Charles Henry Cole (October 30, 1871 – November 13, 1952) was an American military and government official who served as commissioner of the Boston police and fire departments as well as Adjutant General of Massachusetts.

[5] In 1904, Cole served as captain of the Massachusetts Militia rifle team that competed at the national marksmanship competition at Fort Riley.

[5] In 1905, Cole was appointed inspector general of rifle practice for the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia by Governor William Lewis Douglas.

[7] Later that year, Douglas recommended Cole for the position of Massachusetts Democratic Party chairman.

[9][10] In 1906, the three-person police commission was abolished by the Massachusetts General Court in favor of a sole commissioner.

[11] On January 26, 1912, Boston Mayor John F. Fitzgerald dismissed Fire Commissioner Charles Dudley Daly and named Cole as his successor.

During his tenure, Cole added many pieces of motor apparatus to the department and served as chairman of the National Fire Protection Association.

General John J. Pershing, commanding the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) , found that the case against Cole did not warrant his removal and returned him to his former brigade.

Upon his return to Boston he was tasked with assisting with homecoming celebrations by the 26th Division's new commander, Major General Harry C.

[20] After the war Cole returned to politics; serving as a delegate from Massachusetts to the Democratic National Conventions of 1924 and 1928.

[21] Following his defeat, Cole was appointed as a trustee of the Boston Elevated Railway by outgoing Governor Alvan T.

[23] In September 1934, Cole was offered the position of Public Safety Commissioner by departing Governor Joseph B. Ely.

[25] He resigned from the commission on February 27, 1935, due a dispute with Curley over the Governor's insistence that his office make appointments.

Cole had the highest score certified by the Civil Service Commission, but was passed over in favor of Curley's candidate, William F.

In 1947, Cole announced that he would not seek reappointment due to his opposition to Governor Robert F. Bradford's proposal for a new state conciliation agency.