By Mike Simmons
Until recently, the Pensacola Police Explorers post was a cornerstone of the Pensacola Police Department. Explorers would not only be seen assisting with crowd control and ceremonies, but they also competed against other groups across the country in police tactics. They would also be seen riding with officers, especially on weekend nights.
But, how did the group get started? An article in the Pensacola News Journal on April 18, 1955, helps explain the beginning.
“A move to educate and train Pensacola youths in police techniques will soon get underway when the Junior Police Department is organized under the sponsorship of the Pensacola Police Club, according to Chief of Police Crosby Hall.”
The article went on to say that Sergeant D.P. Calwell was to be in charge of the program. A rather strict background check was done in order to allow admittance into the club, and an interview process followed. The selection committee included local business leaders and a judge.
Requirements included:
- Must be a first-class scout, explorer, or equivalent.
- Must live in the area.
- Must be at least 14 years of age
- Shall qualify for the following badges: first aid, lifesaving, swimming, marksmanship, fingerprinting, automobiling, citizenship
- Must attend the Police Club training course.
- Must attend all meetings and keep high Boy Scouting standards.
- Must attend church services regularly.
The maximum number of members was set at 12. Subjects included: police history, basic traffic control, police public relations, city ordinances, and police communication.
Duties included assisting the police in non-hazardous situations such as answering phone calls, fingerprint identification, and directing traffic.
Each member was outfitted with luminous white 8-point police hats, grey shirts, blue trousers, white belts, and black shoes.
Monday, February 13, 2012:
The PPD Explorers took first place last weekend at Winterfest 2012 in Gatlinburg, TN, in the burglary-in-progress competition and 9th place in the DUI Traffic Competition. The team members – Kenneth Mealy, Jeremiah Weaver, Aubrey Lee, and Natasha Fields – competed against 74 teams across the nation.
The founding leaders and members probably were not aware, but they started a tradition that lasted almost 60 years!
