The Vollmer Society will consist of a group of forensic and investigative experts dedicated to helping solve complex missing person cases.

Additional information will be forthcoming soon.

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In 1905, August Vollmer, a self-educated criminologist, noticed that the then 130-year-old city had no police force and decided to start one. His name is still legend in law enforcement circles for the methods that he pioneered. His stiff rules of conduct are now standardized as a code of ethics for police across the country. His department was the first to use blood, fiber and soil analysis in detection (1907); the first to use the lie detector (a Berkeley cop collaborated in inventing the polygraph in 1921); it was an early developer of a fingerprint classification system (1924) and the first to use radio-equipped squad cars (1928).

Some of the early innovations by Chief Vollmer and this department were:

In 1906, the department installed a basic records system (One of the first in the United States)

In 1906, installed the first Modus Operandi (MO) System

In 1907, first use of scientific investigation (Kelinschmidt case - analysis of blood, fibers and soil).

In 1907, the department's police school was established. It included instruction from professors on such subjects as the law and evidence procedures. This was the first school of its kind in the world and had a far reaching effect on law enforcement.

In 1911, organized the first Police Motorcycle Patrol

In 1913, changed to automobiles for patrolling.

In 1916, Chief Vollmer established the first School of Criminology at University of California, at Berkeley. Chief Vollmer became a strong advocate of college educated police officers.

In 1918, began using intelligence tests in recruiting police officers.

In 1920, the first lie detector instrument was developed at University of California and used by our department.

In 1921, began using a psychiatric screening in recruitment.

In 1923, the first Junior Traffic Police Program was established.

In 1924, established one of the first single fingerprint systems.

In 1925, established our first Crime Prevention Division and hired the first Police Woman.

Reference (Berkeley Police Department)

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