Fort Walton Beach police chief discusses appointment to Florida's State Board of Immigration Council
FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. (WKRG) — Local law enforcement and state leaders are coming together to combat illegal immigration in the state of Florida.
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This month, the Florida Legislature established the State Board of Immigration Enforcement.
Fort Walton Beach Police Chief Robert Bage has been appointed to serve on its council.
'This new council is just another example how Florida is leading the nation in safety and security in our community,' Bage said.
Bage said the council will advise Governor Ron DeSantis and his cabinet on how local law enforcement can assist in state and national efforts to crack down on illegal immigration.
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'What resources and training we'll need at the local level, and then also enhance information sharing in resources between the local state and federal level,' Bage said.
Bage, who was appointed to the council by Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, has served more than two decades in Florida law enforcement.
He also served in the United States Navy for two years, and then joined the United States Border Patrol for a year before a 20-year career with the North Miami Police Department.
In 2019, Bage was appointed Chief of Police for the City of Fort Walton Beach.
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'I wanted to be on this council so I could bring those 26 years of law enforcement experience and I can bring my community policing skills that I've developed, to ensure that this is done in the best way possible to ensure the safety of our community,' Bage said.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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