Simmons seeking to continue career

Running for Escambia County (Fla.) sheriff

With 34 years of serving the citizens of Pensacola and the county, Chip Simmons is looking to add a new chapter to his life by running for sheriff of Escambia County, Fla.

Simmons, 56, is seeking the Republican nomination and currently has no opposition on the GOP ticket.

"I've dedicated my entire adult life to law enforcement," Simmons said. "I want to continue to serve every family in Escambia County and want to make the county the safest place to live."

Simmons was born on a military base in Keflivik, Iceland, and his parents relocated to Pensacola in 1971. He attended Bellview Elementary School and Bellview Middle School before graduating from Pine Forest High School.

Simmons graduated from Pensacola Junior College with a degree in criminal justice before receiving his bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Troy State University.

In continuing his education, Simmons received his master's degree in public administration from Troy State and graduated from the FBI National Academy.

He began his law enforcement career in 1984 with the Escambia County Sheriff's Office. He served as correctional officer until moving to the Pensacola Police Department in 1986.

While at the police department he was assigned to various specialized units that included the tactical unit, investigations unit, narcotics unit and the SWAT team.

Simmons moved up the ranks and served as assistant chief for six years and was later appointed chief of police.

After being selected chief of police, Simmons set out to attain statewide accreditation for the first time in the department's history. He brought about the region's first law enforcement body camera program in an effort to bring more transparency to local law enforcement. Under his leadership the Pensacola Police Department implemented may community-based programs designed to better the relationships with the community, which included Christmas gift programs, sports programs, camps and neighborhood watch programs.

He has also been involved in the community, holding board positions with the Community Drug and Alcohol Commission, Favor House of Northwest Florida, Military Affairs Committee, Ronald McDonald House, Lakeview Center, Manna Food Pantry, Achieve Escambia and Pensacola State College's board of trustees. He is also a member of the 2004 Leadership Pensacola class.

After retiring as Pensacola's police chief, Simmons joined Escambia County as assistant county administrator. The position placed him over public safety, corrections, inspections and facilities. He was also the board appointed chief corrections officer of the county.

Simmons returned to law enforcement in December, 2016, as chief deputy for the sheriff's office.

Simmons said he has a simple goal as sheriff – to make the community safe.

"The north end of the county is not much different than other areas," he said. "Everybody has the same problems – drug trafficking and drug dealers. I want to work with other agencies in other areas to combat this."

Simmons also said his goal is to reopen the sheriff's office precincts in Walnut Hill and Cantonment.

"I want to look at opening all precincts that were once open and reengage those communities," he said.

He said he wants to make huge strides in enforcement and community involvement.