Christopher Simpson has returned to the Jackson Police Department (JPD) after serving as Undersheriff to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office since 2020. He succeeds Chief Elmer Hitt who is retiring on February 21.
Christopher Simpson succeeds Elmer Hitt as Police Chief
Christopher Simpson was sworn in at Tuesday evening’s City Council meeting as Chief of the Jackson Police Department (JPD), succeeding Director of Police and Fire Services Elmer Hitt who is retiring Friday, Feb. 21. Simpson officiallly begins his role as Police Chief on Feb. 24.
“I have known Christopher Simpson since he was a Patrol Officer and I have a strong relationship with him. I am excited for the work he will do to further build relationships in the community through law enforcement,” Mayor Daniel Mahoney said, thanking Chief Hitt for his 29 years of service to Jackson and says he will be dearly missed.
A lifelong Jackson resident, Simpson has extensive experience in local law enforcement. He previously worked for Jackson police for 25 years, retiring as a Lieutenant and Division Commander in 2017, then serving as Undersheriff for the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office since 2020.
“It was always my goal to become Chief of Police for the City of Jackson, but was proud to retire as a Lieutenant,” Simpson stated in a City of Jackson press release.
“While I have worked with a good team at the sheriff’s office, I needed to weigh everything and consider where I could be more impactful. I believe I will be more impactful working for the City of Jackson as Chief of Police.”
Continuing the department’s outreach work in the community is a priority for Simpson.
“Ensuring that citizens of Jackson remain safe and employees of the Jackson Police Department are highly trained, professional, and ethical in all policing endeavors. I plan on coming in and looking at where we are internally and make changes if needed,” Simpson said.
Born in Los Angeles and raised in Jackson, Simpson graduated from Jackson High School in 1986, joined the U.S. Army and served four years as an Infantryman. He later joined the Michigan Army National Guard and deployed to Iraq in 2003. He served in the Army for 30 years before retiring in 2015 a Command Sergeant Major (E-9).
In 1991 Simpson joined the JPD as a cadet. He graduated from the Mid-Michigan Police Academy in 1992 and became a sworn police officer.
He served many different assignments: Narcotics, School Liaison, Training Coordinator, Special Response Team, Honor Guard, and Major Crimes.
He rose to the rank of lieutenant and was the division commander for patrol and support operations before retiring with 26 years of service at the Jackson Police Department.
His training / experience includes but not limited to: Advanced Military Leadership Training, Jackson Business Leadership Academy, Labor Law and Arbitration Law, Unified Incident Command System, Advanced Narcotics, Command Special Response Training, Honor Guard Leadership, Michigan Commission Law Enforcement Standards; approved police academy, Fire Fighter I & II, Basic and Advance Investigatory Training
Simpson graduated from Spring Arbor University with a BA in Business Organizational Development, and a MA in Business Organizational Management. He graduated from the FBI National Academy, Police School of Staff and Command, and New Chief School and Executive Leaders. He has attended and completed all levels of Military leadership training of Basic Leadership Course, Senior Leadership Course, First Sergeant Academy, and Command Sergeant Major Academy.
He has served on executive boards for Domestic Violence Coordinating Council, Jackson Human Services Coordinating Alliance, Jackson YMCA, Jackson Community Foundation, Highfields, Jackson Chamber of Commerce, Jackson County NAACP (former 1st Vice President), Law Enforcement Executive Action Forum, Jackson Aware Shelter, Jackson Chamber of Commerce, Juneteenth Board and Jackson College Foundation Board.
“I have known Christopher Simpson since he was a Patrol Officer and I have a strong relationship with him. I am excited for the work he will do to further build relationships in the community through law enforcement,” Mayor Daniel Mahoney said, thanking Chief Hitt for his 29 years of service to Jackson and says he will be dearly missed.
A lifelong Jackson resident, Simpson has extensive experience in local law enforcement. He previously worked for Jackson police for 25 years, retiring as a Lieutenant and Division Commander in 2017, then serving as Undersheriff for the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office since 2020.
“It was always my goal to become Chief of Police for the City of Jackson, but was proud to retire as a Lieutenant,” Simpson stated in a City of Jackson press release.
“While I have worked with a good team at the sheriff’s office, I needed to weigh everything and consider where I could be more impactful. I believe I will be more impactful working for the City of Jackson as Chief of Police.”
Continuing the department’s outreach work in the community is a priority for Simpson.
“Ensuring that citizens of Jackson remain safe and employees of the Jackson Police Department are highly trained, professional, and ethical in all policing endeavors. I plan on coming in and looking at where we are internally and make changes if needed,” Simpson said.
Born in Los Angeles and raised in Jackson, Simpson graduated from Jackson High School in 1986, joined the U.S. Army and served four years as an Infantryman. He later joined the Michigan Army National Guard and deployed to Iraq in 2003. He served in the Army for 30 years before retiring in 2015 a Command Sergeant Major (E-9).
In 1991 Simpson joined the JPD as a cadet. He graduated from the Mid-Michigan Police Academy in 1992 and became a sworn police officer.
He served many different assignments: Narcotics, School Liaison, Training Coordinator, Special Response Team, Honor Guard, and Major Crimes.
He rose to the rank of lieutenant and was the division commander for patrol and support operations before retiring with 26 years of service at the Jackson Police Department.
His training / experience includes but not limited to: Advanced Military Leadership Training, Jackson Business Leadership Academy, Labor Law and Arbitration Law, Unified Incident Command System, Advanced Narcotics, Command Special Response Training, Honor Guard Leadership, Michigan Commission Law Enforcement Standards; approved police academy, Fire Fighter I & II, Basic and Advance Investigatory Training
Simpson graduated from Spring Arbor University with a BA in Business Organizational Development, and a MA in Business Organizational Management. He graduated from the FBI National Academy, Police School of Staff and Command, and New Chief School and Executive Leaders. He has attended and completed all levels of Military leadership training of Basic Leadership Course, Senior Leadership Course, First Sergeant Academy, and Command Sergeant Major Academy.
He has served on executive boards for Domestic Violence Coordinating Council, Jackson Human Services Coordinating Alliance, Jackson YMCA, Jackson Community Foundation, Highfields, Jackson Chamber of Commerce, Jackson County NAACP (former 1st Vice President), Law Enforcement Executive Action Forum, Jackson Aware Shelter, Jackson Chamber of Commerce, Juneteenth Board and Jackson College Foundation Board.
Chief Hitt has been with the Jackson Police Department since 1996, working as a Patrol Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Deputy Chief and Director of Police and Fire Services, a role he has served in since 2017.
Under his leadership, JPD greatly expanded its involvement in the community, such as launching the Group Violence Intervention Program, a community-centered approach that is reducing gun violence in the city.
Hitt was born and raised near Pleasant Lake, youngest of nine children raised by his widowed mother.
An employment fair at Northwest High School piqued his interested in law enforcement. He began his career at the Jackson Police Department in 1996 as a police cadet.
He served in that capacity until 1997 when he graduated from the Lansing Community College Police Academy and was promoted to Police Officer. He worked various shifts and served as a Resident Officer for two years.
Promoted to Sergeant in 2005, he primarily worked the afternoon shift as a patrol supervisor and worked as the Administrative Sergeant, responsible for recruiting, policies and procedures, internal affairs, and grant writing.
He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2010, and promoted in 2015 to Deputy Chief. In 2017, he was appointed Director, succeeding Matt Heins.
Hitt attended Jackson Community College, and earned a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Baker College.
He completed the Jackson Community Leadership Academy in 2008 and Michigan State University’s School of Police Staff and Command in 2008.
He also was a Jackson Police Department Ethics Trainer and was selected as Officer of the Year in 2005.
His community involvement includes John George Home Board President, ALPACT Co-Chair, and Jackson Youth Net.
Hitt is welcoming Simpson back to JPD and is helping him transition into this new leadership role.
“It was truly an honor to serve the City of Jackson as the Director of Police and Fire Services over the course of the past eight years. Starting with JPD as an 18-year-old kid out of high school, I never expected to make it to where I did.
“I will forever be grateful for all those in my life that helped and guided me along the way. Law enforcement has been a great career and I will miss it, but I know I am ready to move on to the next chapter of my life,” Hitt said.
Under his leadership, JPD greatly expanded its involvement in the community, such as launching the Group Violence Intervention Program, a community-centered approach that is reducing gun violence in the city.
Hitt was born and raised near Pleasant Lake, youngest of nine children raised by his widowed mother.
An employment fair at Northwest High School piqued his interested in law enforcement. He began his career at the Jackson Police Department in 1996 as a police cadet.
He served in that capacity until 1997 when he graduated from the Lansing Community College Police Academy and was promoted to Police Officer. He worked various shifts and served as a Resident Officer for two years.
Promoted to Sergeant in 2005, he primarily worked the afternoon shift as a patrol supervisor and worked as the Administrative Sergeant, responsible for recruiting, policies and procedures, internal affairs, and grant writing.
He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2010, and promoted in 2015 to Deputy Chief. In 2017, he was appointed Director, succeeding Matt Heins.
Hitt attended Jackson Community College, and earned a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Baker College.
He completed the Jackson Community Leadership Academy in 2008 and Michigan State University’s School of Police Staff and Command in 2008.
He also was a Jackson Police Department Ethics Trainer and was selected as Officer of the Year in 2005.
His community involvement includes John George Home Board President, ALPACT Co-Chair, and Jackson Youth Net.
Hitt is welcoming Simpson back to JPD and is helping him transition into this new leadership role.
“It was truly an honor to serve the City of Jackson as the Director of Police and Fire Services over the course of the past eight years. Starting with JPD as an 18-year-old kid out of high school, I never expected to make it to where I did.
“I will forever be grateful for all those in my life that helped and guided me along the way. Law enforcement has been a great career and I will miss it, but I know I am ready to move on to the next chapter of my life,” Hitt said.
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