Clarence Webb is a native of Hillsville, Va. He was drafted into the Army in 1952, and was stationed at Fort Benning in Columbia, S.C. He became a member of the military police, processing orders in the battalion headquarters. After he got out of the Army, the unemployment office in Galax, Va., told Webb that the city of Alexandria had an open position on the police department. He joined the Alexandria Police Department in 1956 as an officer, eventually retiring as a corporal in 1984. He later rejoined the force as a civilian computer programmer from 1984 to 1998.
What has been the biggest change since 1956?
One of the biggest changes has been with the cars. When I joined 1956, the cars were standard shift, six-cylinder with a white top. Then they went air conditioned and got electric windows. You used to have to reach over the seat to roll the window down when someone approached. But with the electric window, you could just zip it right down.
What else has changed in the past 50 years?
The size of the department has increased. When I came, we had 38 men on the police force, Then, when I left in 1984, we had at least 250. I worked in three different police stations. When I started the police station was at City Hall. Then in 1959, we moved over to 400 North Pitt St. Then in 1987, we moved into the building on Mill Road.
What was the City Hall police department like?
The cell block was on the ground floor. It had only one ventilation window, and it was smelly. The upstairs part of the cell block didn't have any toilet, so some of the prisoners would just urinate right on the floor. It was a very unsanitary situation. The chief's office had a nice desk, and the room was fixed up nicer than the other offices. You were afraid to sit down because it looked too nice.
What was roll call like?
We did roll call in the room above the police department in the courtroom. The sergeant would sit at the judge's bench, and we'd sit all around the defense table and the prosecutor's table. He would call the roll and tell us where we were working and what cars we'd be in. And then, he'd read the events to us.
When was crime the highest?
I came from down in the mountains, so the worst crime we ever had there was that someone stole a bicycle. But here in Alexandria they had stabbings and car robberies. I couldn't believe that there was so much crime. In the early 1960s, we started to have specialized training to fight the prowlers and the peeping toms. When drugs came in, they created a drug department and took control of it. So we kept a pretty good hold on crime.
What are your achievements?
I could work any area or any beat. I was what they called an "at-large" officer. When someone was sick or injured, I could go there and work the beat. Then I studied computers and learned them on my own. We worked together to computerize the department. Soon, we could get lots of information very quickly.
What are your interests and hobbies?
I like fishing and hunting and just going out into the country. I also like boating.
What is your favorite local restaurant?
Old Country Buffet at Woodbridge by Dale City right behind Potomac Mills. You can get anything you want to eat, and it's reasonable.