The City of Newark will commemorate the 150th anniversary of its police department this weekend.
The festivities will include games, station tours and demonstrations by specialized police units, all to celebrate a department that started small.
Back in 1867, when Newark had a population in the hundreds, officials appointed their first bailiff, Mr. Jesse Russell.
"He was appointed during the town commissioner’s meeting where it was noted that numerous complaints were made by citizens," Newark Police Lieutenant Fred Nelson said. "At that time Newark had a population of only 800 people and it was the size of less than a half square mile."
Newark now has a population of more than 33,000 and spreads out over nine square miles.
The celebration is June 17 from 1-4 p.m. at the Municipal Complex in Newark.