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Explore stories in Northwest history through highlights from MOHAI’s collections. Search by keyword below or browse the entire online collection by entering the asterisk symbol (*). Filter your search by type of materials.

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178 results for: Police and Law Enforcement

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Image of Kneeling demonstrators facing police line at WTO protest, Seattle, December 1, 1999
Photograph

Kneeling demonstrators facing police line at WTO protest, Seattle, December 1, 1999

The Third Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) was held in Seattle from November 30 to December 3, 1999. Trade ministers and other officials from the WTO's 135 member nations met in an unsuccessful attempt to plan negotiations to further deregulate free trade. Tens of thousands of activists for many causes gathered to protest what they saw as…
ID Number:2000.107.19991201.20.08
Date:1999
Image of Motorcycle police officer at WTO march, Seattle, December 3, 1999
Photograph

Motorcycle police officer at WTO march, Seattle, December 3, 1999

The Third Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) was held in Seattle from November 30 to December 3, 1999. Trade ministers and other officials from the WTO's 135 member nations met in an unsuccessful attempt to plan negotiations to further deregulate free trade. Tens of thousands of activists for many causes gathered to protest what they saw as…
ID Number:2000.107.19991203.12.18
Date:1999
Image of Bomb squad with dog at King County Courthouse, Seattle, September 11, 2001
Photograph

Bomb squad with dog at King County Courthouse, Seattle, September 11, 2001

In the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, people across the country and around the world reacted with shock and grief, while authorities in the U.S. acted swiftly to secure public buildings and landmarks seen as potential targets, in case another incident was yet to come.In Seattle, authorities evacuated downtown skyscrapers and closed federal buildings. Traffic…
ID Number:2000.107.20010911.17.01
Date:2001
Image of Flier for Union of Sexual Minorities picket line, October 14, 1975
Ephemera

Flier for Union of Sexual Minorities picket line, October 14, 1975

The flier pictured here gives detailed information to participants about a planned picket line outside Seattle's Public Safety Building to protest the "refusal of the police to begin to adequately protect the lives of gay people from assault on the streets." The event was sponsored by the Union of Sexual Minorities, an organization dedicated to raising awareness around issues related…
ID Number:2002.23.3.53.1
Date:1975
Image of March Against Weed & Seed flier, 1992
Ephemera

March Against Weed & Seed flier, 1992

Weed and Seed was a 1992 Bush administration initiative to provide federal grants to city governments to help “weed” drug-dealing and crime from troubled neighborhoods, and “seed” those areas with social programs. Mayor Norm Rice procured a $1.1 million grant for a Weed and Seed program for Seattle’s Central Area, but approval was delayed for several months over widespread opposition…
ID Number:2002.23.5.45.2
Date:1992
Image of Candlelight March - No Police Station poster, September 1981
Ephemera

Candlelight March - No Police Station poster, September 1981

In 1981, Mayor Charles Royer proposed a new police precinct station for Seattle's Central Area, and the recommendation was approved by the City Council. The plan for the site, located at East Yesler Way and 23rd Avenue South, drew controversy and criticism from local residents, who protested the demolition of a city-owned four-plex at the site, and advocated instead for…
ID Number:2006.42.7
Date:1981
Image of Officers escorting man to police van, Seattle, circa 1940
Photograph

Officers escorting man to police van, Seattle, circa 1940

Although Seattle photographer Al Smith is best known for his photos of the Central Area music scene and everyday life in the Black community, he also photographed various scenes he happened upon while out with his camera. In this instance, he captured a series of photos of two police officers restraining a man and escorting him into a police van.…
ID Number:2014.49.013.032.0276
Date:Circa 1940
Image of Police Force of Seattle, Washington Territory, circa 1888
Photograph

Police Force of Seattle, Washington Territory, circa 1888

In 1869 the Seattle City Charter created a Marshall position, and by 1875 Ordinance 66 established day and night police. An amendment to the city charter in 1883 changed the Marshall to the Chief of Police. This D. R. Judkins photograph, taken during J. C. Mitchell's term as chief in 1888-1889, shows 17 men in police uniforms in two rows.…
ID Number:2015.17.1
Date:Circa 1888
Image of Seattle Police Department Second Patrol, November 11, 1919
Photograph

Seattle Police Department Second Patrol, November 11, 1919

Police departments in metropolitan areas often utilize officers to patrol assigned beats throughout the community. At the time the photograph pictured here was taken, the Seattle Police Department had two shifts of patrols, the First Patrol and the Second Patrol. None of the officers of the Second Patrol are identified in this image, however the man wearing the fedora and…
ID Number:2015.62.3
Date:1919
Image of American House business card, circa 1877
Ephemera

American House business card, circa 1877

John Harte McGraw (1850-1910) moved to Seattle from Maine in 1876 and got a job as a clerk in the Occidental Hotel. According to his obituary, he became an owner of American House boarding house in 1877, though the hotel was destroyed in a fire in 1878. That year he joined Seattle's tiny police force and began a successful career…
ID Number:2018.3.3.57
Date:Circa 1877
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