The Chief’s Office
Dedicated to Excellence .. People Serving People
The Panama City Police Department is led by an experienced and dedicated leadership team committed to community safety and professional excellence. Chief Mark Smith brings over 20 years of law enforcement expertise, emphasizing innovation and community engagement. Supporting the Chief, Deputy Chief Kristain Shaw ensures operational efficiency and oversees critical departmental initiatives, fostering collaboration across all divisions to serve the citizens of Panama City with integrity and accountability.
Meet The Chief
Chief Mark Smith began his career with the Panama City Police Department in April 2004, after retiring from the Panama City Beach Police Department. He has worked in various sections of the department serving in Field Services and Criminal Investigations. Working through the ranks of the agency serving in all aspects of supervisory capacity to the current position of Chief of Police.
Chief Smith obtained his Bachelor's Degree in 1986 from Florida State University and has a Master’s in Law Enforcement Intelligence. He serves as an adjunct instructor for Florida State University and Gulf Coast State College.
Meet The Deputy Chief
Deputy Chief Kristain Shaw began his journey in law enforcement in 2005 as a corrections officer after relocating to the Panama City area as a military dependent. He joined the Panama City Police Department in 2015, where he has risen through the ranks with dedication and excellence. Throughout his career, D.C. Shaw has served in various key roles, including Patrol Officer, Street Crimes Investigator, Detective, Corporal of Street Crimes, Corporal of Investigations, Sergeant of Street Crimes, Captain of Investigations, and Captain of Field Services.
Recognized for his exceptional contributions, D.C. Shaw was honored as Detective of the Year in 2018. He is an active member of the Homeland Security Task Force and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, bringing specialized skills to his work. A Cellebrite-certified mobile examiner, CVSA (Computer Voice Stress Analysis) operator, and FDLE (Florida Department of Law Enforcement) General Instructor, Capt. Shaw has also completed the prestigious FBI-LEEDA Leadership Academy.
In January 2022, he received an Exceptional Service Award, further underscoring his commitment to excellence in law enforcement and community safety.