ABOUT US

OVERVIEW

The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is located in beautiful Pensacola, Florida. Currently, the Sheriff’s Office employs over 650 employees who serve nearly 300,000 citizens across Escambia County.

OUR MISSION

The mission of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is to improve the quality of life and protect the property of all individuals in Escambia County by providing responsible, effective and efficient law enforcement services to prevent crime and enforce the law with integrity and fairness.

ECSO Cadet with citizen and three children

SHERIFF CHIP SIMMONS

Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons has been in the field of law enforcement for more than 30 years.

He previously served as Chief Deputy for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, assistant county administrator for Escambia County, and as police chief for the Pensacola Police Department before retiring from the police department in August 2015. He began his law enforcement career in 1984 as a corrections officer for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and was hired by the Pensacola Police Department as an officer in 1986. His assignments have included Patrol, Investigations, Narcotics and SWAT.

Sheriff Simmons has received numerous department awards in recognition of his service to the community, including a Bronze Cross and the Gold Medal of Valor, which is the department’s highest award for heroism. He also has been named to the Police and Firefighters Heroes Hall of Fame, the Pine Forest High School Alumni Hall of Fame, and received the Volunteer of the Year and Sports Lifetime Achievement awards from the Emerald Coast Youth Sports Association. In 2013, he received the Mayor’s Leadership Award for the city of Pensacola.

The Pine Forest High School graduate holds an Associate of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Pensacola Junior College, a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Troy State University, and a Master of Public Administration degree from Troy State University. He also graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA.

Sheriff Simmons has had memberships on the Statewide Terrorist Network Group, Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, U.S. Customs Blue Lightning Strike Force, Favor House Board of Directors, Ronald McDonald House Board of Directors, and is currently on the Board of Trustees for Pensacola State College. He was a member of Leadership Pensacola class of 2004.

CHIEF DEPUTY TOMMI LYTER

Uniform Services

Chief Deputy Tommi Lyter is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Sheriff’s Office. Chief Deputy Lyter came to the ECSO with more than 30-years of law enforcement experience, a master’s degree in public administration and is a graduate from the FBI Academy. During his time at the Pensacola Police Department he served on the K9 team, SWAT team, Street Crimes and Investigation Units, he was a Field Training Officer (FTO), and a member of the Dive Team. In 2015, Lyter served as the Assistant Police Chief at the Pensacola Police Department. In May of 2017, he was appointed Chief of Police by then Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward. Deputy Chief Lyter took over the role of Chief Deputy on January 5th, 2021.

CHIEF DEPUTY ANDREW HOBBS

Administration

Commander Hobbs

Chief Deputy Andrew Hobbs is a career law enforcement officer with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Chief Hobbs currently supervises the Administration Division. The Administration Division currently encompasses: Human Resources, Recruiting, Finance, Risk Management, Information Systems, Records, Public Information Office, Crime Stoppers, Training, Law Enforcement Academy, Accreditation, Civil, School Resource, Court Security, Traffic, Domestic Security, and Fleet Maintenance.

Chief Hobbs began his career in 2003 and has held many different assignments within the agency. Chief Hobbs has been the agency representative for Domestic Security, hurricane preparedness, and large event coordinator throughout his career.

Chief Hobbs has a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration. He is a graduate of the National Command and Staff College and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Leadership Academy Class 21. Chief Hobbs is a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, class 282. Chief Hobbs was selected as an In Weekly “Rising Star” in 2015 and is a member of Leadership Pensacola Class of 2018. Chief Hobbs currently serves on the Board of Directors for Manna Food Pantries, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Mr. Robbins’ Neighborhood, Covenant Care Foundation, and the Escambia County Sheriff Foundation nonprofit organizations.

COMMAND STAFF

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COMMANDER MARK JACKSON

Investigations

Commander Mark Jackson began his career with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in 1994. He has worked in various assignments including Patrol, Narcotics, and Investigations. Commander Jackson has extensive supervisory experience as a Sergeant and Lieutenant in Patrol, Investigations, and Narcotics. He was selected for the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team in 1997 and was appointed the SWAT team commander in 2005. He is a FBI-LEEDA Leadership Trilogy Recipient and graduate of the 2017 Florida Sheriffs Association Commanders Academy. Currently, Commander Jackson serves over the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Unit.

COMMANDER ROBERT QUINATA

Uniformed Services

Commander Robert Quinata has been employed with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office since 1998. Although Commander Quinata spent the majority of his career assigned to the Narcotics Unit as both an investigator and supervisor, his other assignments include Patrol, Major Crimes, and SWAT. Commander Quinata has attended numerous command and leadership courses to include the Florida Leadership Academy (Class 27) and he is a recipient of the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Award. Commander Quinata currently serves over Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Uniformed Services and is also the agency’s SWAT Team Commander.

COMMANDER JEREMY SMALL

Administration

Commander Jeremy Small is a lifelong resident of Escambia County. Commander Small graduated from the University of West Florida, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. Commander Small is an FBI-LEEDA Leadership Trilogy award recipient. Commander Small has been employed with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office since 1995. Commander Small has risen through the ranks, being promoted to Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Colonel, and Commander. Commander Small has worked in several divisions within the agency to include: Patrol, Community Policing, Canine, Air Unit, TAC, Investigations, Administration, and School Resource. Commander Small currently supervises the Administration Division.

COLONEL RONALD ROSS

Uniformed Services

Colonel Ronald Ross has worked for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office since 2002. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from the University of West Florida. Colonel Ross previously served in U.S. Marine Corps. He has been assigned to Patrol, Investigations, Narcotics, and SWAT. Colonel Ross has held supervisory positions in Patrol, Narcotics, and Investigations. Colonel Ross is currently assigned as the AOIC of the Uniformed Services.

COLONEL MINDY VON ANSBACH YOUNG

Administration

Colonel Mindy Von Ansbach Young has been employed with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office since 1999. Colonel Von Ansbach Young is currently the Officer-In-Charge of School Resource Officers, Court Security, Fleet Maintenance, Extra Duty, and Civil. She is the Team Commander of the Crisis Negotiations Team and is the Crisis Intervention Team coordinator for the agency. She was promoted to Sergeant in 2010, Lieutenant in 2014, Captain in 2017, and Colonel in 2018. Colonel Von Ansbach Young’s assignments included Patrol, Narcotics, Field Training Office, Accreditation, Court Services, and Training where she served as the Sergeant over the Field Training Program. Colonel Von Ansbach Young graduated Summa Cum Laude from Troy University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Colonel Von Ansbach Young has attended numerous command and leadership courses to include the Florida Leadership Academy and she is a recipient of the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Award.

COLONEL DAVID INGRAM

Forensic Services

Colonel David Ingram is a law enforcement veteran with over 17 years of service. He is currently assigned to and in charge of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Services, Intel, Missing Persons, and Cold Case Units. Colonel Ingram holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Columbia Southern University and an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from Davidson County Community College, NC. Colonel Ingram started his law enforcement career while enlisted in the United States Navy. He served in uniform patrol for two previous agencies prior to joining the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. He has served as a patrol deputy for uniform services, an investigator in Economic Crimes Unit, Escambia County Emergency Operation Center Liaison and Lead, Uniform Patrol Sergeant, and a sergeant assigned to Investigations over the Evidence Unit. He has over nine years of service serving on the Hazardous Materials Law Enforcement Response Team (Rapid Response Team). Since September 2016, he has been a member of the Property and Evidence Association of Florida (P.E.A.F.) and is P.E.A.F. certified. He has completed his Firearm Specialist Certification, FBI LEEDA Supervisor and Executive courses, and is a graduate of the Florida Leadership Academy. In 2019, Colonel Ingram attended and completed the National Command and Staff College (NCSC), session 004 and received the Magnus Award. In 2020, Colonel Ingram completed a Master of Science in Public Administration with a Concentration in Criminal Justice Administration from Columbia Southern University.

COLONEL DAWN JANES

Administration

Colonel Dawn Janes began her law enforcement career with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in 2000. Colonel Janes served in the Uniform Patrol Division as a patrol deputy for 11 years and was a Field Training Officer during that time. In 2011, she was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and served in Patrol, School Resource Division and the Special Victim’s Unit. Colonel Janes was promoted to Captain in 2018, Major in 2020 and Colonel in 2021. She is a FBI-LEEDA Leadership Trilogy Recipient and graduate of the Florida Sheriff’s Association Commanders Academy Class 8. Colonel Janes is currently in charge of the following units in the Administration Division, School Resource, Court Security, Civil Enforcement, Criminal Records, Publics Records and Information Systems.

COLONEL MICHAEL GILMORE

Criminal Investigations

Colonel Michael Gilmore is law enforcement veteran with more than 20 years of service and lifelong Florida Panhandle resident. In Colonel Gilmore’s career, he has served as a patrol deputy, K-9 handler, narcotics officer, warrants officer, and US Marshal Service Fugitive Task Force agent. He has also served as the Sergeant assigned to the multi-agency Gun Crime Response Team & Gang Unit; as well as, the Lieutenant assigned to the Robbery/Homicide and Special Victims Units. Colonel Gilmore is a graduate of the FBI-LEEDA’s 256th Supervisor Leadership Institute for Law Enforcement Executives, 202nd Command Institute for Law Enforcement Executives, and the 168th Executive Leadership Institute for Law Enforcement Executives. He is also a recipient of the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Award.

COLONEL THOMAS KELLY

Uniformed Services

Colonel Thomas Kelly is a former United States Marine and Corrections Officer who began his career with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in 1999. He has worked in various assignments to include Patrol, Field Training, Narcotics, Investigations, and SWAT. Colonel Kelly has held supervisory positions in Patrol, Field Training, Narcotics, and Investigations and has attended numerous leadership and management courses. Colonel Kelly is a recipient of the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Award and is currently serving in the Administration Division.

COLONEL JEREMY SMALL

Uniformed Services

Colonel Jeremy Small is a lifelong resident of Escambia County. Captain Small graduated from the University of West Florida, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting in 1992. Colonel Small is an FBI-LEEDA Leadership Trilogy award recipient. Colonel Small has been employed with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office since 1995. Colonel Small has risen through the ranks, being promoted to Sergeant, Lieutenant, and is currently a Colonel. Colonel Small has worked in several divisions within the agency to include: Patrol, Community Policing, Canine, Air Unit, TAC, Investigations, Administration, and School Resource. Colonel Small currently supervises the Training Division, Fleet Services, and Home Land Security.

COUNSELOR DEBRA LITTLE

General Counsel

Debra Little served in the U.S. Navy from 1995-2002. She graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and earned a Juris Doctor “law” degree from Shepard Board Law Center, Nova Southeastern in 2004. After graduating law school, she began her legal career locally at the Office of the Public Defender, First Judicial Circuit. Debra was an assistant public defender for one year until leaving for private practice. In 2013, Debra returned to full-time public service as an Assistant General Counsel for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. In 2016, Debra was promoted to General Counsel where she currently provides legal advice and counsel to the Sheriff, Sheriff’s Office command staff, and employees in a variety of legal areas, including (but not limited to) the duties, responsibilities, and authority of the Sheriff; criminal law; constitutional law; public records law; and labor and employment law. Debra also conducts forfeiture litigation, reviews and drafts contracts and mutual aid agreements, and provides legal updates on case law and new legislation.

The General Counsel is not a legal advisor for the general public.

LAURA YOUNG

Assistant General Counsel

Laura Young joined the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office as Assistant General Counsel in 2019. Ms. Young graduated Magna Cum Laude from Tulane University Law School in 2012 and received her Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from the University of Florida in 2008. A member of the Florida Bar since 2012, she previously served as an Assistant State Attorney in Escambia County. As an ASA, she litigated hundreds of criminal cases in County and Circuit Court. Laura’s exceptional work as an Assistant State Attorney lead to her being recruited to join the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. As Assistant General Counsel, Laura litigates forfeiture proceedings and employment arbitrations. She also advises ECSO on criminal and local government law.

HENRIQUE DIAS

Chief Financial Officer

Henrique Dias became the chief financial officer for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in 1998. He has more than 30 years of experience in accounting and finance. Henrique completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from New York University.

MORGAN LEWIS

Public Relations

You can connect with the Public Information Office by emailing pio@escambiaso.com.

DAWN BRAZWELL

Human Resources Director

Dawn Brazwell has been the Human Resource Director with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office since 2011. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management from Troy University. She has over 30 years of experience in Human Resources, Administration and Management. She began her career in the private sector in the automotive supply industry working for several OEM suppliers both locally and nationally. She holds Human Resource certifications of SHRM-CP and PHR and is a recipient of the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Award. She is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management and also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Pensacola Habitat for Humanity.