History of The CIty of Flat Rock and the Police Department

      The City of Flat Rock was first settled by Euro-Americans in approximately 1811 and was known for "Grosse Roche" named after the outcropping of flat limestone rock from the area.  The Villages of Vreelandt and Smooth Rock were platted in 1824 and finally the Village of Flat Rock was recorded in 1838.  The City of Flat Rock was not incorporated until 1965.

     As determined by the records available, the first official Chief of Police was Harry Crooks, who served in that capacity from 1925-1931.  The original police station was located on Telegraph Rd., just south of Erie St.  The City of Flat Rock was considered "small town" and so was its police department, that at times had only 4-5 members, including the Chief.

     Events documented from the past are common place today or considered "not newsworthy" as seen in the picture below touting officers getting new duty jackets!!

                                    

"The new jackets are here!!!"

     Just as now, times changed and technology was on the rise and affecting law enforcement just as it does today.  The Flat Rock Police Department received one of the first Driver's License Cameras in the State of Michigan to document new drivers license.  According to newspaper articles, Sgt. Kornowska was working 7 days a week because of the new licensing program.....just like now, it does help when you are short staffed!!!  Things were "rough" even in those days!

                               

    The City of Flat Rock began grow and expand and won the attention with the public in 1973, when a new City Hall/Police Department/Fire Department Building was built at the corners of Gibraltar Rd. and Evergreen St., where it is still in use today.  The building was designed and built by the same architects (Charles Davidson and Carl Luckenbach) that designed the Pontic Silverdome!

During the height of the Police Departments recent history in the mid-1990's, there were 27 sworn officers and personnel attending to the safety of the citizens and running day to day operations.

1990's Patrol Unit

2020's Patrol Unit

Currently the Flat Rock Police Department has 5 Command Members and 12 Patrol Members and a total of 18 sworn personnel.