On September 1, 1950 a special board meeting was held for the purpose of appointing a Village Marshall. The President of the Board presented Mr. (Grant) Franks to office of Village Marshall and all of the trustees were in favor. The appointment was made by the President and Mr. Franks was sworn in by the Village Clerk. It was also voted that bulletin's be posted in the "various business houses" announcing Mr. Frank's appointment. In the regular board meeting on September 8, 1950 the board voted to purchase a siren for the sum of $8.00 "to be used by Village Marshall in performing his duties". During the board meeting on September 22, 1950 a motion was made and seconded to purchase 250 "police tickets" at a cost of $7.60 from the East Moline Herald Publishing Company. During the December 1, 1950 board meeting a motion was made and seconded to pay the Village Marshall for wages due, a total of $61.50 after taxes. Grant Franks reportedly drove a 1946 or 1947 green Buick fastback as his police cruiser. A resident of Hillsdale who knew Grant tells us that he typically wore bib overalls when he worked.

William Johnson, a "Special Policeman" was paid $20.00 during the March 16, 1951 board meeting for appreciation of his services in front of the grade school. This $20.00 appreciation payment is noted in board meeting minutes throughout the next several years.

Department personnel:

• Chief of Police-Todd C. Nicholson
• Sergeant-Jim Ringberg
• Officer-Bonnie Francis
• Officer-Travis Jacobs

Chief Nicholson grew up in Hillsdale and has worked part-time for the Village since 1975, other than for a few short absences. Todd was also a Sheriff's Deputy full-time and retired from the Rock Island County Sheriff's Department in 2003.