Mclean Police Department
The McLean Police Department is the municipal law enforcement agency serving the city of McLean in Gray County, Texas. The department is responsible for maintaining public safety, enforcing local and state laws, preventing crime, and providing law enforcement services to residents, businesses, and visitors. Its responsibilities include 24-hour patrol operations, traffic enforcement, criminal investigations, school safety, and community policing. Located along Interstate 40 and historic U.S. Route 66, the department also provides assistance to motorists and travelers passing through the area. The department works in cooperation with the Gray County Sheriff's Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Rangers, and neighboring emergency services to coordinate law enforcement efforts. It is headquartered at 116 First Street in McLean and is led by Chief of Police Quinn Ackerman.
| Mcleanpdlogo.png | |
 Proud to serve our community. The McLean Police Department is here for you—committed to safety, service, and the neighbors we protect | |
| ISIN | 🆔 |
|---|---|
| Industry | Police Department |
| Founded 📆 | 1901-01-01 |
| Founder 👔 | Chief Quinn Ackerman |
Area served 🗺️ | |
| Owners | 1 |
| Members | 37 |
Number of employees | 36 |
| 🌐 Website | https://mcleantx.org/police/ |
| 📇 Address | 116 First St, McLean, TX 79057 |
| 📞 telephone | (806) 395-5198 |
History
The history of the McLean Police Department is closely associated with the development and growth of McLean, Texas, a community in Gray County. Founded in the early twentieth century, McLean developed around the railroad following the establishment of a railroad switch and section house in 1901. The town was formally established in 1902 and incorporated in 1909. As the community grew into an agricultural, railroad, and commercial center, the need for local law enforcement and public safety services became an important part of municipal government.
During the early decades of the twentieth century, McLean experienced considerable economic growth, particularly following the arrival of U.S. Route 66 in 1927. The highway transformed the community into an important stop for motorists traveling across the Texas Panhandle, contributing to the expansion of local businesses, service stations, restaurants, and lodging establishments. This increased activity brought additional responsibilities for local public safety and law enforcement, particularly in relation to traffic regulation, property protection, and the growing number of travelers passing through the community. National Park Service+1 During World War II, the establishment of the McLean prisoner-of-war camp in 1942 brought a substantial temporary population to the surrounding area. The facility housed thousands of German prisoners of war and required a considerable number of military and civilian personnel to operate. The camp remained in operation until July 1945. Although the available historical records do not establish the specific involvement or organizational structure of the McLean Police Department during this period, the camp represented a significant development in the area's public safety environment. Historic Texas By the latter half of the twentieth century, McLean began experiencing economic and population changes as regional commerce increasingly shifted toward larger communities, particularly Amarillo and Pampa. The construction of Interstate 40 eventually diverted much of the traffic previously traveling through the community on Route 66. These changes contributed to a gradual decline in the town's population and commercial activity. Despite these developments, municipal government and local public services continued to serve the remaining community. Texas State Historical Association+1 Historical records provide evidence of law enforcement activity in the McLean area by at least the late twentieth century. A June 5, 1980, edition of The McLean News documented an election for Gray County Precinct 5 constable, an elected law enforcement position serving McLean, Alanreed, and surrounding areas. The newspaper also described the candidate's involvement in local emergency response and volunteer services. This provides documentation of the broader law enforcement structure serving the community during that period, although the constable's office was separate from the municipal police department. Southwest Special Collections A federal law enforcement directory also contains an entry for the McLean Police Department, identifying it as a municipal police agency serving McLean in Gray County, Texas. This provides additional evidence of the department's existence, although the directory does not establish its founding date, early leadership, staffing levels, or operational history. Office of Justice Programs In subsequent decades, the McLean Police Department continued as part of the town's municipal public safety services. Its presence reflects the continued role of local law enforcement in a small rural community where police services are important for maintaining public order, responding to incidents, enforcing municipal and state laws, and assisting residents and visitors.
