Eric D.

Randall
116 Grandville Arch
Smithfield, VA. 23430
March 6, 2021

Grover C. Robinson IV
Mayor
City of Pensacola
222 W. Main St.
Seventh Floor of City Hall
Pensacola, FL 32502

Dear Mayor Robinson:

It is with great excitement that I am submitting this letter expressing my

interest in the Chief of Police position for the City of Pensacola, Florida. I was born
and raised in Pensacola and I’m a graduate of Booker T. Washington High school
class of 1991. My family still resides in the city so, I have vested interest ensuring
that the Police Department is successful in making Pensacola a place where
citizens, business owners, and visitors can feel safe working, playing, raising a
family and enjoying all the amenities the city and region has to offer.

I am currently employed with the Newport News, Virginia Police Department

as an Assistant Chief of Police, commanding the Investigations Bureau. My
current position is the culmination of a 23-year career in law enforcement. I am
well versed in 21st Century Policing strategies, CALEA accreditation process,
community policing, law enforcement procedures, administrative duties, local
government budgeting, criminal investigations, patrol operations, and I have an
extensive leadership history.

Throughout my career, I have gained valuable knowledge and experience

that has prepared me to succeed as a Chief of Police. My interpersonal, and
communication (oral and written) skills are impeccable and truly an asset when
establishing partnerships with the community, other local, state and federal law
enforcement agencies, interacting with the media, as well as public and private
stakeholders. I have considerable experience in community policing, intelligence
led policing, and experience with the Commission on Accreditation for Law
Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) accreditation process.

I have attended and successfully completed various training and leadership

development programs in the law enforcement profession such as the Senior
Management Institute for Police (PERF), National Incident Management System,
Critical Incident Response for Supervisors and Managers, Leadership
Development Course, Investigative Round Table for Organized Crime, and the FBI
Basic Crisis Negotiation Course. I am a 2007 graduate of the Virginia Police
Chief’s Foundation, Institute for Leadership in Changing Times. I am also a 2015
Eric Randall Chief of Police Page 2 March 9, 2021

graduate of Saint Leo University’s Command Officer Management Program. I have

a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Saint Leo University.

During my law enforcement career, I have received numerous awards and

commendations to include the 2017 Outstanding Community Service Award from
the Newport News Downtown Merchants Association, 2014 Homeless Outreach
Collaborative Team (HOTC) Outstanding Community Service Award, 2012 William
F. Corvello Leadership Award, 2010 United States Attorney Public Service Award,
2010 Federal bureau of Investigation Director’s Commendation, 2009 Federal
Bureau of Investigation Top Gang Investigation, and 2009 Department of Justice
Top Gang Investigation. In 2009, I was the recipient of the NOBLE Criminal Justice
Achievement Award, and the United States Attorney Award for Excellence in
Management. I am the recipient of two department lifesaving medals and one
Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police lifesaving medal.

I am confident that my leadership skills and expertise as a law enforcement

professional uniquely qualifies me for this position. My resume is enclosed to
provide you with additional information regarding my background and
qualifications.

I thank you in advance for the opportunity to discuss my qualifications and

interview for this position. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions
or need additional information.

Sincerely,

Eric D. Randall
 Eric D. Randall
116 Grandville Arch
Smithfield, Virginia 23430
757-810-2673
randalled761@outlook.com

Professional Summary
Twenty-three years of diverse law enforcement experience in the City of Newport News, Virginia
(population 180,000), with emphasis on leadership, community policing, patrol operations,
narcotics investigations, specialty units, training, tactical operations, and personnel development.
Displays a dynamic ability to perform as an effective team leader, as well as a great motivator with
the ability to inspire and stimulate team members to perform at the highest levels of achievement.
Newport News Police department is comprised of 640 employees. The department has 465 sworn
officers and 175 civilian personnel.

Skills and expertise include:

• Progressive and inspirational leader

• Highly committed to community policing principles
• Innovative in approaches to youth engagement
• Desire for problem solving
• Extremely effective communicator
• Dynamic leader with a visionary approach to leadership
• Excels in strategic planning for complex operations

Work Experience
Assistant Chief of Police, 2019-Present – Investigations Bureau
Newport News Police Department – Newport News, VA

• Serves as Acting Chief of Police in the absence of Chief of Police.

• Responsible for oversight and management of over 100 sworn and civilian personnel
assigned to the Major Crimes, Special Investigations and Community Youth Outreach
divisions.
• Excels as a principal leader within the agency charged with providing critical leadership
for the police department and the community.
• Increased homicide clearance rates by 20% to exceed the national average.
• Exceeded national clearance rates in violent crime case clearances.
• Reorganized departments response to violent crime by creating a unit to focus on
aggravated assaults.
• Implemented ShotSpotter Gunshot detection system.
• Global thinker who fosters an innovative work environment to highlight employee diverse
talents.
• Developed internal policies and procedures that improved department response to gun
violence.
• Designed an innovative response program to enhance department response to domestic
violence by instituting civilian specialist to work alongside law enforcement to proactively
reduce incidents of domestic abuse.
• Implementing a Real Time Crime Center and Intelligence Unit in 2021.
 Eric D. Randall
• Enhanced the city’s surveillance camera operational footprint by collaborating with the
budget and evaluation department on Capital Improvement infrastructure needs.
• Effectively develop individual and departmental goals to support and promote high
performance strategies to meet organizational needs, vision and values.
• Provides critical leadership and strategic focus for priorities to meet City, department, and
community needs.
• Displays strong personnel commitment to successfully plan, organize and coordinate
complex project activities.
• Critical thinker who is skilled in the implementation of modern law enforcement concepts
based on national trend analysis; evaluates strategies, assesses outcomes and makes
recommendations to city leadership with respect to the public safety concerns.
• Synergistic leader who excels at promoting innovation and critical thinking in developing
holistic solutions to department and community issues.
• Serve as Bureau Commander responsible for effective employee relations, diversity and
development.
• Implemented youth programs to improve effectiveness of communication with the
community on a variety of topics.
• Exceptional ability to establish effective relationships with community stakeholders and
the media; Thrives to personally meet with community groups to represent the city at
various meetings and functions.
• Serves on the Hampton Roads High Intensity Drug Traffic Area (HIDTA) Command
Group.
• Serves on the Hampton Road Human Trafficking Task Force Executive Committee.
• Collaborated with Human Services department to implement Human Services liaison
program at police department.

Assistant Chief of Police, 2017-2019 – Administration Bureau

Newport News Police Department – Newport News, VA

• Served as Acting Chief of Police in the absence of Chief of Police.

• Responsible for oversight and management of over 90 sworn and civilian personnel
assigned to the Administration Bureau comprised of Fiscal Services, Planning, Information
Technology, Emergency Communications, Recruiting, Training, Public Information, and
Internal Affairs.
• Exceled as a principal leader within the agency charged with providing critical leadership
for the police department and the community.
• Dynamic leader that achieves optimal levels of personal performance in developing and
administering department wide programs and systems.
• Created a police division with a sole focus on youth and community engagement and
programs.
• Helped reduce department overtime spending in Fiscal year 2018.
• Implemented new police fleet replacement protocol by incorporating a shared leadership
approach to purchasing and upfitting vehicles.
• Serve as Bureau Commander responsible for effective employee relations, diversity, and
development.
• Experienced in management and oversight of the police department’s $50,000,000 budget;
diligently monitored budget ensuring that purchasing and financial transactions are

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 Eric D. Randall
administered in accordance with department and local government administrative policies
and procedures.
• Oversaw the City’s Emergency Communications 911 Center responsible for all public
safety communications for Police, Fire, and EMS.
• Effectively coordinated new 911 telephone system upgrade to Motorola Vesta System.
• Integrated tactical dispatching program.
• Coordinated radio integration with federal partners (DEA, FBI).

Police Captain, 2014-2017

Newport News Police Department – Newport News, VA

• Served as Acting Assistant Chief of Patrol Bureau in absence of Assistant Chief of Patrol
Bureau.
• Served as Precinct Commander, responsible for oversight and management of over 90
police personnel.
• Effective utilization of community policing strategies; ability to employ problem solving
techniques with a strategic focus.
• Achieved optimal levels of personnel performance to help reduce crime while continually
examining operational and administrative effectiveness of personnel and processes.
• Maintained an impeccable relationship with Federal, State, and local law enforcement
partners; excellent communicator who encourages a free exchange of ideas.
• Effectively implemented plans with harmony and collaboration.
• Serves as Incident Commander at critical incidents in the community.
• Review and Approved complex special operations, planned patrol operations and
functions.
• Knowledgeable of current local and national trends in policing; developed problem-solving
strategies to successfully intervene and prevent further criminal acts.
• Possesses sound judgment in monitoring and assessing budgetary needs.
• Fostered an environment of developing creative solutions to challenging problems, while
exceling in seeking solutions.

Police Lieutenant, 2010-2014

Newport News Police Department – Newport News, VA

• Served as Acting Criminal Investigations Commander, responsible for oversight of over

50 personnel; responsible for the oversight and management of all criminal investigations.
• Served as Acting Precinct Commander, responsible for oversight of over 100 officers and
detectives.
• Served as Precinct Watch Commander, responsible for oversight and management of over
30 officers and detectives.
• Responsible for the oversight and management of forensic services.
• Managed personnel allocation.
• Headed management of critical incidents to include the overall supervision of shift
incidents.

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 Eric D. Randall
• Served as Incident Commander at critical incidents in the community.
• Knowledgeable of current trends and problems within assigned patrol sectors.
• Developed problem solving strategies to successfully intervene and prevent further
criminal acts.
• Formulated detail oriented reports for investigative steps and measures taken within the
investigative scope.
• Commanded numerous critical incidents to include hostage rescue and barricaded subjects.
• Coordinated multi-agency events.
• Wrote several new Standard Operating Procedures.
• Redesigned the command inventory control system.

Police Sergeant, 2006-2010

Newport News Police Department – Newport News, VA

• Commanded Federal Bureau of Investigation Top Gang Investigation (Dump Squad

Investigation).
• Managed four federal task forces, where cases are prosecuted in Federal court; coordinated
Title III Wire Intercept with multiple agencies, supervised the investigation of over 30 cold
case homicides, supervised the investigation of multiple drug trafficking organizations.
• Served as Acting Special Investigation Section Commander.
• Supervised the investigations of the city’s most violent offenders.
• Coordinated with multiple federal agencies.
• Planned and coordinated major narcotics and vice operations city wide; planned and
coordinated major federal narcotics operations.
• Reviewed detectives training requests/career development, reviewed and trained detectives
on new case law.
• Drafted and reviewed changes in policies.

Police Officer – Detective, 1998-2006

Newport News Police Department – Newport News, VA

• Coordinated buy/bust and prostitution operations city wide.

• Performed supervisory tasks such as precinct monthly reports, officer evaluations, creation
of daily roster, and conducting briefings at meetings such as the bi-monthly crimes
meeting.
• Instrumental in bringing the “Conducting a Complete Traffic Stops” course to the
department, which provided patrol officers with new and improved techniques for use in
highway interdiction of illegal drugs and criminal activity.
• Served as Explosive Breacher for the Tactical Operations Unit.
• Managed the police bike patrol fleet.
• Trained numerous probationary officers as a certified Field Training Officer.
• Served on the department’s training committee.

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 Eric D. Randall
• Applied community-oriented policing concepts to precinct hot spots; promoted a working
relationship with apartment community managers in precinct hot spots.
• Implemented crime analysis into patrol beat planning; analyzed crime weekly for trends in
assigned beat.
• Composed many strategies at the precinct level for crime prevention.

United States Navy, 1991-2000

• Managed multimillion-dollar aircraft catapult service steam system overhaul which

required collaboration with Newport News Shipbuilding.
• Managed USS Enterprise CVN 65 aircraft catapult engineering systems.
• Served as Chief Auxiliaries Operator for engineering systems.
• Qualified as only Controlled Material Handler for division.
• Designated engineering expert for aircraft catapult steam systems.
• Served as Quality Control Inspector.
• Served as Division Quality Assurance Officer.
• Helped organize “USS Enterprise Helping Hands” program was honored by President
George H.W. Bush as one of his “Thousand Points of Light”.
• Participated in Clean the Bay events.
• Served as Assistant Command Duty Officer.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Saint Leo University Saint Leo, Florida
Degree: MS May 2018
Major: Criminal Justice

Saint Leo University Saint Leo, Florida

Degree: BA May 2013
Major: Criminal Justice

Saint Leo University Command Officer Management Program - April 2015

Police Executive Senior Management Institute for Police - June 2016

Research Forum Boston University

United States Navy Great Lakes, Illinois - December 1991

Engineering Systems School

Institute for Leadership in Changing Times – Virginia Police Chief’s Foundation

TEEX Enhanced All-Hazards Incident Management/Unified Command Course
TEEX Sports and Special Events Incident Management Course
U.S. Department of Justice COPs Office Procedural Justice for Law Enforcement Agencies
Investigative Round Table for Organized Crime
Tactical Explosive Breacher Course
FBI Basic Crisis Negotiation Course
FBI National Improvised Explosive and Familiarization Course
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 Eric D. Randall
Critical Incident Response for Supervisors and Managers
Bomb Making Materials Awareness Course
Drug Investigations and Motorcycle Gangs
Basic Undercover School
Basic Criminal Investigation
Field Training Officer

Professional Memberships

International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)

National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE)
Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police (VACP)
Hampton Roads Association of Chiefs of Police
Hampton Roads NOBLE Chapter Member
Hampton Roads HIDTA Command Group Member
Hampton Road Human Trafficking Task Force Executive Committee Member

SPECIALIZED SKILLS
SWAT Tactical Commander
Tactical Operations Unit Operator
Hostage Crisis Negotiator
Tactical Explosive Breacher
Field Training Officer
Firearms Instructor
General Instructor
Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (U.S. Navy)

AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

2017 Outstanding Community Service Award from Downtown Merchants Association

2014 Homeless Outreach Collaborative Team (HOTC) 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 (Dump Squad Investigation)
2009 Department of Justice Top Gang Investigation (Dump Squad Investigation)
2009 NOBLE Central Virginia Chapter Law Enforcement Achievement Award
2009 United States Attorney Excellence in Management Public Service Award
United States Navy and Marine Corp Achievement Medals
United States Navy Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
United Nations Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Newport News Police Department’s Life Saving Medal
Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police Life Saving Medal

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Eric D. Randall
116 Grandville Arch
Smithfield, VA. 23430
randalled761@outlook.com
(757) 810-2673

References:

Jim Fox
Chief of Police (Retired)
(804) 852-4911
foxjamesdouglas@aol.com

Howard Zlotnick
Managing United States Attorney
United States Attorney’s Office
721 Lakefront Commons Suite 300
Newport News, Virginia 23606
(o) 757-591-4041
(m) 757-537-7523
Howard.zlotnick@usdoj.gov

Brian Hanlon
Facility Security Officer
Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility
628 Hofstadter Road, Suite 1
Newport News, VA 23606
(o) 757-269-7548
(m) 757-593-2502
hanlon@jlab.org

Lorenzo Sheppard
Assistant Chief Special Investigations Unit (Eastern Region)
Virginia Department of Corrections
(757) 570-8968
lorenzo.sheppard@vadoc.virginia.gov

Steve Drew
Chief of Police
Newport News Police
(757) 585-0823
drewsr@nnva.gov

Morgan Tietjens
Police Captain
Newport News Police
(757) 570-8953
tietjensms@nnva.gov