Detroit Police 1930-1950's

**lisac103** · January-23-12, 05:44 AM

Looking for any info on Alfred A Siska, former Detroit Detective and later Police Superintendent, retired in 1945. Hoping someone has old stories or info on him. I also have pictures of him and am trying to identify the people in the photos, if there is a Detroit History- Police History buff out here?

**Ray1936** · January-23-12, 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by lisac103

Looking for any info on Alfred A Siska, former Detroit Detective and later Police Superintendent, retired in 1945. Hoping someone has old stories or info on him. I also have pictures of him and am trying to identify the people in the photos, if there is a Detroit History- Police History buff out here?

I came on the job ten years after that, but might be able to help. If you want to email me scans of the photos reach me at rdown3657@cox.net

Siska was replaced by Edwin Morgan, who had one of the longest tenures as Superintendent at ten years. He was a classic Irish cop, complete with the brogue.

**Danny** · January-23-12, 01:19 PM

Detroit Police in the 1930s

1 Some cops accept bribes from mobsters from the ll Costa Nostra to The Purple Gang.

2. Hunting black folks who crossed into white Detroit neighborhoods.

3. Give tickets or arrest anyone who step out line in the streets.

Detroit Police in the 1940s

1. Still accepting bribes from Mafias and gangsters.

2 Still hunting black folks who crossed into white Detroit neighborhoods.

3. Stoping rioters by escorting white folks back to their homes and arrest black people.

Detroit Police 1950s

1. Keeping Italians in the "Little Italy" on Gratiot Ave. in line by accepting bribes.

2. Keeping blacks in line and stopping corner loitering in their ghettoes.

3.Still hunting black folks who crossed into White Detroit neighborhoods.

That's what they did.

**Ray1936** · January-23-12, 04:53 PM

As I told you before, Danny, fortunately, I invested my bribe money in Microsoft in the '80s.

**dmoon** · January-23-12, 09:58 PM

My great-great grandfather was a Detroit Police captain who served 1868 - 1907. While researching his church records [[Our Lady of Help) at the Detroit Public Library, I was surprised to find that the library has old DPD roster books. I was able to see his signed oath of office, and a handwritten log of all of the stations where he served and his promotions. You can ask the librarian at the Burton Collection at the main branch about them. I am not sure what the year range is that they have in their possession, but a cop I talked to at Belle Isle who is known as a historian was surprised to learn they were there.

**ASR89** · January-24-12, 11:15 AM

Welcome to the forum, dmoon!

**river rat** · January-24-12, 02:57 PM

Danny chronicals the responsibiities of the DPD of the 1930-1950 period. The murder rate is very close to 1 per 2000 residents now; I wonder what is ws then?

**hastings paradise** · October-16-13, 11:02 AM

I just written a part in my book where a Detroit cop took a bribe from a mobster. Wow good info.

**Cincinnati_Kid** · October-17-13, 09:08 AM

Originally Posted by Ray1936

As I told you before, Danny, fortunately, I invested my bribe money in Microsoft in the '80s.

You must be a rich man then Ray.

**Smirnoff** · October-17-13, 10:39 PM

Originally Posted by Danny

Detroit Police in the 1930s

1 Some cops accept bribes from mobsters from the ll Costa Nostra to The Purple Gang.

2. Hunting black folks who crossed into white Detroit neighborhoods.

3. Give tickets or arrest anyone who step out line in the streets.

Detroit Police in the 1940s

1. Still accepting bribes from Mafias and gangsters.

2 Still hunting black folks who crossed into white Detroit neighborhoods.

3. Stoping rioters by escorting white folks back to their homes and arrest black people.

Detroit Police 1950s

1. Keeping Italians in the "Little Italy" on Gratiot Ave. in line by accepting bribes.

2. Keeping blacks in line and stopping corner loitering in their ghettoes.

3.Still hunting black folks who crossed into White Detroit neighborhoods.

That's what they did.

Sir, you forgot to mention the years of bowling with tires while driving high-speed on Gratiot Ave.

**jcole** · October-18-13, 08:13 AM

Originally Posted by Ray1936

As I told you before, Danny, fortunately, I invested my bribe money in Microsoft in the '80s.

Microsoft came along too late for my dad to invest his millions in bribe money, Ray, or I'd be sitting pretty today.

**lisac103** · March-25-14, 05:51 PM

Originally Posted by Danny

Detroit Police in the 1930s

1 Some cops accept bribes from mobsters from the ll Costa Nostra to The Purple Gang.

2. Hunting black folks who crossed into white Detroit neighborhoods.

3. Give tickets or arrest anyone who step out line in the streets.

Detroit Police in the 1940s

1. Still accepting bribes from Mafias and gangsters.

2 Still hunting black folks who crossed into white Detroit neighborhoods.

3. Stoping rioters by escorting white folks back to their homes and arrest black people.

Detroit Police 1950s

1. Keeping Italians in the "Little Italy" on Gratiot Ave. in line by accepting bribes.

2. Keeping blacks in line and stopping corner loitering in their ghettoes.

3.Still hunting black folks who crossed into White Detroit neighborhoods.

That's what they did.

SO far every piece of information, both from records and family and friends accounting, this officer was not like that. I like to think in this case, and others, past and present, there are good officers out there.

**lisac103** · March-25-14, 05:52 PM

Originally Posted by dmoon

My great-great grandfather was a Detroit Police captain who served 1868 - 1907. While researching his church records [[Our Lady of Help) at the Detroit Public Library, I was surprised to find that the library has old DPD roster books. I was able to see his signed oath of office, and a handwritten log of all of the stations where he served and his promotions. You can ask the librarian at the Burton Collection at the main branch about them. I am not sure what the year range is that they have in their possession, but a cop I talked to at Belle Isle who is known as a historian was surprised to learn they were there.

thank you, will try!

**Gondick** · March-19-15, 01:36 PM

I found my grandfather in the 1940 census as a street watchman in Detroit. The story my grandma gave was that he was a Detroit cop that got shot in his leg, and later ended up with an amputation. I want to find out any info possible about this, his life, who shot him, and what kind of a cop he was. He lived in the Detroit/Hamtramck area from about 1900, married a Minnie Schaffer in 1918,
and then in 1945 was up north where he lived the rest of his days.
debkgng@gmail, if anyone has any news or pics of a motorcycle cop/guard that got shot, or if he was crooked and making booze with his numbers racket. I do have 3 chauffeur badges with the state of MI, but can't determine if they were his or not.