Uniforms

From the first day of the Pensacola Police Department on July 19, 1821 to 1884, police officers had no uniforms or badges. In 1882, the local newspaper hinted at the first sign of police uniforms when they said that the city clerk was putting funds into the uniform account. The money was then repaid by taking it from the paychecks of the officers.

On February 17, 1884, the newspaper, The Pensacolian, reported that the officers were now donning their new uniforms and looked like they were moving forward, just like city.

The first known photo of the Pensacola Police Department, taken in 1897

The Pensacola Police Department posing outside of the new police station in 1909. Notice that the officers have no firearms. Even though firearms were not part of the official uniform, most officer carried one under their jacket.

Officer Oscar Collins, early 1900s. By the time of this photo, the officers’ uniforms had evolved from a double row of buttons to a single row. The custodian helmet is a light colored, likely a summer hat. Notice the bulge where a sidearm is probably located.

Officer Chip Shackleford in 1926. The department uniforms had newer, peaked hats, with a lighter jacket, a shirt and tie.

Pensacola Police officer, late 1920s. Likely, this officer is dressed in a winter uniform, including a dark jacket, vest, and shirt & tie. The tie is light-colored

Members of the police department posing in front of the station at 407 S. Jefferson Street in 1936. By this time, the Sam Browne belt, signified by the shoulder strap, was gaining popularity.

Officer (later sergeant) Victor Ciulla in the 1940s. The department’s summer uniform includes a lightweight, light-colored shirt with a badge. Many officers had begun using a crossdraw holster, shown on his belt. The peaked cap, different from previous years’ hats, had eight points around the top. The hat is a nod to the eight-member “Rattle Patrol,” the precursor to the New York Police Department.

Assistant Chief Riley Simmons was a long-time employee, serving from 1905 – 1953. This photo, taken in the 1940s, showed Simmons’ hat with “Asst Chief,” a tie, and a Sam Browne belt.

Officer Joe Jackson in the 1950s. He is dressed in a winter uniform. After WWII, the “Eisenhower Jacket” had become popular and is being worn by Officer Jackson.

Officers Scott Matthews, Richard Jackson, Louis Goss, seated on a bench in the desk sergeant’s office at the Police station at 407 S. Jefferson Street in 1955. The officers are dressed in summer uniforms, with only a badge on their uniforms. The department had purchased hook-style buckles on their large police belts.

Officers Richard Godwin and Buddy Peake are pictured in their winter uniforms, 1950s. Each man has a whistle chain which is common for traffic officers to get to their whistles immediately when needed.

This is a photo of Officer Henry Reeves, taken in the 1960s. Reeves is wearing a crossdraw holster. He is also wearing the new, unique Pensacola Police badge that had been issued in 1956. The police cars now had cages in the back. By this time, the department had moved from 407 S. Jefferson Street to 40 South Alcaniz Street.

In the 1960s, a PR brochure was made. This photo features six officers wearing the gray shirts, the new badge, and crossdraw holsters. The uniforms now donned PPD collar brass and one officer has a name tag. Notice the old shoulder patch.

Here is a group of officers in Lineup, before a shift in 1972. All officers are wearing a name tag, and now have been issued new shoulder patches.

Pensacola City Manager Frank Faison, incoming Chief James Davis, and outgoing Chief Drexel Caldwell, outside of the police station at 40 South Alcaniz Street in 1974. The Captains and Chiefs wore hats with oak leaves, popularly known as “scrambled eggs” on the bill.

Officer David Goldsmith, pictured in the 1980s, is wearing a light blue polyester shirt, which the department switched to in the 1970s. The officers no longer wore hats.

Officer Steve Rankin, pictured in the 1990s. Officer Rankin is wearing the new, dark blue uniform shirt, and a whistle chain. He also wears a city longivity pin and a shooting pin over his name tag, and department-issued medals under his badge. He also has two stripes on his sleeve, indicating that he is a Field Training Officer.

Sgt. Mike Simmons sitting the “Way Out” chair (the “way out” from the department due to retirement) at the 711 North Hayne Street police department location in 2014.

Officers Partrick and McMahon in 2020. The officers are wearing polo shirts and exterior vests, allowing them to carry equipment, but not on their belts (less strain on their backs)