Fort Walton Beach police chief selected to State Immigration Enforcement Council
FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. (WKRG) — Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis appointed Fort Walton Beach Police Chief Robert Bage to the State Immigration Enforcement Council.
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The council was established this month to combat illegal immigration in Florida. It advises the new State Board of Immigration Enforcement that Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet lead.
'I'm pleased to appoint Fort Walton Beach Police Chief Robert Bage to serve on the State Immigration Enforcement Council,' Patronis said. 'Before serving nearly 30 years in Florida law enforcement, Chief Bage served two years in the United States Navy and has great experience protecting America's borders from illegal immigration from his time with the United States Border Patrol. During his tenure with the Fort Walton Beach Police Department, Chief Bage reformed and grew the Department to be more effective at serving the local community. For these reasons and more, I believe Chief Bage will serve as a fine addition to the State Immigration Enforcement Council, and I wish him the best of luck.'
Bage worked for the United States Border Patrol for a year before returning to law enforcement. He's been the Fort Walton Beach police chief since 2019.
'Thanks to CFO Jimmy Patronis on appointing Chief Robert Bage to the State Immigration Enforcement Council,' Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden said. 'Chief Bage's years of law enforcement experience make him an excellent choice to serve on this Council. I have every confidence that Chief Bage's contributions to the Council will help keep our borders secure and Floridians safe from criminal illegal aliens. As Sheriff of Okaloosa County, I look forward to working with this team to ensure Florida residents remain safe.'
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Bage serves as first Vice President of the Florida Police Chief's Association. He is also involved with the Okaloosa Health Department, Advanced Sacred Hope Academy and Fort Walton Beach Rotary.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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