Name/Title
PhotocopyEntry/Object ID
1994.80.187.28Description
Photocopied newspaper article titled, "Manzanar's Police, Firemen." It contains a photo of two men with the caption, "Ably executing the job as evacuee and caucasian Police Chiefs Tom Takeyama and John W. Gilkey have been working endlessly for the rehabilitation of the police force since the disastrous set-back it fared during the riot of last year. Their motto is 'Difficult we do immediately, and the impossible takes a little longer.'"
Article: Police Department. Undertaking the task of maintaining law and order within the center, the Police Department was established in April, 1942, with an organized force of 115 men under WCCA. Revision of a large force, necessitated for the purpose of caring for incoming evacuees, was made under WRA supervision. A more compact force was formed and classes in criminology and traffic were started to teach the policemen the fundamentals of police work.
Eight-hour shifts are assigned to the patrolmen. In addition to routine duties, the department works in coordination with the military police checking the passes of incoming and outgoing vehicles and visitors. The issuance of identification cards for evacuees leaving on furlough and indefinite leaves is also in the hands of the police force.
A recent addition to the local police department is the mounted police force stationed in the newly-opened park located south of the center.
Under the supervision of Chief John Gilkey and Assistant Chief Loren Williams, the evacuee personnel includes: Chief Tom Takeyama, Assistant Chief Kiyoshi Higashi and Captain Yoshio Ishida. Sgt. Chosaku Kobayashi tops the Investigating Division. Acting as interpreter is Lieut. Eddie E. Higashi. Humane officers are Keisuke Hiraga and Sanpei Hiraga.Collection
Shiro and Mary Nomura Collection