Pensacola Police Department
Encyclopedia
The Pensacola Police Department
(or PPD) is the primary law enforcement agency for Pensacola
, Florida
in the United States
. The department was founded on July 18, 1821 by Gen. Andrew Jackson
, who had appointed city constable (policeman) to keep order within the city. On July 17, Jackson had entered Pensacola to accept the territory of East and West Florida for the United States. The following day, he established the government within the city.
The current Chief of Police is John W. Mathis, who assumed the role on April 8, 2002.
Pensacola Police Department
The Pensacola Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency for Pensacola, Florida in the United States. The department was founded on July 18, 1821 by Gen. Andrew Jackson, who had appointed city constable to keep order within the city. On July 17, Jackson had entered Pensacola to...
(or PPD) is the primary law enforcement agency for Pensacola
Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The department was founded on July 18, 1821 by Gen. Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States . Based in frontier Tennessee, Jackson was a politician and army general who defeated the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend , and the British at the Battle of New Orleans...
, who had appointed city constable (policeman) to keep order within the city. On July 17, Jackson had entered Pensacola to accept the territory of East and West Florida for the United States. The following day, he established the government within the city.
The current Chief of Police is John W. Mathis, who assumed the role on April 8, 2002.
Departmental organization
Currently the PPD has approximately 150 sworn police officers divided into four divisions:- The Uniform Patrol Division (UPD) is the largest and most visible. These officers are the Department's quick response unit and are most likely to answer emergency calls for help.
- The Neighborhood Services Division (NSD) is tasked with solving long-term problems and disseminating information to the public through Neighborhood Watch meetings and the like. This divisions also includes the Bike Unit and School Resource Officers. The Department wisely terminated its D.A.R.E. program in 2008.
- The Criminal Investigations Division (CID) provides follow-up on reported crimes and is responsible for long-term investigations. Within this division is the Crime Scene Unit and Vice & Narcotics.
- The Administrative, Technical, and Services Division (ATSD) is the smallest but is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of records, computer systems, vehicles, facilities, training, and any other support function.