A little bio on Dave Simmons

Received this from a friend who said it was printed he thinks in the Fayette News earlier this year. Since I didn't think The citizen ran any bio's heres one on Simmons.

Personal Information about Dave Simmons

Dave Simmons' parents, Amos and Bessie Simmons, were born in New Bern, North Carolina. Amos worked on his parent's tobacco farm, but moved to Detroit, Michigan in 1943 seeking employment. In 1945, Dave's mother joined her husband in Detroit. Dave is the oldest of five children, and was born in Detroit on November 21, 1946. His father became a construction worker who worked from sunrise to sunset. Tragically in 1955, Amos was killed in a construction cave-in, leaving Bessie to raise five young children, who ranged in age from eight to less than a year old.

Growing up, they were very poor, did not have a lot of material things, but Dave's mother loved her children and taught them three basic lessons: Don't Lie, Don't Steal, and Work for the things you want. Additionally, she refused to allow them to say the word "Can't." She taught her children that there was nothing that they could not do, if they made their mind to do it. Bessie Simmons taught Dave and his siblings the value of hard work.

Sadly, Dave's mother recently passed away on June 25, at the age of 92. She was a Christian, and a Republican. In fact, all of Dave's brothers and sisters are Republicans.

Professional Information

On November 30, 2007, David Simmons, CPP, former Deputy Chief of Police for the Detroit Police Department (Retired), announced his candidacy for the 2008 Republican nomination for Fayette County Sheriff.

Mr. Simmons is currently the President of David L. Simmons & Associates, a security consulting company.

Simmons has a proven record of innovative executive leadership and experience over the last two decades, managing law enforcement and security operations. Prior to moving to Fayette County in 1998, Simmons served as a Deputy Chief of Police with the Detroit Police Department. He served as the Chief of Staff for the Chief of Police, assisting the Chief in managing the day-to-day operations of the 4,500 member department.

Upon retiring from the Department in 1996, Simmons was appointed to the position of Director of Public Safety for the City of Highland Park, Michigan. Simmons has received awards for his service from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (F.B.I.), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (A.T.F), the Drug Enforcement Administration (D.E.A.), and the United States Secret Service.

Simmons has earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Madonna University in Livonia, MI, and a Masters of Liberal Studies degree in Interdisciplinary Technology from Eastern Michigan University. He has also completed Graduate courses in Public Administration at Central Michigan University.

Simmons is a Graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (F.B.I.) National Academy. In 1993, Simmons earned the Certified Protection Professional (CPP) designation from ASIS International (American Society for Industrial Security). ASIS International is the largest international educational organization for security professionals, with over 35,000 members worldwide. Only 10,000 individuals worldwide have earned the CPP designation. He is also a graduate of Leadership Detroit XIII.

Goals

Dave states that the cornerstone of public safety and public service is the responsibility of law enforcement to protect and serve the community. He states he would use progressive law enforcement management strategies to administer the Fayette County Sheriff's Department. Simmons further states he would ensure that the department is operated in a professional and cost effective manner. He will work vigorously to ensure that Fayette County continues to be a great place to live, work, and own a business.

Local Service and memberships

Simmons has been an active member of the Fayette County Republican Party since 1998, and most recently served as the party's Vice Chairman of Membership. He was recently appointed to serve as Fayette County's representative on the Georgia Republican Party's 3rd District Committee.

Mr. Simmons is currently the President of the Board of Directors of the Whitewater Creek Community Association. He is also a member of ASIS International, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy of Graduates, and the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce.

He has been married to his wife Patricia for twenty years, and together they have five adult children. Pat and Dave were next door neighbors, and known each other since 1959. They attend New Hope Baptist Church (North Campus) in Fayetteville, Georgia.

Dave's web site http://simmonsforsheriff.org/

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Submitted by drewpdawg on Mon, 07/14/2008 - 3:15pm.

Why was this information so important? We already have this information from Dave Simmons and if you were to check every letter he has composed to the Citizen, you will see this information. Every letter, every forum, every pamphlet, every bit of information on his website all says the same thing (Besides throwing in Fayette's population when Randall took office compared to today, Fayette needs a Sheriff who can hit-the-ground running, we have gang wannabe's and the I have a college degree speech)! That is all we have ever heard from Dave Simmons, is the "exact same thing" and nothing new!

Why hasn't Mr. Simmons ever told us about Detroit and his knowledge of the Chief McKinnon/Hart scandal? Why hasn't Mr. Simmons told of his own "good-ole-boy network" he benefitted from in Detroit? Why hasn't Simmons told us why he left abruptly from Highland Park and why they discontinued their Public Safety program after he left? Why hasn't Mr. Simmons ever told us about the information he obtained from his FBI training and how he plans on using that to better the S.O.? Why hasn't Mr. Simmons ever told us about his jobs in GA? Why hasn't Mr. Simmons ever told us about some of his clients he has served since owning his own "consulting company?" Why hasn't Mr. Simmons told us about any current law enforcement training he has had since he retired in 1996? Why hasn't Mr. Simmons told us about his crime stats and how they differ from the S.O. statistics? Why hasn't Mr. Simmons told us more about his "is he or isn't he-friendly" relationships with Sheriff Johnson, Bruce Jordan, Greg Dunn, Ike McKinnon or anyone else he has deemed a "friend" since this campaign began? Why hasn't Simmons offered explanations as to why his police certification from Michigan did not transfer to GA? Why hasn't Simmons explained why his GA POST certification only shows his highest level of education as a HS diploma? And this is just the beginning....

Basically, KCW56 you are just like Dave giving us only a "little bio!"

Also, KCW56, what is the importance of telling us that Simmons' mother, "was a Christian, and a Republican. In fact, all of Dave's brothers and sisters are Republicans."? Does this information make Simmons a "more qualified candidate" over the others?

Submitted by KCW56 on Mon, 07/14/2008 - 4:41pm.

“Why was this information so important?”

It must have been, since you rebutted. Dude, your questions, as far as I’m concerned, continues to reflect negative innuendos and untruths and you still haven’t researched to find the answers. The Republican forum actually only had questions from the audience. You could have asked then.

If you are so concerned, contact John Munford, so concerned contact Detroit PD. Hell; contact Dave Simmons directly, by phone.

Submitted by drewpdawg on Mon, 07/14/2008 - 6:28pm.

The reason I asked what was the importance of your blog, was that you weren't telling us anything new! And unless you are Simmons or his official spokesperson, I wondered why you felt it necessary/important to remind those of us of his "bio."

I just hate it that my mind randomly comes up with these questions without any sort of research! Maybe you would have questions (and would have asked them at the forum) too if you didn't let others make up your mind for you!!

Submitted by skyspy on Mon, 07/14/2008 - 5:56pm.

You forgot to mention that the naacp supports him, and that he has been retired for 12+yrs.

Is Munford an investigative reporter?

There are still a few unanswered questions:

Why does his buddy ex-police chief MCKinnon only refer to Simmons as Sgt. Simmons in his book Stand Tall?

Why the hasty departure from the job at the state capitol in 2001?

Also why are his signs still being placed on the right of way? Are the county ordinances just for us "little people"? I saw 3 of Ballards on the right of way today too.

Submitted by Spyglass on Mon, 07/14/2008 - 2:34pm.

Is who he will endorse in the Run-off? And if he does endorse anyone, will it hurt said candidate?

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