Chief Joe Hall began his law enforcement career with the city of Callaway Police Department in 1983 as a patrolman. In 1985, he went to work for Sheriff Lavelle Pitts at the Bay County Sheriff’s Office where he served in the street crimes unit and patrol division. In 1988, he went to work for the Panama City Police Department as a patrolman. In 1990, he was asked to start a School Resource Officer program for the City of Panama City and, with the help of the Bay County School Board, was able to design and implement a successful program that is operational today. After leaving the School Resource Officer Program, he served in the Detective Bureau working homicides, robberies and burglaries, until such time he was promoted to detective sergeant then detective lieutenant. In 1999, he was promoted to commander and was reassigned to the Patrol Division overseeing the patrol officers, SWAT Unit, Honor Guard, Explorer Program, Reserve Officer Program, Special Event Coordinator and Homeland Security Liaison. In 2004, he was appointed the position of Deputy Chief of Police where he was responsible for discipline, Internal Affairs, Code Enforcement and Legal Affairs. He retired from the Panama City Police Department on June 30, 2009 and became the Chief of Police in Bartow on July 13, 2009.

Chief Hall holds a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice Administration and Associate of Science Degree in Criminal Justice. He is a graduate of the 212^th Session of the FBI National Academy and a graduate of Class Number seven of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Senior Leadership Program for Executives. 

Chief Hall enjoys serving his community through memberships with: The Florida Police Chief’s Association, International Association of Chief’s of Police, Florida and National Chapter of the National Academy Associates, American Cancer Society, Special Olympics of Florida, American Heart Association and the Rotary Club of Bartow.