Studer Community Institute

Pensacola Police Chief Chip Simmons to retire

June 12, 2015
/ Staff Reports
/ government

Pensacola Chief of Police Chip Simmons plans to retire in August after 29 years of service with the department.

Assistant Chief David Alexander will be nominated to serve as the city's top law enforcement officer. If his appointment is approved by Pensacola City Council, Alexander will become the first African-American police chief in the 194-year history of PPD. Mayor Ashton Hayward's office announced the personnel moves by news release this afternoon. Simmons joined the Pensacola Police Department in 1986. He was promoted to sergeant in 1995, lieutenant in 1998, captain in 2002, and assistant chief in January 2005, before being appointed as Chief of Police in June 2010. During his time with the department, Simmons has been assigned to Uniform Patrol, Vice & Narcotics, and Investigations, and has served as a SWAT commander, field training officer, and media spokesman. In addition to the Mayor’s Leadership Award, Simmons has received several departmental awards in recognition of his service to the community, including a Bronze Cross and the Gold Medal of Valor, which is the department’s highest award for heroism. He has served on the Statewide Terrorist Network Group, Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, U.S. Customs Blue Lightning Strike Force, and was integral in establishing the Gun Crime Response Team with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and other regional law enforcement partners. “Chip shares my belief that public safety is the single most important responsibility of any city government,” Hayward said in the relese. “His community-oriented and results-centric approach has made him an invaluable partner in our effort to keep our neighborhoods and citizens safe. Chip and I have a very active partnership, and I’m proud of the results we’ve been able to deliver through that close collaboration and teamwork.” As Chief, Simmons has delivered significant reductions in crime year-over-year, resulting in the lowest crime rate on record. He also initiated the two-year effort that culminated last year with accreditation by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation, a highly-prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence. Earlier this year, the department became the first department in the region to deploy body cameras. Simmons credits the gains to the hard work of the department’s officers and his strong working relationship with Hayward. “I am extremely proud of the work we have done in my time as Chief,” said Simmons. “Thanks to the hard work of our officers and the leadership of Mayor Hayward, we have been able to make tremendous progress in reducing crime, realizing an 8 percent reduction last year on top of the double-digit reduction we achieved in 2013. "I want to thank Mayor Hayward for his friendship as well as his constant support and advocacy, which has been a critical factor in the progress we’ve been able to make. It has been an incredible honor to serve the citizens of Pensacola as their Chief of Police.” Alexander began as a cadet with the Pensacola Police Department in 1983, and has served as Assistant Chief since September 2014. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice as well as a master’s degree in human resources management from Troy State University. Alexander is deeply involved in the community, serving as an assistant pastor and youth leader at Jesus Holy Tabernacle Church and volunteering his time with Northwest Florida Congregations in Action, Northwest Florida Prevention Coalition, and the JHT (Justice, Hope and Training) Safe Haven Development Center. Capt. Tommi Lyter will also be promoted to assistant chief. Lyter was hired as a police officer in August 1990. Lyter received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in public administration from Troy State University. 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. Both Alexander and Lyter are graduates of the FBI National Academy program in Quantico, Va.

Back to Blogs

Pensacola Police Chief Chip Simmons to retire

Recent Posts