On the evening of March 12, 1942, the Minneapolis Police Department launched a training course for 500 men who were hoping to qualify for membership in the new Auxiliary Police Force.
The Auxiliary Police Force was established to provide aid to the Minneapolis Police Department should bombing or any other war disaster strike Minneapolis.
Training took place at the Marigold Ballroom at 8:00 pm every Thursday evening for 16 successive weeks. The volunteers received 32 hours of instruction in first aid, fire and gas defense, drilling, and general police work. Volunteers had the option of taking additional training which would lead to Red Cross First Aid certification.
They also studied from a 45-page handbook which was issued by the Minnesota Office of Civilian Defense. It was written by Elden Rowe who was at the time the State Crime Bureau Chief.
The first evening of training began with a discussion of general duties led by Police Chief Edward B. Hansen. Following the Chief, Detective Ed Ryan, who was head of the internal protection detail, lectured on sabotage dangers and prevention.
After completing the 16 week course, volunteers were required to pass a final examination before joining the Auxiliary Police Force.
A similar training course for an Auxiliary Fire-Fighting Force was scheduled to begin in early summer.
Source Minneapolis Tribune of March 12, 1942
Photographs Courtesy of Hennepin County Library
In the top photograph, Chief Hansen inspects the line-up of recruits for the Auxiliary Police Force