Eric Randall has been selected by Mayor Grover Robinson as the next Chief of Police for the Pensacola Police Department, after a nationwide search, public participation and thorough review by the selection committee and mayor.
The selection is expected to go before City Council for affirmation at the May 13 City Council meeting. Randall’s tentative start date is Monday, June 14.
“We were fortunate to have multiple highly qualified, standout candidates interested in becoming our next Chief of Police, but ultimately, Eric Randall’s experience and vision made him the best fit for the City of Pensacola,” Mayor Grover Robinson said. “We are looking forward to having his leadership and expertise at the Pensacola Police Department, along with his sincere dedication to serving and connecting with the Pensacola community.”
Randall, who currently serves as the Assistant Chief of Police at Newport News Police Department in Virginia, was selected from a group of three finalists after two rounds of interviews, a one-on-one meeting with Mayor Robinson and a public candidate forum.
The two other finalists were Booker Hodges, Assistant Commissioner of Law Enforcement for the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, and John Ortolano, Chief of Police in Hobbs, New Mexico. The three finalists were selected from a pool of eight semifinalists after the first round of interviews with the selection committee.
“I am so excited to be selected as the Chief of Police for the Pensacola Police Department. I cannot wait to get back to Pensacola,” Randall said. “It is such an honor to get to come home and serve my community at this capacity.”
The Pensacola Police Chief Selection Committee consists of the following members:
City Administrator Keith Wilkins
Deputy City Administrator Kerrith Fiddler
Human Resources Director Ted Kirchharr
Pensacola Fire Department Chief Ginny Cranor
City Attorney Susan Woolf
Eric Randall’s Bio
Eric Randall
Eric Randall
Assistant Chief Randall began his career with Newport News Police Department in 1998 as an auxiliary officer. In February 2000, he became a full-time officer where he worked as a patrol officer, bike officer, field training officer, narcotics detective, and explosive breacher on the department’s tactical operations unit.
In 2006, Assistant Chief Randall was promoted to Sergeant where he 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, Assistant Chief Randall was promoted to Lieutenant. As a Lieutenant, he served in a variety of assignments to include 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.
On August 14, 2017, he was promoted to Assistant Chief of Police and serves as the Investigations Bureau Commander.
Assistant Chief Randall earned both a MS and BA in Criminal Justice from Saint Leo University. He is a graduate of the 63rd session of the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) – Senior Management Institute for Police. During his law enforcement career, Assistant Chief Randall has received numerous awards and commendations to include the two Life Saving Awards, 2014 Homeless Outreach Collaborative Team Outstanding Community Service Award, 2012 William F. Corvello Leadership Award, 2010 United States Attorney Public Service Award, 2009 Federal Bureau of Investigation Top Gang Investigation, NOBLE Criminal Justice Achievement Award, and the United States Attorney Award for Excellence in Management.
