The Pensacola Police Department will have its first African-American assistant chief come Sept. 15.

Capt. David Alexander III is being promoted to assistant chief as of that date. Alexander now leads the investigations division of the department. The rank of assistant chief will be the highest rank an African-American has attained at the police department. Tim Poe, now deceased, preceded Alexander as the highest ranking African-American in the department when he achieved the rank of captain.

Pensacola Police Chief Chip W. Simmons announced Alexander’s promotion as well as that of Lt. Tommi Lyter to captain this week. Both will be effective Sept. 15.

“David Alexander and Tommi Lyter are members of the department’s senior staff, and both bring a wealth of experience and knowledge. I have every confidence in their ability to move the department forward,” Simmons said.

As assistant chief, Alexander will oversee all department functions under the chief’s office.

Alexander, 54, was born in Pensacola. He was hired by the department as a cadet in 1983, promoted to police officer in 1984 and worked until 1989 when he left and was rehired in 1991 as an officer.

Among his assignments have been uniform patrol, field training officer, and supervisor in uniform patrol, administrative technical services, and neighborhood services divisions. He currently supervises the criminal investigations division and crime scene.

He has earned a bachelor’s of science degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in human resource management from Troy State University. He also is a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA. Among his community activities are mentoring youths, community outreach and serving as assistant pastor of Jesus Holy Tabernacle Church where he is the church youth leader.

Among Alexander’s community activities are Northwest Florida Congregations Action, Northwest Florida Prevention Coalition and JHT (Justice, Hope and Training) Safe Haven Development Center. Among his past memberships have been the Pensacola Weed and Seed Partnership, Community Redevelopment Agency and Governor’s Front Porch Florida Initiative.

Alexander and his wife, Alcuin, have been married 29 years and have two children: a son, David Alexander IV, and a daughter, Amber.

Lyter, 45, was hired as a police officer in August 1990. Among his assignments have been Uniform Patrol, Investigations, TAC, SWAT, K-9, dive team, and field training officer. He currently is assigned to the Neighborhood Services Division where he

supervises Property Management, Training and Personnel, Vice & Narcotics, School Resource Officers, and the Community Oriented Policing Squad.

Lyter, who was born in Lewistown, Pa., has a bachelor’s degree in criminal

justice and a master’s degree in public administration from Troy State University. He also graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA. Lyter is on the board of directors for the Community Drug and Alcohol Coalition, volunteers with the Make A Wish Foundation and works closely with neighborhood associations and Crime Watch groups.

Lyter and his wife, Brenda, have been married 23 years. They have three sons:

Christopher, Jonathan and Brandon and one granddaughter, Brooklynn.

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