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Eric Randall was hired as Chief of the Pensacola Police Department on June 14, 2021 after a nationwide search, public participation and thorough review by a selection committee and Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson IV.

Prior to being hired in Pensacola, Chief Randall was the Assistant Chief of Police at Newport News, VA, Police Department.

Chief Randall was born and grew up in Pensacola and graduated from Washington High School in 1991. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served for eight years before being honorably discharged. He began his career with Newport News Police Department in 1998 as an auxiliary officer. In February 2000 he became a full-time officer and worked as a patrol officer, bike officer, field training officer, narcotics detective, and explosive breacher on the department’s tactical Operations Unit.

In 2006, he was promoted to sergeant and served as a supervisor in patrol and the Organized Crime Division. As a sergeant in Organized Crime Division, he led investigations related to the illegal distribution of narcotics and supervised the FBI’s Peninsula Safe Streets Task Force. In 2010, he was promoted to lieutenant and served as Acting Precinct Commander, Acting Criminal Investigations Commander and Tactical Operations Unit Commander (SWAT).

On November 16, 2014 he was promoted to captain and served as the South Precinct Commander, and on August 14, 2017 he was promoted to Assistant Chief of Police where he served as the Investigations Bureau Commander.

Chief Randall earned a Master of Science and Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Saint Leo University. He is a graduate of the 63rd session of the Police Executive Research Forum – Senior Management Institute for Police. Among the awards and recognitions he has received during his law enforcement career are two Life Saving Awards, Homeless Outreach Collaborative Team Outstanding Community Service Award, William F. Corvello Leadership Award, United States Attorney Public Service Award, Federal Bureau of Investigation Top Gang Investigation, NOBLE Criminal Justice Achievement Award, and the United States Attorney Award for Excellence in Management.

Police Chief Randall can be reached at 850.435.1855 or email Police Chief Randall.

Maintenance of public trust and confidence in the police are critical to effective policing and are achieved largely through fair and equitable treatment of the public. This is a basic requirement of law enforcement and the right of all persons in our society.

The Pensacola Police Department prohibits biased policing as a law enforcement tactic and will not tolerate or condone its use by any member.

Biased policing is defined as the inappropriate consideration of specified characteristics while enforcing the law or providing police services. Specified characteristics include, but are not limited to, race, ethnic background, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, age, disability, political status, or any other legally protected characteristics. Biased policing is considered synonymous with “un-biased policing,” “fair and impartial policing” and “bias-free policing.”

However, criminal profiling is a legitimate law enforcement tool. It is an investigative method by which an officer, through observation of activities and environment, identifies suspicious behavior by individuals and develops a legal basis, consistent with the Fourth Amendment, to detain and question.

Any person may file a complaint with the department if they believe they have been stopped or searched based on biased policing. No person shall be discouraged, intimidated or coerced from filing such a complaint.

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