By Mike Simmons
In 1967, officers of the Pensacola Police Department underwent the first department training class in riot control. The chief, D.P. Caldwell, felt that not enough training was being done to keep a professional department moving forward.
The training was held at the old Admiral Mason Park, a 2000-seat baseball stadium located at the site of today’s Veteran’s Memorial Park. The stadium, whose address was 100 South 9th Avenue, was home to the Pensacola Dons beginning in 1957. In 1961, the team was renamed The Pensacola Senators, due to their affiliation with the Washington Senators. After the team folded in 1962, the stadium sat vacant until it was demolished in 1974.
Below are some photos of the training day. Any familiar faces? Can anyone pick out Cliff Francis, Pat Patterson, Chief D.P. Caldwell, Inspector Ed Lawhorn, Grady Abercrombie, Captain Raymond Harper, Roland Simmons, Jim Simmons, Glenn Darling, Ken Gless, or Felix Cotton? Is Elmer Powell there?
Good job, Officers!
I joined the PPD in 1974. Chief Caldwell swore me in. We did have riot training and had the equipment ready for use and on a few occasions it was issued. I remember Admiral Mason Park, but it was not in use when I joined.
Skip Bollens PPD 1974 – 2000.