An excerpt from the book, “Pensacola’s Finest in Pictures”
Airport Policing
In the 1910s there was one hijacking. 2 each in the 20s & 30s, 5 in the 40s, and 4 in the 50s. In the 1960s, however, the number jumped to 17, and there were 63 in the 70s! As a result, in the late 1960s, more airports heightened security measures. In the 1970s, the federal government began requiring police officers to be present for all departures.
The Pensacola Police Department subsequently assigned officers permanently to the Pensacola Regional Airport. The assignments began with the beat officer stopping by when a departure took place. Eventually, officers were assigned there permanently. Then, in 1984, the Pensacola Regional Airport Police Force was born. The officers were part of the Pensacola Police Department, but came under the supervision of the airport director.
In 2010, the Pensacola Police Department once again assumed the duties of policing at the airport. Six officers and two sergeants were assigned to handle the ever-increasing airport duties. These positions were supplemented by part-time officers. Each officer who worked at the airport – even occasionally – had to undergo training in airport policing. The officers had to be familiar with, not only Florida statutes and city ordinances, but also the statutes and rules of the FAA and the TSA. It was a lot to learn new tricks for…uh, old dogs.
Over the years, the airport has grown and increased in traffic. There are ever-increasing responsibilities in keeping the flights, passengers, and employees safe and secure.
Good job, officers.
