Staff Reports
Two Indiana State troopers with Bartholomew County connections have received promotions.
First Sgt. Robert D. Simpson, who is originally from Columbus, was promoted to captain. Simpson will serve as Criminal Justice Data Division Commander overseeing the State Firearms License Unit, the Indiana Criminal History Repository, the Indiana Vehicle Crash Records Program and the Indiana Data and Communications System as well as all information technology needs for the state police.
Simpson is a 1984 graduate of Columbus North High School and earned his associates degree in criminal justice from Vincennes University in 1986. He graduated from the 104th session of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in 1991 and served with the Columbus Police Department until 1999.
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He graduated from the 61st Indiana State Police Recruit Academy and was appointed as a trooper assigned to Indianapolis, where he served two years patrolling Shelby and Marion counties.
In 2003, he transferred to the Seymour ISP post and patrolled Jackson and Bartholomew counties. In 2005, he was promoted to detective specializing in crimes against children.
In 2008, Simpson was selected to serve with the FBI as a Task Force Officer with the FBI Cyber Crimes Division and in 2010, was transferred to the Technical Services Unit. Simpson was promoted to first sergeant in the Criminal Justice Data Division where he served as assistant commander in the Information Technology Section. He graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia in April 2018.
Simpson and his wife Julie have five children, six grandchildren and reside in Columbus.
Also receiving a promotion is Capt. Larry D. Jenkins, who has been promoted to the rank of major.
Jenkins will serve as the Assistance Chief of Staff Communications and Information Systems and will oversee the Regional Dispatch Centers, Indiana Criminal History Repository, Indiana Data and Communication System and the Indiana Vehicle Crash Records Program as well as advise on all information technology needs.
Jenkins, who is originally from Mitchell, is a 1986 Mitchell High School graduate. In 1990, he earned his bachelor degree in psychology from Franklin College. On Nov. 28, 1991, he graduated from the 49th Indiana State Police Recruit Academy, and was appointed as a trooper assigned to Indianapolis, where he served for eight years patrolling Marion and Johnson counties.
In 1999, Jenkins transferred to the Indiana State Police post in Seymour and patrolled Bartholomew County. In 2004, he was promoted to sergeant and served as a computer generalist with the Information Technology Section of the Criminal Justice Data Division. In 2007, Jenkins was promoted to first sergeant and given command of the Information Technology Section.
In 2014, Jenkins was promoted to captain, and he served as commander of the Criminal Justice Data Division. During his career, Jenkins has served as a field training officer, in the tactical intervention platoon, SWAT and as a firearms instructor.
Jenkins and his wife have three children and reside in Bartholomew County.
