Mayor DC Reeves announced late Tuesday afternoon that he has selected Eric Winstrom to serve as Pensacola’s next Police Chief, choosing an outside candidate over internal favorite Erik Goss in what the mayor acknowledged would be a “disappointment” to some within the department.
- Details: Winstrom will meet with Pensacola Police Department command staff this morning before a 10 a.m. media availability at Hagler-Mason Room in City Hall. His first official day is scheduled for March 2, pending Pensacola City Council approval. Acting Chief Kristin Brown will transition to Deputy Chief during the changeover.
Mayor Defends Outside Hire Decision
In an internal email to PPD personnel, Reeves defended his decision to look outside the department, citing a “unique transition” following last year’s leadership change and Deputy Chief Kevin Christman’s unexpected retirement.
- “That gap now creates opportunities for PPD to bolster our depth of leadership and prepare the next generation of Chiefs and Deputy Chiefs,” Reeves wrote.
The mayor was direct in addressing the disappointment around Goss, whom the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #71 had endorsed. “Erik is a credit to this badge. I want to be clear: I fully expect to see him serve as Chief of this department in the future,” Reeves stated. “He is a cornerstone of our agency, and his leadership will remain essential as we move forward.”
Winstrom’s Experience Cited
Defending his choice, Reeves stated Winstrom “brings immense experience leading a police department” with “proven results building a team – and specifically doing so as an external hire.”
- The mayor highlighted Winstrom’s experience “navigating tragedy and complex legal challenges” and his track record of “coming to a new city as Chief and building a successful culture by listening to the officers on the ground.”
Clear Expectations, Warning Against Resistance
The mayor made clear his expectations: Winstrom must “meet you where you are” and “earn your trust” while providing “clarity and foster a healthy, communicative culture.”
- Reeves also issued a warning against internal resistance: “While I expect us to move forward with professionalism, I want to be clear that we cannot afford the distraction of undermining this mission at any level. If we see it, we will address it quickly.”
MEMO
From: DC Reeves
Sent: Tuesday, February 3, 2026 3:59 PM
To: Police
Subject: Police Chief Update
To the Men and Women of the Pensacola Police Department,
Since my first day as Mayor, my commitment to you has remained steadfast. Whether it has been advocating for the equipment you need or much-deserved pay increases, I have always sought to have your back—because I know you always have the city’s.
I am writing to you today to announce my decision for the next Chief of Police. After a long, public-facing, and complex process, I have selected Eric Winstrom to lead PPD.
Chief Winstrom will be in Pensacola tomorrow. He will first meet with command staff and tour the building to introduce himself to anyone at PPD on Wednesday morning before meeting with the media at 10 a.m. at Hagler-Mason in City Hall. Anyone is welcome to attend. Pending City Council approval, his first official day will be March 2. Acting Chief Kristin Brown will assume the role of Deputy Chief during the transition.
I know that for some, this news comes with a sense of disappointment because of the desire to choose an internal candidate. I believe, as a general principle, that internal promotion is the most expedient way to run an organization. In fact, it is my sincere hope and expectation that the next 20 candidates for Chief of Police come from within the Pensacola Police Department. There is no greater sign of high performance and clarity of mission. The idea that there is no upward mobility here is a myth I intend to dismantle.
We are in the middle of a unique transition right now. My decision to change PPD leadership last year was fueled by your feedback and desire to reshape the culture. That change, coupled with Deputy Chief Kevin Christman’s unexpected retirement, left a gap in organizational leadership experience. That gap now creates opportunities for PPD to bolster our depth of leadership and prepare the next generation of Chiefs and Deputy Chiefs.
Eric Winstrom brings immense experience leading a police department. He has proven results building a team – and specifically doing so as an external hire. That body of work includes not just day-to-day operational improvement, but excellence in navigating tragedy and complex legal challenges. Just as important, he has experience coming to a new city as Chief and building a successful culture by listening to the officers on the ground. Throughout this process I have made it clear to Chief Winstrom – and he is completely aligned – that my expectation is for him to meet you where you are. He understands the obligation to earn your trust, and he is committed to doing so. He also knows my non-negotiable expectation is to provide clarity and foster a healthy, communicative culture in our department.
This decision was made even more difficult because of the immense respect I have for Erik Goss. Erik is a credit to this badge. I want to be clear: I fully expect to see him serve as Chief of this department in the future. He is a cornerstone of our agency, and his leadership will remain essential as we move forward. To no one’s surprise, Erik has been a consummate professional throughout this process; we remain aligned in our goal of focusing our work on Pensacola first and foremost.
Chief Winstrom is not just moving for a job; he is moving for a home. He is bringing his wife, their 14-year-old son, and their 12-year-old daughter to become part of our community. I am asking you to be the community I know you are: To meet this change with open minds and open hearts. Our goal is the safety of Pensacola, and that requires a united front. While I expect us to move forward with professionalism, I want to be clear that we cannot afford the distraction of undermining this mission at any level. If we see it, we will address it quickly, because the work you do is too important to be compromised.
I have not wavered in my support for you. That will continue as long as I’m here, and beyond my time as Mayor. Our primary mission is to build the premier law enforcement agency in the country. I am confident that the foundation we are laying today will ensure that the future of this department belongs to the people already wearing the PPD uniform.
Thank you for your service, your sacrifice, and your continued professionalism.
Sincerely,
D.C. Reeves
Mayor
