In 1931 the Town appointed Walter B. Wood to be Chief. At this time the Department began it’s transformation into the current workforce that we currently have. Chief Wood wrote the original Rules and Regulations for the department, attended several training classes conducted by the State Police and FBI. One officer, William Wilkinson, hired by Wood, would eventually rise to the position of Chief. In 1949 Chief Wood became ill and would be replaced by Wilkinson, as Acting Chief. Wilkinson would eventually be named Chief of Police. At this time the Department consisted of seven members and a police dog named Jo. The dog was considered part of the Department but was purely a pet. During the 1940’s the department was authorized to purchase its first police car. After 38 years of service, Chief Wilkinson retired in 1976. In a departure from the past tradition of promotion from within, Chief Wilkinson was replaced by Walter Cosier, who had been an officer in Washington D.C. Cosier was asked to resign in 1980 which led to the naming of R. Edward Blessing as Chief of Police. Blessing had begun his career with the Department in 1964, rising steadily in rank. Blessing would eventually become the first of many officers to attend the FBI National Academy. Under Blessings tutelage, the Department grew to have 25 sworn officers and 9 support personnel. A Police Administrative Building was also built and dedicated in 1986 under the watchful eyes of Blessing. Previously, the Department had shared space with the fire department and the town offices. Chief Blessing retired in 1995. The reigns of the organization were turned over to Captain Walter E. Chase, who was appointed as Chief of Police. Chase, bucking tradition of being called a Chief, was referred to as Colonel. Colonel Chase had been a Detective for most of his career with the Department and had also attended the FBI National Academy. Chase, who began his career with the Department in 1959, retired in 1998. For the second time in the history of the Department an appointment for the position of Chief of Police was not made from within. The Town Council at the time conducted a nationwide search for the next Chief of Police, and appointed a retired Captain, George M. Harvey, from the Baltimore County Police Department. Chief Harvey implemented many new programs, ideas and initiatives, to bring the Department to the forefront of law enforcement. Under Harvey’s command, the Department has grown to a compliment of 48 sworn officers and 16 support personnel. In June 2004 Chief Harvey retired from the Chief's position. Mayor Robert Willey appointed the two Captains, Spencer and Blue, as acting Chiefs, until an appropriate replacement could be found.Within three weeks, Mayor Willey appointed Captain Melbourne J. "Ben" Blue to the position of Chief of Police. Chief Blue has been a member of the Department since 1980. Chief Blue has a Bachelors Degree from Indiana University, and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

Lt. Henry is currently researching the history of the Department. He is looking to speak with former members of the Department or their relatives, along with citizens who can relate stories of the men and women who served on the Department.. If you have an interesting story, recall events from a particular period, or have photographs which you could share, please contact Lt. Henry.

The Town of Easton was founded in 1710 and quickly became the Colonial Capital of the Eastern Shore. Yet it took nearly 200 years to introduce legislation to have a police force. On Friday June 1, 1906 Councilman McDaniel from the 1st ward offered an ordinance, (#4), regulating the appointment by the Mayor of regular and special police and defining their duties. The president offered an amendment to Section #3 and after adopting the amendment the ordinance was passed. During a council meeting held on Wednesday June 6, 1906 a sealed communications from the mayor was received and read nominating for Chief of Police Marion L. Wroten. A vote was taken for the nomination for the Chief of Police resulting in two votes for, and three votes against. On Tuesday June 12, 1906 2 sealed communications were received from the mayor. Letter #1 contained the names of W. A. Startt and R. A. Frampton, the mayor’s nominees for Deputy Policemen. A vote was taken resulting in three votes for, two votes against. Letter #2 contained the name of Marion L. Wroten for Chief of Police with a statement from the Mayor that he again sent the name of Mr. Wroten by request of three of the council members, (one who previously voted for the rejection of the appointment). A vote was taken resulting in the confirmation of Mr. Wroten for Chief of Police with three votes for the appointment, two votes against. The first badges worn by officers of the newly found Police Department were paid for on October 5, 1906 at a cost of $9.79. The winter uniforms worn by officers in the beginning were dark blue suits with a vest, a cadet style cap with medallion and a badge worn on the left breast. The picture to left shows Chief Charles A. Stoops in the summer uniform a grayish color coat topped by English “Bobby” style hat. During the period between 1913 and 1931 little is known of the department as records were not kept about the department. Several Chiefs had been appointed during this time: Chief James Gannon, Chief Soulsby and Chief Stichberry, in no particular order. Chief Stoops was also relieved of duties by one Mayor and rehired by another.