In November of 1884 a town sergeant was appointed by the city of New Martinsville to patrol the city proper.  In 1901 the legislature of West Virginia, by special act granted a new charter and amended, re-enacted and reduced into one, all its former acts incorporating the Town of New Martinsville.  Charter amended in 1921.  Elections are held biennially on the second Tuesday in January.

    The history of law enforcement is very vague from 1884 to 1919.  In 1919 the population of New Martinsville was 2,600 and had one Police Officer, Chief of Police J.W. Wyatt and patrol was done mostly on foot.  From 1921 to 1924, the city still appointed the Chief of Police.  Chief of Police John Arnett served during this period.  Patrol work was still done on foot.  During this period, Chief Arnett had one assistant policeman, N.S. Postlethwait.  The first election for Chief of Police was held in 1924, when John Arnett was elected for a period of one year with a total of 409 votes and was duly sworn in by Mayor W.F. Clark. 

    Council at this time moved that Thomas Lemons be sworn in as special police with compensation of $10 per month.  Chief of Police salary was fixed at $90 per month.  Three other special police were appointed by Council, to be used only when necessary.  Salaries were based on hours actually worked.  On February 22, 1924, Council ordered that the salary of Chief of Police be raised to $100 per month and that the Chief also be paid for three extra days - from the date of election to date of qualification. 

    There was basically no change in the department from 1924 to 1931. John Arnett remained as Chief of Police, and most patrol work continued on foot with the exception of emergencies.  The city allocated the Chief 25 gallons of gas to be used in his own personal car for on and off duty use. 

    In 1931, J.A. Zimmerman was elected Chief of Police for the City of New Martinsville, remaining as Chief for a period of one year.  The next two years, the Chief of Police position was held by Harry Templeton.  In 1933, Chief Templeton had two assistant policemen.  The Police Department went to a 24 hour police patrol each day in 1933.  Patrol work was still conducted mainly on foot around business places.  In extreme emergencies the city's street department truck was utilized as a patrol vehicle. 

    In 1935 Chief of Police at the time, Earl A. Burton, instigated a shift schedule.  The Chief worked from 12:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.  The assistant police would have 6:00 P.M. to 6:00 A.M. and 12:00 P.M. to 12:00 A.M. shifts.  Their main function was patrolling the business places and for security purposes.  Chief Burton held office until 1936.

    From 1936 through 1940, the Chief of Police position changed hands twice.  Changed were Ray Templeton and Les Johnston.  In 1940, Chief Johnston was directed by Council to purchase a car to be used for police patrol work.  The only communication available to the men in the cruiser was by telephone.  No radio system was purchased for the cruiser.  Chief Johnston served from 1939 to 1942. 

    The next significant change came in 1948 when Council changed the term of office for the Chief of Police from one year to two years.  Chief of Police was Leo Morris.  Chief Morris was assisted by three policemen.  During this period, the first radio communications system was purchased by Council.  The radio was installed in a pickup truck and was used by the Police Department at night, and the Street Department by day.

    In 1952, Lee Wade was elected as Chief of Police of New Martinsville.  Under his direction, the city hired five policemen and purchased a 1955 Chevrolet for patrol duty.  Chief Wade remained in office until 1964.  During his supervision, the Police Department came under Civil Service in 1960.  Civil Service established the ranks of Captain, two Sergeants, and three patrolmen. 

    The city purchased two 1960 Ramblers equipped with two-way police band radios.  On March 1, 1963, the city brought their total of full-time policemen up to 10, consisting of a Chief, one Captain, two Sergeants, and six patrolmen.  At the end of 1963, Chief Wade resigned from office.  Patrick Barr, an ex-railroad policeman, was appointed to fill his unexpired term.  Under his competent direction, salaries increased, working conditions became increasingly better, equipment was upgraded and well cared for.  Chief Barr re-activated foot patrol on Main St.  Chief Barr passed away while serving his third term of office. 

    Captain Glenn Fitzgerald was appointed by Council to fill the vacancy created by Chief Barr's demise.  Chief Fitzgerald set about further upgrading the department by sending men to schools available for policemen and also set up an interdepartmental school.  Chief Fitzgerald served out his appointed term in office.  He then ran for office and was elected by overwhelming odds.  Chief Fitzgerald very, very unfortunately never served a day in his elected position, having contracted leukemia; he died at the age of 36.  He was mourned by all in the department.

    On May 15, 1972, Carl Kocher was appointed to Chief of Police of New Martinsville to fill Chief Fitzgerald's unexpired term.  Under his direction, new equipment, radios, patrol cars, etc. were purchased for the Police Department.  The building housing the Police Department was completely remodeled with the city furnishing the funds and material.  The men and Chief furnished the labor.  The former police department was at 400 Ohio St.  Also under his direction, another interdepartmental schooling was set up for local and adjoining city police departments.  The school consisted of a 90 hour course of general law enforcement, coordinated by Captain Boley of the State Police.  Captain C.W. Ray taught several of the classes. 

    Due to the office of Chief of Police being political, Chief Kocher dropped back to his previous rank of Sergeant after serving out Chief Fitzgerald's term.  Denver Meeks was elected Chief of Police in 1973.  In 1975, Ocal Miller was elected Chief of Police.  Chief Miller was the youngest Chief in the State of West Virginia at the age of 23.  Chief Miller further updated the department with new equipment, better salaries, etc.  Though being younger than his men, he gained the greatest respect for being an honest and fair Chief of Police.  Chief Miller obtained such new equipment as a moving radar for the cruisers and a completely new radio system. 

    In 1977, Anthony Castranova became Chief of Police.  Chief Castranova replaced the radio system with still better equipment.  The Department had three cruisers with a 24 hour on duty, two man patrol.  The first city jail was started under Chief Castranova's direction.  Weapons are now furnished by the city.  Until this time, each individual policeman purchased his own weapon.  At that time, the city sent 6 men to the State Police Academy.  This included the two basic officers currently attending the 33rd basic class. 

    Currently the Police Department is under the direction of Chief Timothy F. Cecil who is serving his second term.  The department has 6 cruisers and is housed in the city building located on Main St.