Florida Police Chiefs Install New Leadership for 2016/2017

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Police Chiefs Association (FPCA) today introduced Chief Albert “Butch” Arenal of the Coconut Creek Police Department as the President of the Association for 2016/2017. Chief Arenal was sworn in as the new President during the FPCA’s 64th Annual Installation and Awards Banquet in Bonita Springs, as part of the Association’s annual Summer Conference.

Over the course of the next 12 months, Chief Arenal will prioritize the growth and development of the Association to continue serving not only chiefs of police throughout the state, but also additional members of command staffs. One of the major benefits of membership in FPCA is access to professional development and career advancement training, valuable resources for officers who are planning their long-term careers in law enforcement. Chief Arenal will also focus on reacquainting current members with the association’s rich history and encouraging them to reinvest in the association’s future.

“I could not be more honored to represent one of the finest collection of law enforcement leaders in the country in the coming year,” said Chief Arenal. “Now more than ever, our police officers need strong leadership and unyielding support. Together, we will make this a banner year for the Florida Police Chiefs Association and our more than 900 members across the state of Florida.”

Chief Arenal joined the Coconut Creek Police Department in 2015 after 28 years with the City of Punta Gorda’s Police Department, including seven years as the Punta Gorda Chief of Police. During his tenure there, Punta Gorda was listed as one of the top 10 safest cities in Florida. Chief Arenal attended the FBI National Academy and received his Bachelor of Science from Hodges University.

In addition to Chief Arenal, the following individuals have been sworn in or appointed to the FPCA Executive Board:

– 1st Vice President: Chief Kevin Lystad of the Miami Shores Police Department

– 2nd Vice President: Chief David Perry of the Florida State University Police Department

– 3rd Vice President: Chief Kenneth Albano of the Temple Terrace Police Department

– Secretary/Treasurer: Chief Chris Nelson, Auburndale Police Department

– Immediate Past President: Chief Brett Railey, Winter Park Police Department

– Past President at Large: Marshal Bill Berger, U.S. Marshals Service

– Parliamentarian: Chief Paul Sireci, Tampa International Airport Police Department

The FPCA has 17 districts throughout the state of Florida to provide support to its members. The following directors have been elected or re-elected to office this year:

District 2: Chief Robert Musco, Green Cove Springs Police Department

District 4: Chief Sean Hemingway, Bay Harbor Islands Police Department

District 6: Chief David Currey, Vero Beach Police Department

District 8: Director Stephen Dembinsky, Daytona Beach Shores Police Department

District 10: Chief Drew Whitman, Panama City Beach Police Department

District 12: Chief Rob Vincent, Gulfport Police Department

District 14: Chief John O’Grady, Mount Dora Police Department

District 15: Chief Chris Nelson, Auburndale Police Department

District 16: Chief Argatha Gilmore, Lake City Police Department

The FPCA is the third largest state police chiefs association in the nation and is composed of more than 900 of the state’s top law enforcement executives. FPCA serves municipal police departments, airport police, college and university police, private business and security firms, as well as federal, state and county law enforcement agencies. The FPCA has members representing every region of the state. For more information about membership and its benefits, please visit www.fpca.com.

# # #