“Very excited about the possibility of moving down here.”
Grand Rapids police chief Eric Winstrom is one of three finalists interviewed for the Pensacola police chief position.
“Very honored to be considered for this position.”
It is a smaller city with a smaller police department, but it is Florida and Winstrom says many people migrate to Pensacola from northern states.
“A lot of people from Michigan now reside in Pensacola.”
Winstrom served for over 20 years with the Chicago police department, and the last four as Grand Rapids police chief.
“One of the things I brought to the Grand Rapids police department, and I would bring to the city of Pensacola police department; we are going to embrace accountability.”
Accountability is why Winstrom says he released body and dash cam video that showed former officer Christopher Schurr when he shot and killed Patrick Lyoya during a 2022 traffic stop.
“I released the video. I knew it was going to be controversial. I had to prepare for the protests of individuals that were essentially protesting us we made it through and we are a better police department and better city for it.”
The acting Pensacola police chief and the former Tampa police chief are the other two finalists for the job.
“Everything I have been through in Grand Rapids; I have been through a ton of challenges. That experience translates very well. I think it certainly does uniquely qualify me for this.”
