The Key West Post

Key West Police The Evolution of the Key West Police Department: 1828 to Today Founded in 1828, the Key West Police Department began as a one-man marshal system in a town of just 421 residents. The first jail was a ship’s brig docked in the harbor, and early law enforcement focused more on maritime salvage disputes than criminal cases—only three felony convictions were recorded in the first 50 years.  By 1900, the department had grown to 13 sworn officers. Its first line-of-d

Key West Fire Department group portrait in front of Fire Station #1 located under the old City Hall building on 510 Greene Street. (State Archives of Florida/Public Domain)