Daniel J. McLauchlan
(1854 – 1946)
Chief - July 1, 1899 – January 22, 1903
(1854 – 1946)
Chief - July 1, 1899 – January 22, 1903
Daniel M. McLauchlan was born in Scotland in 1854, coming to America at the age of one. His family settled in the east coast where he became a mechanical engineer. He came to the west coast in 1879 and on to Oregon in 1880 at the age of 26. By 1883 he was living in Albina and in a career with the Oregon Railway and Navigation Company for nine years as a Master Mechanic and then five years as the Superintendent of the Union Power Company. Prior to becoming the Chief, he was the Mayor of Albina from around 1889 to 1891, and he served for eight months as a Police Commissioner just prior to becoming the Chief.
With Mayor Pennoyer gone and new Mayor Mason in charge, McLaughlin was selected as the new Chief. At the same time the commission removed: one captain, four detectives, 17 patrolmen, two jailers, seven special officers, and one patrol wagon driver. Appointed were: one captain, three detectives, 21 patrolmen, and one patrol wagon driver; many who had been fired during the previous administration. The special police system was virtually wiped out, for the time being.
By all accounts his term as Chief was successful. He showed a decrease in crime from 1899 to 1900, pointing to officers handling gambling, hobos, thugs, disorderly and suspicious characters. He did have issues with the laws that allowed for gambling behind closed doors. That changed in 1902 and all gambling was suppressed.
McLauchlan left office at the beginning of 1903, returning to the railroad as Master Mechanic, retiring in 1925. He died in 1946 at the age of 92.
With Mayor Pennoyer gone and new Mayor Mason in charge, McLaughlin was selected as the new Chief. At the same time the commission removed: one captain, four detectives, 17 patrolmen, two jailers, seven special officers, and one patrol wagon driver. Appointed were: one captain, three detectives, 21 patrolmen, and one patrol wagon driver; many who had been fired during the previous administration. The special police system was virtually wiped out, for the time being.
By all accounts his term as Chief was successful. He showed a decrease in crime from 1899 to 1900, pointing to officers handling gambling, hobos, thugs, disorderly and suspicious characters. He did have issues with the laws that allowed for gambling behind closed doors. That changed in 1902 and all gambling was suppressed.
McLauchlan left office at the beginning of 1903, returning to the railroad as Master Mechanic, retiring in 1925. He died in 1946 at the age of 92.