The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Pensacola Police Department have a new partnership to better fight drug trafficking and violent crimes in the City and the County. Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said the partnership has been 30 years in the making and will allow law enforcement officers to work across jurisdictions in certain cases. The Partnership will be formalized with a mutual aid agreement and will have two independent task forces. One will focus on investigating narcotics and drug-related crimes, and the other will work on preventing and solving violent crimes throughout the city and county. Simmons said the unit will include about 30 law enforcement officers from both agencies. Interim Pensacola Police Department Kevin Christman said it would be a force multiplier for both agencies. Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson said the partnership will lead to better service for city and county residents.