Pensacola Police Chief Eric Randall resigns
Mayor D.C. Reeves named Capt. Kristin Brown as acting chief of police. Capt. Erik Goss is currently serving as acting deputy chief while Deputy Chief Kevin Christman is on medical leave.
Brown is a 29-year veteran of the department and the longest-tenured captain on the force.
The News Journal reached out to Randall who said he did not have a comment on his resignation at this time.
Homegrown: Eric Randall served hometown of Pensacola
A Pensacola native, Randall returned to Pensacola and was sworn in as Pensacola's police chief in 2021 following the city council's unanimous confirmation.
After graduating from Washington High School in 1991, Randall joined the U.S. Navy. Following his military service, he joined the Newport News Police Department in 1998 and worked his way up the ranks in that department.
Former Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson selected Randall as the city's next chief. Randall accepted and left the Newport News police to return to his childhood home.
Randall took the helm at a crucial time for local law enforcement agencies as the deadly force by officers was put under a microscope in the aftermath of law enforcement officer killings of civilians such as George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.
During his swearing in ceremony, Randall spoke on the importance of building trust between Pensacola citizens and the police department at the ceremony Monday.
"It is important that we trust each other, and we continue the great work being done building trust in our community. It is imperative that our community trust us, our integrity must never be brought into question," he said.
Randall was one of eight finalists during nationwide chief search
The search for a new Pensacola Police Department chief began at the end of 2020 after then-Chief Tommi Lyter stepped down to take a job as chief deputy under Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons.
Pensacola hired Public Sector Search & Consulting Inc. to conduct a nationwide search for Lyter's replacement. The search resulted in the selection of eight final candidates, who then were ranked by a city selection committee. The top three candidates chosen by the committee participated in a public candidate forum as well as interviews with city officials.
Eric Randall prioritized curbing gun violence and violent crime in Pensacola
Just weeks into his tenure as chief in 2021, Randall told the News Journal the level of gun violence in the city was "unacceptable," making it his No. 1 priority as leader of the department.
By 2023, the city had seen roughly a 4% decrease overall in crime, and as much as a 10% decrease in violent crime.
"We saw a reduction in 2021 when I was here for a half year and then a full year in 2022," Randall said.
Randall also oversaw the department's partnership with the Escambia County Sheriff's Office implementing ShotSpotter, an automated gunshot detection system, throughout the city and county.
Eric Randall believed community outreach was key to policing efforts
Randall's efforts to better the department's community footprint included the addition of dedicated officers downtown to maintain foot patrols.
Two years after Randall's swearing in, the city council approved the request to add two more dedicated police officers downtown.
"This is designed in principle and purpose to be able to have high visibility in the CRA district, so the officers can be engaging, creating the relationships, empowering the community and problem-solving," Randall said.
The department also hired two mental health experts to help residents in crisis alongside officers.
Eric Randall awarded 2025 Trailblazer Award
During the ninth annual Trailblazer awards in February, Randall was given its top award − the 2025 Trailblazer award − for his contributions to Pensacola and public safety.
The awards are presented by the Epps Christian Center in partnership with the Kukua Institute.
"What we do in law enforcement is a calling,'' Randall said. "I don't do it for recognition. I do it because I deeply care about this community."
Interim chief to be introduced Tuesday
Acting Chief of Police Kristin Brown is expected to be formally introduced to the community on Tuesday during Mayor Reeves' weekly press conference.
This is a developing story. Check back later for more details.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola Police Chief Eric Randall resigns
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