By By Lisa Tindell – news editor
In his law enforcement career, John Gleaton has seen the horrors that domestic violence can cause in families.
Gleaton has been promoted to major in the Escambia County Sheriff's Department and transferred to the Domestic Violence Task Force Unit, Sheriff Grover Smith said.
The move is one of several changes in the department, and Smith said county residents will benefit from them.
Gleaton had been serving as chief deputy.
Gleaton said his previous work in domestic violence investigations has given him a desire to focus on the problems in Escambia County.
Gleaton said domestic violence is on the rise across the country, and Escambia County is no exception.
With Gleaton's move to the DVTF unit, the position of chief deputy needed to be filled. Smith said Mike Lambert has already taken on that role.
Lambert vacated his position as police chief for the Flomaton Police Department when he accepted the assignment with the county, Smith said.
Smith said Gleaton and Lambert are assets for the county and will create a better environment for the department with the changes.
Gleaton said he knows he is putting his duties as chief deputy into good hands with the transition of the position to Lambert.