WHEN DID POLICE OFFICERS START USING WHISTLES?
Whistles began to be used because police officers needed a way to signal other officers on near-by posts. Carved wooden whistles were used as early as 1854, and by 1860, the “pea” whistle (a cast lead casing with a small dried pea inside to give a “warble” sound) was in use. Up until that time, signaling was done by hitting a curbstone, wall or ash can lid with the nightstick, or even firing off a pistol shot. Around 1889, the tubular whistle used by the British “Bobbies” came into use by the N.Y.P.D. because it was very loud and had a distinctive sound. The tubular whistle was retired from Department use in 1959 because improved electronic communications available to police officers made it unnecessary. However, the “traffic” whistle was retained in service and is the one and only whistle used by the N.Y.P.D. today.
