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 One
of the most singular individuals ever to wear an Oklahoma City Police
uniform served during the 1930's was the remarkable D.A. Bryce. Known to
his friends as "Jelly", Bryce was perhaps the most accomplished
marksman and trick-shooter ever to serve in the Department. Bryce began in
Oklahoma City as a patrolman, and later was promoted to Detective with the
Raiding Squad. Eventually, he left the Department to accept a position as
Special Agent with the FBI.
By 1935, Oklahoma City had grown into a major American metropolis.
Progress, in the form of heavy industry and agriculture, was everywhere to
be seen. With it, came the automobile. In 1930, there were 550,000
registered vehicles in Oklahoma, 10% of which were in Oklahoma City.
Downtown, parking and traffic congestion were causing innumerable problems
for police and commuters. As a solution to the parking problem, Magee
suggested the installation of a series of automated, self-policing meters.
On July 16, 1935, the world's first parking meter was installed in
Oklahoma City. The automated system made it much easier to identify
violators, and to defend police summonses in court. By Christmas of 1935,
there were 600 parking meters on the streets of Oklahoma City.
The Police Department continued to grow as the Thirties ended. By 1937,
228 men and women worked to enforce the law, including 53 detectives and
17 special liquor-raiders. On April 18, a new Police Headquarters was
opened to accommodate the swelling ranks. Located between First and Second
Streets facing Shartel Avenue, the five story facility was divided by two
steel doors, isolating incoming prisoners from the general public. An
assembly-recreation room was included, offering off-duty officers the
chance to eat and relax. Bathing facilities were readily available. The
jail was on the third and fifth floors, and featured a newly-developed
gear and wheel system for operating cell doors. In the fourth floor
kitchen, "Red" Robinson prepared meals for the prisoners.
As the Forties began, the dark spectra of War once again hung over
America. Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, many Oklahoma City
Policemen left to join the fight. Throughout the War, the Department
suffered from a severe shortage of manpower. To alleviate the problem,
entrance requirements were relaxed, and many positions previously held by
officers were reclassified as civilian. The police veterans that remained
on the force were compelled to shoulder an extra measure of
responsibility.
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