COLUMBUS – The Columbus Division of Police is celebrating its bicentennial this year with a variety of activities and a “throwback” badge.
The first Columbus police agency was formed on Feb. 10, 1816. Samuel King served as the city’s first marshal until 1817.
The city’s chief police official was a marshal until 1873 when Samuel Thompson was appointed its first superintendent.
Some officers are being allowed to wear a commemorative badge, which was designed to resemble the badges worn in 1816, for the rest of the year, division officials said.