View source for Canal Zone Police

{{Short description|US federal law enforcement agency in the Panama Canal Zone}}
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The '''Canal Zone Police''' was a [[Federal law enforcement agencies in the United States|United States federal law enforcement agency]] of more than 400 officers responsible for security and general policing duties in the [[Panama Canal Zone]]. The force was split into two divisions, Atlantic and Pacific, and operated about 25 stations. The force was disbanded on March 31, 1982, when law enforcement responsibilities for the former Panama Canal Zone passed to the [[Republic of Panama]] under the [[Torrijos–Carter Treaties]] of 1977.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1982/04/01/Panama-gets-greater-control-over-Canal-Zone/4059386485200/|title=Panama gets greater control over Canal Zone|last=Cupas|first=Tomas A.|date=1982-04-01|publication-place=[[Panama City]], Panama|agency=[[UPI]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1982/04/01/Panama-to-police-Canal-Zone/4753386485200/|title=Panama to police Canal Zone|last=Cupas|first=Tomas A.|date=1982-04-01|publication-place=Panama City, Panama|agency=UPI}}</ref> The [[Panamanian National Police]] is responsible for law enforcement in the Canal complex.

Between 1941 and 1957 three Canal Zone Police officers were killed in separate incidents. Each officer was on motorcycle patrol and was forced off the road by a speeding car. No suspects were ever charged with the killings.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Panama Canal Zone Police Department|url=https://www.odmp.org/agency/3006-panama-canal-zone-police-department-panama-canal-zone|access-date=2024-05-16|website=[[Officer Down Memorial Page]]}}</ref>{{bsn|date=August 2024}}{{fv|date=August 2024}}

The first Canal Zone Police uniforms were military with a [[campaign hat]]. Later uniforms were more in line with [[State police (United States)|US state police]]. Headwear ranged from octagonal [[peaked cap]] to [[Stetson]] cavalry hat.

== External links ==
* [http://www.czbrats.com/Articles/czp.htm CZP History by Chief William F. Kessler]

[[Category:Defunct federal law enforcement agencies of the United States]]
[[Category:History of the Panama Canal Zone]]

== References ==
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{{Panama Canal}}

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