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Lab Patches
It was not until 1993 that the crime laboratory had its own uniform shoulder patch. The original patch was designed by Pat Cunningham. The crime scene investigators were in plain clothes until 1990 When Chief Stone placed the detectives in uniform.
The new patch is designed by Scott Hayes
New Patch design in 2004, reflects the Wichita Police Department Mission Statement, values and the Community Policing Philosophy
Three gold stars, represents, serving
The Wichita Police Department
Sedgwick County/ Other Law Enforcement Agencies
Our Community
12 small stars represent supporting,
Four Patrol Bureaus, North, South, East, West
(Detective Section)
Homicide
Gang
Sex Crimes
EMCU (Exploited Missing Children Unit)
Robbery
Larceny
Burglary
Auto theft
The two gold rings represent, Integrity
Magnifying glass with justice scales; represent, Finding The Truth And Justice
Past Patches
original patch
 
Both designed by Pat Cunningham in 1993
Lab Vehicles
2007 Chevy van
 
2000 Chevy van 1993 Chevy van
 
1988 Chevy van Early 1980s to mid 1980s unknown van
*Note In 1990 the Lab vans were marked with
police markings
1978 Plymouth Valaier Station wagon (yellow)
Early 1970's to mid 1970s Chevy van 4th vehicle rt from lt side
1962
1936 Chevy
1930's
THE BEGINNING
Police Chief Wilson created the position of a uniformed investigator in 1932. After seeing the mobility of the public address truck, which was designed to inform traffic violators of the violation they committed. In order to further increase the efficiency of the investigator Wilson created the police lab car, equipped with all of the equipment necessary to investigate both traffic accidents and crime scenes.
 The vehicle had plaster casting materials, a fingerprint kit, a fingerprint camera, a microphone, and recorder for interviews, photo lighting equipment and various other items. Seeing the need for more investigative techniques, and the limited space in the lab vehicle, Wilson began Wichita’s first police laboratory in 1934.
Chief Wilson (center) in the Police Lab 1n 1934 Wilson purchased a Keeler Polygraph and our department became known as the proving ground for the device. Thomas H. Jaycox was trained in its operation. More persons, over 1300 annually tested on Wichita’s polygraph than anywhere else in the world and included those who were suspected of committing a crime or because they were thought to be involved in criminal activity. Wichita can definitely be considered the place where the polygraph got its start in law enforcement, not by invention but by sheer volume of use.
In 1933 Investigator H.T. Daniels, ballistic technician was promoted to detective. Officer Harold Lake becomes investigator on second detail replacing Daniels.
1940's
THE BEGINNING OF THE LAB
 The Wichita Eagle if November 11, 1946, reported: “A criminal investigation squad-- modeled after those in “big” cities--will swing into action in Wichita today with four evidence-gathering specialists of the police department comprising the squad. Establishment of the squad was brought about by an increase of burglaries and thefts, and the men will stress evidence gathering in an effort to secure apprehension of criminals and court convections.”
1950's
BIG CHANGE
In 1954, “Big changes were afoot in the departmental photography. Wichita’s lawbreakers, who for years cringed, frowned, glared, stared and contorted their appearances before the Police Department’s portrait camera might have the distinction of doing it in color.
The ‘rogues’ gallery in color was the idea of Lt. Claud Nichols and most officers believed that plan would be adopted permanently.
Nichols, in charge of the police criminal laboratory, had experimented with color transparency “mug shots” for the past three or four weeks. His first results, using actual persons booked into jail, are being viewed by administrators. If they become part of a permanent file, officers can regard them as the first forward strides in police portrait photography since a man named Clyde E. Compton was photographed in black and white with a sign hanging around his neck with a numeral “1”.
That was January 12, 1918.”
 Departmental employee, Police Photographer Laura Sherwood, received the bronze Wreath of Meritorious Service in April 1959. By utilizing certain mug shots. Ms. Sherwood was able to construct a composite picture of an unknown suspect wanted for passing bad checks. This individual was later identified from the composite photograph, arrested, convicted and sentenced to a prison term. Ms Sherwood was the first woman to receive the award.
 
Harry Van Doren and Don J Fenney in the lab Lt. Leslie Wheeler services lab camera (1957)
Detective Vern Kush conducts a firearm examination
1960's
THE FIRST
On September 16, 1965, the Wichita Police Laboratory employed it’s first female chemist; Lindalea Morgan.
 
1970's
On April 12,1973 the GCA (Governor's Committee on Criminal Administration) unanimously approved a federal funding for a regional laboratory un Wichita. The regional lab's services ere to be offered without charge to 13 counties, which included barber, Butler, Cowley, Harper, Havery, Kingman, Marion, McPherson, Pratt, Reno, Rice Sedgwick and Sumner. The regional lab could also serve law enforcement agencies in any county nearer to Wichita than Topeka. The police lab continued to offer its service to the F.B.I., the Secret Service, the A.T.&F., U.S. Postal Inspectors and the K.B.I. The type of services offered by the Wichita Police lab were fingerprinting, firearm analysis, polygraph documentation, fracture analysis, tool mark analysis, hair analysis, blood work, paint identification, and chemical examination, along with many others.
Due to the number of requests received by then police laboratory for fingerprints examinations, the position of latent print examiner became full-time November 2, 1974. Detective Richard H. Cook, Investigator, was appointed to fill the new position. Detective George A. Love was selected to fill the new full time position of firearms examiner.
June 1975
 The Commander of the McConnell Air Force Base presented Captain Jordan D Jones with a plaque for the Wichita Police Department Forensic Laboratory in appreciation for cooperation and technical assistance rendered to the United States Air Force of Special Investigation at McConnell Air Force Base.
Other Award
 for the United States Department of Justice.
 On February 7, 1976, the full time position of Document Examiner for the laboratory Section of the Wichita Police Department was created. laboratory Investigator James L. A. Maloney was selected to fill the position.
 March 1977 Richard A. Cook became the first Certified latent Fingerprint Examiner for the Wichita Police Department. In an effort to weed out unqualified "experts" who testified on various subjects related to identification throughout the nation, the International Association for Identification had established committees dealing with firearms, documents,and other related subjects. Fingerprints examination was the first completed.
 The Wichita Police Department sent its first officer to Hazardous Device School(HDS) in 1977. Detective Jerry Malter was certified as the first bomb technician in Wichita. During this time the Bomb Unit was assigned to the Laboratory Section and all members were crime scene investigators. The Captain of the Lab was the Bomb Unit Commander. In 1986, Johnnie Green was accepted into the unit and sent to HDS. he was the first member of the bomb Unit to be assigned outside of the lab. During the department reorganization 1990's and de-commissioning the lab the Bomb Unit was reassigned to Special Operations.
1990's
In 1993 the Wichita Police Department Crime Laboratory was de-commissioned from a detective position to a civilian position due to the department re-organization.
2000's
In 2001 and 2002 the two Wichita Police Crime Lab Chemist positions was transferred to the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center. This was due to the Science Center is now the Regional Forensic Center for this area.
In 2001 the Wichita Police Crime Lab purchased the Bloodstain Pattern analysis computer program (Back Track), which reduces the amount of time to conduct analysis; at the scene. There are only two who are trained on the computer program and they are Crime Scene Supervisor Scott Hayes and Patric Cunningham.
 In 2003 Crime Scene Investigator Dustin Calvin was the first CSI to be certified as a Certified Crime Scene Technician with the International Association of Identification.
In 2005 Crime Scene Investigator Donna Elson was the first CSI to be certified as a Certified Crime Scene Analyst with the International Association of Identification.
Did you know?
THE EARPS IN WICHITA
The City Council set up a vigilante safety committee which recommended hiring one additional peace officer, who was Wyatt Earp. This then was the situation when Wyatt Earp , lawman later made legendary by the shoot-out at the O.K Corral in Tombstone, Arizona, began his policing career in Wichita. On April 21,1875, Wyatt Earp was appointed policeman on the Wichita force. The records from the day are not truly clear as to what transpired in May 1876, but it was at that time that Wyatt Earp left his position as a police officer in Wichita and joined the police force in Dodge City Kansas on May 24, 1876.
Wyatt Earp, Wichita Lawman, described by Bat Masterson as "absolutely destitute of physical fear". Photo courtesy of Famous Gun Fighters of the Western Frontier, by W.B. (Bat) Masterson.
A replica of Wyatt Earp's badge from 1870's Wichita
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