1800s

• 1802: Staunton Town Council drafted laws and ordinances for the policing and governing of the town. 
• 1853: Council established the position of Chief of Police and elected Mangum W. Crawford as chief at an annual salary of $75.

1900s

• 1930s: Purchased the first police car, fingerprinting equipment and camera equipment.
• 1960s: Instituted the Reserve Corps, K-9 Corps and hired our first African American officer.
• 1970s: Used the first video replay TV in Virginia and hired the first full-time female police officer.
• 1980s: Received initial accreditation, began the CrimeStoppers program and received the Governor’s Crime Prevention Award.
• 1990s: Relocated from the former Booker T. Washington High School to City Hall and promoted a female officer to the rank of Sergeant for the first time. Launched the Critical Incident Response Team-Hostage Negotiators and implemented a community policing program.

2000s

• 2000-2010: Promoted a female officer to rank of Captain for the first time; hired the first bilingual officer; began the “Shop with a Cop” program to benefit underprivileged youth during the Christmas season; purchased technology to automate the fingerprinting process; and received the distinction of CALEA Flagship Agency for model law enforcement.

• 2010-2020: Held the first Tom Larner Memorial 5K, debuted new black and white marked police cars and equipped officers with body-worn cameras. The Staunton Police Foundation was created.  The Tactical Support Team was created.  First female K-9 officer.

• 2020- present: The Coronavirus pandemic forced changes to the way services were delivered to our citizens for an extended period of time; Received 12^th CALEA accreditation award; Purchased electric bikes for use by the Special Enforcement Team; Text-to-911 implemented in 911 Center; Established a wellness program to include an onsite gym and peer support program. Priority Dispatch software added in 911 center. Began using drones in support of patrol and tactical team operations.