A public event celebrating Tommi Lyter being appointed the new Chief of the Pensacola Police Department is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday (May 26) at Olive Baptist Church, located at the corner of Olive Road and Davis Highway.
Chief Lyter officially became Chief of Police on May 12 after being appointed by Mayor Ashton Hayward III.
Chief Lyter began his career with the Pensacola Police Department after being hired as a police officer in August 1990. He was promoted to sergeant in 2003, to lieutenant in 2006, to captain in 2014, and to Assistant Chief on July 16, 2015.
Among his assignments have been Uniform Patrol, Investigations, Neighborhood Services, TAC, SWAT, K-9, Dive Team, and Field Training Officer. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. He also is a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA.
Chief Lyter has received three bronze crosses, one unit citation, two Chief’s Awards, and one meritorious service award. His department responsibilities have included project manager for body cameras and a citywide surveillance system.
He is on the Board of Directors for the Esca-Rosa Coalition on the Homeless and is a former board member of the Community Drug and Alcohol Coalition, volunteers with the Make a Wish Foundation, is a past president and current member of the First Judicial Law Enforcement Association, volunteers with Fiesta Forces, is a committee member of the Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival, and works closely with neighborhood associations and Crime Watch groups.
Chief Lyter can be reach by phone at (850) 435 – 1855 or via email at Tlyter@cityofpensacola.com.