The 1940's started under the leadership of Chief Norman Cook. Chief Cook was very interested in advancing professionalism in police work and took a step towards this goal by attending the F.B.I. National Academy in Washington D.C. The F.B.I. National Academy is a rigorous training school for police executives and continues to this day.

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Chief Cook was the first Ann Arbor Officer to attend the F.B.I. National Academy and received a personal invitation from J.Edgar Hoover, Director of the F.B.I. At that time the F.B.I. sent an agent from Washington, to the applicant's place of employment, to conduct a background check to see that they met academy standards.

Chief Cook attended the eleven week academy, which began in April 1940, while Sgt. Sherman Mortenson served as acting chief. Under the rules of the academy, the students were required to conduct training courses for their departments following their return home. Chief Cook was very impressed with the academy and hoped to improve criminal investigations with the knowledge he gained from it. Chief Cook stated, “A police officer should be a gentleman in every case. An officer can accomplish far more by intelligence than by the old methods, such as the third degree. Attending such a school is like trading in a 1910 automobile for a 1940 model.”

One of the biggest proponents of Chief Cook attending the academy was the Ann Arbor News. In an editorial dated March 22, 1940, the News recommended that the police commission approve the appointment of Chief Cook to the academy. The editorial stated, “Ann Arbor has a responsibility which it must not neglect. The first job of the Ann Arbor Police Department is, of course, to protect the city. But it has another obligation. Our police department should be a model which other departments try to emulate.” On March 24, 1940, Chief Cook received permission from the police commission to attend the academy.

The Policemen's Ball

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Many times in my career people have asked if we had a policemen's ball. I always wondered about the origin of the Policeman's Ball and never knew what it was until researching this book. Interestingly enough, the Ann Arbor Police Department did have a Policemen's Ball from 1927 until 1941. This was actually quite a big event with approximately 1200 people attending the ball. The balls raised money for families of Ann Arbor Police and Firemen in case of a duty death, but more importantly for pension benefits, as the city did not provide a pension to the officers. The ball was discontinued in 1941, when the city voted to provide police officers and firefighters pensions.

Usually two orchestras furnished the music for dancing. University students attended the balls and permission had to be granted by the University of Michigan's Dean of Women, for Michigan co-eds to stay out until the danced closed at 1:00 a.m. Imagine today's students needing permission to stay out past 1:00 a.m.!

Death of Sgt. Edward Iler

On February 9, 1940, Sgt. Edward Iler died after having surgery for appendicitis. His appendix had ruptured, but initially he was recovering from the surgery without any complications. Sgt. Iler's condition worsened and the doctors could not save him. At his bedside when he died was his wife, Virginia, his mother Catherine, Chief Cook, Sgt. Enkemann and Officer Miller.

Sgt. Iler was only 28 years old but was highly respected in the department. He was in charge of personnel training for the department and directed instruction for all new recruits. Sgt. Iler also received the first broadcast over the two way radio system. Chief Cook stated, “Sgt. Iler was an outstanding example of the highest type of police officer. He considered police work a profession, not just a job. He was constantly studying and striving to improve not only himself, but the entire department. Not only the department, but the community as whole has suffered a great loss in his untimely passing.” Many thought that Sgt. Iler would have one day been appointed as chief. Officer Clark Ford was promoted to Sgt. by the police commission to replace Sgt. Iler.

Sgt. Red Howard

Sgt. Marland “Red” Howard was a local institution who worked for the police department for over 40 years. Virtually every person who frequented downtown knew who Sgt. Howard was. Sgt. Howard walked the downtown beat, which he loved dearly, for nearly 30 years. He had such a love of the beat that he did not want a promotion to sergeant, for fear of being relegated to desk duty. He finally accepted a promotion after nearly 30 years and was allowed to continue walking his beat until he retired in 1947.

Sgt. Howard lived with his family at 410 W. Washington and on the day of his 25th anniversary with the department, his family staged a surprise party at his house to celebrate this occasion. Most of the department, Mayor Sadler, Sheriff Andres and many city officials came to celebrate with Red because of the love and respect they had for him.

Sgt. Howard joined the department in 1907 and served under eight city marshals and police chiefs, starting with Marshals Jack Kenny and Frank Pardom, Chief's Thomas O'Brien, Lewis Fohey, Norman Cook, Sherman Mortenson and Casper Enkemann.

Red Howard was a legend not only within the police department but in the city. He knew and was known by everyone downtown. Sgt. Howard was a very big man standing well over 6' and weighing nearly 300 pounds. He was extremely strong and nimble for a big man, surprising many who would try to outrun him. Officer Duane Buaer testified to Sgt. Howard's strength when he saw him handle two drunks at a University of Michigan football game. “Red took both by the neck and took them up seventy two steps. He was a powerful man,” said Bauer.

When Sgt. Howard caught mischievous youths committing petty crimes, he was more apt to make them apologize to the victim, fix what they had damaged and send the youths on their way with a warning.

Sgt. Howard retired on September 12, 1947, at the age of 69 and died a year later.