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Sgt. Michael E. Simmons
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'''<big>Pensacola’s Finest</big>
“The Story of the Pensacola Police Department”'''<br>
Sgt. Michael E. Simmons<br> On July 17, 1821 at 10 AM, General Andrew Jackson accepted West and East Florida for the United States in a trade with Spain. Two days later, Jackson appointed James Craig as Alguazil (Spanish for Constable). Pensacola’s first American police officer was created!<br> 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>
