CELEBRATION
FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPARTMENT
Building relationships in the community means reaching out and asking
questions — such as when Sgt. Eddie Dove paused during his shift to talk
with a young basketball player.
FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPARTMENT
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graph school. You have to make sure the right type of person
is hired.”
Kirk also points to technology as being a game-changer.
“Everything was written down. Then we got Tandy computers.
Then, cell phones. Before, you had to jump out of a
squad car and find a phone booth to make a call. How did we
ever deal with that?”
Cell phones make the job easier in some ways but more
challenging in others.
“In the ‘70s,” Tedder says, “law enforcement was respected,
usually not challenged. It’s a totally different ballgame now.
Everybody’s got a cell phone, ready to video. When you’re in
a hostile situation, that’s on your mind.”
Uniforms changed from navy to tan in 1949, with new
shoulder patches in 1950 sporting a dark blue sailfish on a
light blue background with the logo The Sunrise City. Today’s
version features a sun and flags with references to Florida’s
history and beaches. By early 1991, the department went back
to the blue.
Kirk says the switch changed the community’s perception
that it was all the “‘Same old, same old.’ We were more professional
looking. The rank and file felt more professional. The
community perceived us as being more professional. Even the
cars changed from brown and taupe to blue and white.”
MOTORING ON
The city approved the department’s first automobile in
May 1924. According to a newspaper account: “Possession of
a car, it was pointed out, would enable the chief to give much
better service in covering the city adequately, and might also
help in curbing speeders.”
Today’s fleet consists of 75 vehicles including three crime
scene vans and a mobile drone unit van. Additionally, the
department has a 21-foot boat, four message board trailers,
two ATVs, two Segways and a security tower trailer. >>
Each year, the Florida Cracker Trail Association hosts a ride across Florida that ends in downtown Fort Pierce and is assisted by the police department.