Robert Simpson is the new chief of the Red Bank Police Department, Red Bank City Manager Randall Smith announced at the city commission’s Sept. 5 meeting. Simpson replaces former Police Chief Tim Christol, whom Smith fired for undisclosed “personnel reasons” in May.
“Robert Simpson has demonstrated outstanding leadership skills, ingenuity in developing programs, and has been task oriented in his prior roles,” Smith said in a release. “He is an excellent, experienced law enforcement professional.”
Immediately prior to his appointment in Red Bank, Simpson served as police chief for the city of South Pittsburg, Tenn., for just under two years. He previously retired from the Chattanooga Police Department, which he served for 28 years in several roles, including community relations and as a patrol officer.
“Most of that time was as a supervisor, and I really got to enjoy leading officers,” said Simpson after the Sept. 5 meeting, as to why he thinks he’s a good fit for the role of police chief in Red Bank.
Simpson, who started in the position Aug. 30, said he plans to continue meeting the high standards set for state-accredited police departments, of which Red Bank is one of few, and make any necessary improvements based on further evaluation of the department.