The youngest brother of George Washington, Colonel Charles Washington, founded the City of Charlestown.  Charles Washington moved to our area in 1780 after receiving a land grant from Lord Fairfax.  In 1786, Charles Washington donated the land where Charlestown is now situated and petitioned to the Virginia State House for the formulation of the City.  During the Civil War in 1863, this area of Virginia seceded from Virginia and became West Virginia.  For a time, this was a contested issue and many court battles were fought and ultimately won as to the validity of the secession by Jefferson and other counties.  In January 1872, Charlestown was incorporated as a City in the County of Jefferson in the State of West Virginia.  This same Charlestown is the location where John Brown was tried, found guilty of treason and hanged for his actions at Harpers Ferry in 1859.

Although the 1850 Census reflects that Charlestown employed two constables as Police Officers, it wasn't until the time of incorporation in 1872 that the Police Department was actually formed.  The City Charter, in compliance with all West Virginia City Charters, placed the Mayor in charge of the Police Department and the fledgling Charlestown Police Department started with one police officer and a Town Sergeant, a title equivalent to the Chief of Police.  It was not until the turn of the century that the City changed it's name to Charles Town, so as not to be confused with Charleston.  In 1912, the title of Chief of Police was bestowed for the first time on James Smith and he remained the Chief of Police until 1934.

In 1937, the State of West Virginia adopted the policy of allowing incorporated cities to vote for and enact Civil Service for its police personnel.  Charles Town, in 1938, was one of the first cities to enact this policy.  In 1944, Charles Town purchased its first police vehicle, which was a new 1941 Ford 2 Door Deluxe Sedan.  In 1950 all 5 of the police officers in Charles Town, including the Chief, volunteered for service in Korea and 5 temporary officers, including a temporary Chief of Police, were hired for the duration of the police department's service to the country.

The department has gained steadily in size since that time.  Today, it is a viable department with 16 certified officers, a Chief and 3 civilian personnel.  The department has four operational divisions.  They are patrol, criminal investigations, Records and Parking.  The department has one K-9 team.  Selected officers serve on the Jefferson County SWAT team as a voluntary additional duty.   The Charles Town Police Department is a well-trained and highly capable agency that is able to respond to the public safety needs of the community.