TL;DR: The Salem Police Department on Days of Our Lives is the first line of defense against the town’s constant drama, but its own history is filled with faked deaths, shocking betrayals, and surprising alliances that are often more dramatic than the crimes they are trying to solve.
The Men and Women in Blue
The Salem Police Department is a constant presence in the lives of the town’s citizens, with some of the show’s most beloved characters working as detectives and police commissioners. From the iconic Roman Brady and the rebellious Bo Brady to the steadfast Rafe Hernandez, the police force has always been at the heart of the action.
However, being a police officer in Salem is no easy task, as they are often forced to choose between their duty and their personal loyalties. Over the years, the police force has been home to countless scandals, including a serial killer on the loose and the many times a villain has broken out of jail.
The writers often use the department as a launchpad for new storylines, with officers getting pulled into the chaos of the DiMera and Kiriakis families.
DAYS Most Unsolved Mysteries
The Salem PD has a number of unsolved mysteries that have haunted the town for years. One of the most infamous is the unsolved death of a police officer who was killed on duty—a cold case that refuses to stay buried and still fuels fan theories.
Another chilling chapter is the “Necktie Killer” terror that left Salem reeling; while a culprit was caught, lingering questions remain and could resurface in future storylines.
And in true Salem fashion, the badge hasn’t always meant the truth: cover-ups, swapped evidence, and secret agendas have earned the department a reputation as one of the most complicated—and combustible—institutions in town.
What’s Next for the Salem PD?
The current state of the Salem Police Department is anything but calm, with Rafe Hernandez recently reinstated as police commissioner after personal and professional upheavals. He’s juggling DiMera and Kiriakis drama while chasing a fresh crime wave—and the next rookie (or mystery transfer) could shake the precinct all over again.
Don’t be surprised if a new mastermind tests the department’s limits or if an old Days of Our Lives case blows wide open. In Salem, the next headline-grabbing arrest is always one twist away.
