03-03-2025
City of Milton hires new police chief
MILTON, Fla. (WKRG) — The City of Milton has a new police chief.
According to a news release from the city, Jennifer M. Frank will step into the role in April.
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City officials said she is the first woman police chief in Northwest Florida and the 21st in Florida.
'I'm not the first female police chief—I'm just Chief,' Frank said. 'If you show up, do the work, and hold your own, gender doesn't matter. Breaking the glass ceiling is one thing, but bringing others with you is what truly matters.'
Frank has served 19 years in law enforcement including tenures with Plymouth State Police, Norwich Police Department and Windsor Police Department. She was most recently the Windsor Police Chief in Vermont where she came up with 'community driven policing strategies that reduced violent crime calls by 50%,' according to Milton officials.
The Windsor Police Department also received the National Leadership in Community Policing Award in 2023 under Frank.
Frank's career has included traditional policing and even presidential security details for public figures such as President George W. Bush, President Bill Clinton, President Joe Biden, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, New York Governor George Pataki, and presidential candidates Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani.
Frank was a teacher before becoming an officer. She once had to disarm a student she mentored when he entered the classroom with a 9mm gun.
She emphasizes staying connected with the community and working with the next generation as she launched a cadet program in 2008 and has mentored at-risk youth over the last 16 years.
'We've had kids enter the program because they made poor choices,' Frank said. 'They start with community service, but then they become the rockstars and leaders of the program. Some of them even become officers and, more importantly, great humans.'
'Some people need a diversion program, some need a ticket, and some need jail,' she continued. 'Our goal is always to be the least intrusive while ensuring safety. When we eliminate dangers—whether it's crime, or something as simple as giving kids a safe place to be after school—we make a real difference.'
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