Department History

1985

As the Town grew, so did the Police Department. The year 1985 ushered in a new police chief and several new officers. The department was now led by Chief Dick Scherwitz and a staff of 8 police officers. This was also the year in which the department purchased its first new police cars, two 1985 Chevy Impalas and a 1985 Chevy K-5 Blazer. These new cars were marked with dark blue stripes that ran the length of the car with "PARKER POLICE" horizontally marked on the doors. Along with the new cars came the adoption of the dark blue uniform that is still worn today.

1988

In 1988, the police department moved from the Quonset Hut to a new facility that housed both the Police Department and Town Hall. This building is the blue building with the clock tower next to the current Town Hall on Mainstreet in downtown Parker.

1989

1989 brought another new police chief, Mike Chick, who came to Parker after many years serving with other area police departments. Chief Chick brought many new ideas and improvements to the department and implemented the Town's first computer-aided dispatch system in 1990. In 1993, the patrol cars were upgraded to Ford Crown Victoria's which sported a new red, white, and blue "ZZ Top" style striping package.

1994

In December 1994, the Police Department moved to the facility on Parker Square Drive. Many long-time residents of Parker remember the police station being the former Sun Savings. The Police, Building, and Planning departments all occupied what was then called the "Parker Municipal Annex." Leadership of the Police Department changed again in 1995 as Tom Cornelius took the reins. Cornelius was passionate about community policing concepts, implementing them throughout the organization. Community policing remains a top priority for the department's mission.

1996

Another striping change to the squad cars occurred in 1996, consisting of gold, burgundy, and purple stripes and a contemporary style "Parker Police" lettering on the doors.

2000

The millennium brought with it a major technology shift with the implementation of a suite of highly advanced computer systems to meet the needs of a rapidly growing community. These systems consisted of a new computer-aided dispatch system, a new records management system, and, for the first time, mobile data computers. Officers now had the ability to check for arrest warrants and stolen cars right from the patrol car. The officers were now able to complete police reports electronically from their mobile computer.

2007

A new Police Chief was sworn in during 2007, but this time the Police Department's new "top cop" would be one of its own. David King took over as the 5th chief of the department. Chief King worked his way up through the ranks over a 21-year period before becoming Chief.