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On February 16, 1885, the Pensacola city charter was dissolved and replaced by a provisional government. Under the provisional government, the Pensacola Police Department, previously under the command of Marshal Mallett, was reorganized two days later. Joseph Wilkins was appointed the new Marshal and Chief of Police. From 1821 to 1885, law enforcement in Pensacola grew from one constable to a force of 16 police officers in addition to the sheriff’s department. Now, officers would be on duty all day every day!
When the new department was organized, it was determined that a more professional attitude would be taken. New rules and regulations for police officers were established. Among them:
1. Officers could not sit down while on duty.<br> 2. Officers could not drink "spirituous liquor" in the police station.<br> 3. Officers had to be able to read and write in English, never have been indicted and convicted of a crime, of physical health and vigor, of good moral character, and of unquestionable energy.<br> 4. The more intelligent officers were stationed on the main streets.<br> 5. An officer could not use his club or pistol except when he was protecting his life or if someone showed resistance.<br> 6. An officer could not leave his beat unless he was taking an arrestee to the police station or for an emergency.<br> 7. Officers could not visit bar rooms while on or off-duty.<br>
8. An officer could not be absent for roll call more than three times a month.
As 1900 approached, a new development took place. The Department began testing officers periodically in their knowledge of the laws and the locations of businesses and streets in their areas. They were also required to be in excellent physical shape in order to perform their duties. About this time, officers began to work in teams of two. Partners were required to walk the streets for better protection. A local ordinance stated that if two officers were walking down a busy sidewalk and shouted, "Gang Way," people had to move out of their way.
Pensacola Police Department Heads<br> James Johnstone, Marshal: 1764-1781<br> James Craig, Alguazil: 1821-1821 <br> Colonel Pier, Alguazil: 1821-1822<br> J. N. Brown, Constable: 1822-1823<br> James Ingraham, Constable: 1823-1824<br> Fransisco Comyns, Constable: 1824–1825<br> Foster Chapman, Constable: 1825–1827<br> Fransisco Comyns, Constable: 1827-1830 <br> Henry Nunes, Constable: 1830-1830 <br> Edward Senae, City Marshal: 1830-1834 <br> John Gonzalez, City Marshal: 1834-1837<br> Elliott Headington, City Marshal: 1836-1838 <br> George Willis, City Marshal: 1838-1844<br> Frances Touart, Marshal: 1844-1846<br> Fransisco Comyns, Constable: 1877<br> George Wells, Marshal: 1882 - 1883<br> Richard Gagnet, Marshal: 1883 - 1885<br> Duncan Mallett, Marshal: January 1885-February 1885<br> Joseph Wilkins, Marshal: February 1885-March 1885<br> Duncan Mallett, Marshal: March 1885-January 1887<br>
J. B. Roberts, Marshal & Chief of Police: January 1, 1887-January 15, 1889
William H. Connors, Chief of Police: April 26, 1889 – March 8, 1891<br> Joseph Wilkins, Marshal: March 8, 1891 – August 22, 1893<br> William H. McDavid, Marshal: August 22, 1893 – June 7, 1895 <br> Edward A. Wallace, Marshal: June 7, 1895<br> Frank Wilde, Marshal & Chief: December 31, 1897–June 4, 1901<br> Ammie A. Credille, Marshal & Chief: June 4, 1901- June 4, 1903<br> C. F. Schad, Marshal and Chief of Police – June 4, 1903 – October 31, 1906<br> Milton Frank, Marshal and Chief of Police – October 31, 1906 – June 5, 1907 <br> Frank D. Sanders, Marshal & Chief of Police – June 6, 1907 – November 7, 1916 <br> Cary Ellis, Chief of Police - June 10, 1918 - December 31, 1920<br> Milton Frank, Chief of Police – January 1, 1921 – June 10, 1923<br> Mose Penton, Chief of Police – June 11, 1923 - October 23, 1923<br> Ernest Ellis Harper, Chief of Police – October 23, 1923 - November 19, 1925<br> William O'Connell, Chief of Police – November 19, 1925 – July 20, 1947<br> Crosby Hall, Chief of Police – July 21, 1947 – October 15, 1961<br> Drexel P. Caldwell, Chief of Police – February 2, 1962 – July 12, 1974<br> James Davis, Chief of Police – July 12, 1974 – August 22, 1980<br> Louis Goss, Chief of Police – August 22, 1980 – December 31, 1994<br> Norman Chapman, Chief of Police – December 31, 1994 - October 14, 1998<br> Jerry Potts, Chief of Police - October 14, 1998 - March 29, 2002<br> John Mathis, Chief of Police – April 8, 2002 – June 11, 2010<br> Chip Simmons, Chief of Police – March 28, 2011 - July 15, 2015<br> David Alexander, Chief of Police – July 16, 2015 - May 12, 2017 <br> Tommi Lyter, Chief of Police – May 12, 2017 – December 27, 2020<br> Kevin Christman, Interim Chief of Police – December 27, 2020 – June 14, 2021<br> Eric Randall, Chief of Police – June 14, 2021 – <br>
