Resolution 100297

..Title Recognizing, Honoring, And Celebrating The Officers Of The Philadelphia Police Department And Declaring Thursday, May 27, 2010, "Philadelphia Police Officers Appreciation Day." ..Body WHEREAS, The students of the Mathematics, Civics, and Sciences Charter School have begun a tradition of recognizing, honoring, and celebrating the officers of the Philadelphia Police Department on the last Thursday of May for their bravery in serving and protecting the People of Philadelphia; and WHEREAS, The City's first patrol began in 1663 by Hans Block in the Swedish Settlement; and in 1751, the General Assembly established the first paid police patrol composed of wardens and constables; and WHEREAS, Philadelphia's modern police history began in 1850, and the Department grew as the City expanded in 1854 through city-county consolidation to over 129 square miles, and included the establishment of the Harbor Patrol in 1860 with the development of port facilities to handle growing national and international commerce; and WHEREAS, The first black police officer was appointed in 1881, while the first women were hired in 1886 as matrons; and WHEREAS, In 1889, a Mounted Police Unit was established with the purchase of 93 horses, in 1906, the Department purchased its first motorcycles, and in 1936, radios began to be used in police operations; and WHEREAS, Today criminal investigation is very sophisticated, with the Philadelphia Police providing innovative leadership in the science of fighting crime in an urban environment; and WHEREAS, The students of the Mathematics, Civics, and Sciences Charter School host an annual luncheon including fried chicken and sweet potatoes, poetry readings, songs, and the presentation of citations to honor our police officers who put their lives at risk to protect the lives and property of our residents, business people, employees, and visitors. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it recognizes, honors, and celebrates the officers of the Philadelphia Police Department and declares Thursday, May 27, 2010, "Philadelphia Police Officers Appreciation Day." FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Philadelphia Police, further evidencing the sincere admiration and gratitude of this legislative body. ..End