Robert Bage

Robert Bage was born and raised in Miami, Florida, and began his public service career after graduating High School. He enlisted in the United States Navy and later joined the U.S. Border Patrol before he began a 20-year career with the North Miami Police Department (NMPD), where he rose to the rank of Assistant Chief. Throughout his tenure, he specialized in Community Policing and Traffic Safety, completing advanced crash reconstruction training through IPTM and Northwestern University. At NMPD he spearheaded numerous community engagement programs.

In addition to his operational leadership, Bage served as the elected chair of the Police Pension Board and a Union Representative, demonstrating his dedication to officer welfare and organizational integrity. 

While at NMPD he earned bachelor’s degree in psychology from Florida International University and a master’s in public administration from Barry University. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy (Session 248), the Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP), and the Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute’s Chief Executive Seminar.

In 2019, Bage was appointed Chief of Police for the City of Fort Walton Beach (FWBPD) after a national search. He led the department in regaining its accreditation, nearly a decade after it had lapsed, and established a specialized Traffic Safety and Community Policing Unit. He is an active community leader, chairing the Healthy Community group for the Okaloosa Health Improvement Partnership (OCHIP). In 2023, he received the Okaloosa Health Department’s “Champion of Champions” award for his leadership in advancing public health and safety for the establishment of a Post Overdose Response Team and for his work on housing affordability. While at FWBPD he earned his Certified Public Manager (CPM) designation from Florida State University.

Bage previously served as President of the First Judicial Law Enforcement Association, representing police chiefs and sheriffs across Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties and was a member of State of Florida’s Domestic Security Oversight Council (DSOC), where he served for two years. He serves as a board member of the Advanced Sacred Hope Academy and is a member of the Fort Walton Beach Rotary.

Bage serves in several key leadership roles at the state and national level, including:

• President, Florida Police Chiefs Association (FPCA)
• Florida Representative, State Association of Chiefs of Police (SACOP), Vice Chair for the Southeast Region
• Board of Directors, International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)
• Commissioner, Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis)
• Member, State of Florida Immigration Council (appointed by CFO Jimmy Patronis)
• Member, Florida City and County Management Association (FCCMA) Professional      Standards Committee