key West Police Department (KWPD) is a full-service law enforcement agency servicing a population of 25,031 and 6 square miles within the municipality of Key West
, Florida
.
On April 23, 1982, the KWPD was the "official" police force of the tongue-in-cheek
Conch Republic
.
The current Chief of Police is Donald J. Lee, Jr.,
after a lengthy United States Department of Justice
investigation. Several high-ranking officers of KWPD, including Deputy Police Chief Raymond Cassamayor, were arrested on federal charges of running a protection racket
for illegal cocaine
smugglers. At trial
, a witness testified he routinely delivered bags of cocaine
to the Deputy Chief's office at City Hall.
Key West
Key West is an island in the Straits of Florida on the North American continent at the southernmost tip of the Florida Keys. Key West is home to the southernmost point in the Continental United States; the island is about from Cuba....
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
.
History
Law enforcement within the city of Key West originated at the incorporation of the city in 1828 with a town Marshal. The jail was the brig of a ship docked at the city. By the turn of the century, in 1900 the KWPD had a complement of 13 sworn officers.On April 23, 1982, the KWPD was the "official" police force of the tongue-in-cheek
Tongue-in-cheek
Tongue-in-cheek is a phrase used as a figure of speech to imply that a statement or other production is humorously intended and it should not be taken at face value. The facial expression typically indicates that one is joking or making a mental effort. In the past, it may also have indicated...
Conch Republic
Conch Republic
The Conch Republic is a micronation declared as a tongue-in-cheek secession of the city of Key West from the United States on April 23, 1982. It has been maintained as a tourism booster for the city since...
.
Organization
The KWPD is divided into two bureaus:- Operations Bureau
- Administration Bureau
The current Chief of Police is Donald J. Lee, Jr.,
Controversy
In June 1984, the KWPD was declared a criminal Enterprise under the Federal RICO statutesRacketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, commonly referred to as the RICO Act or simply RICO, is a United States federal law that provides for extended criminal penalties and a civil cause of action for acts performed as part of an ongoing criminal organization...
after a lengthy United States Department of Justice
United States Department of Justice
The United States Department of Justice , is the United States federal executive department responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice, equivalent to the justice or interior ministries of other countries.The Department is led by the Attorney General, who is nominated...
investigation. Several high-ranking officers of KWPD, including Deputy Police Chief Raymond Cassamayor, were arrested on federal charges of running a protection racket
Protection racket
A protection racket is an extortion scheme whereby a criminal group or individual coerces a victim to pay money, supposedly for protection services against violence or property damage. Racketeers coerce reticent potential victims into buying "protection" by demonstrating what will happen if they...
for illegal cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
smugglers. At trial
Trial
A trial is, in the most general sense, a test, usually a test to see whether something does or does not meet a given standard.It may refer to:*Trial , the presentation of information in a formal setting, usually a court...
, a witness testified he routinely delivered bags of cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
to the Deputy Chief's office at City Hall.
Fallen officers
Since the establishment of the Key West Police Department, three officers have died in the line of duty.| Officer | Date of Death | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Police Officer Clarence K. Till | |
Gunfire |
| Police Officer Norman Alvin Drew | |
Motorcycle accident |
| Detective John Michael Piskator | |
Heart attack |