Chief Todd R. Garrison was officially sworn in as the 20th Chief of Police for the City of North Port on July 18, 2018. A third-generation law enforcement officer, Chief Garrison brings over three decades of dedicated public service and leadership to the North Port Police Department.
Chief Garrison began his law enforcement career in 1992 with the Kenneth City Police Department in Florida. In 1994, he joined the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, where he served in multiple divisions including Patrol, Criminal Investigations, Civil, and Special Operations. Rising through the ranks over a distinguished 24.5-year tenure, he retired as a Major in 2018 upon his appointment as Chief of Police in North Port.
Chief Garrison holds an Associate of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Edison State College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Hodges University. He is a graduate of the Executive Academy of Government Leadership and Ethics at Florida Gulf Coast University, the Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP) through the Police Executive Research Forum, and the prestigious FBI National Academy (Session 252).
A respected leader in Florida law enforcement, Chief Garrison currently serves as District 1 Director on the Board of the Florida Police Chiefs Association and is a Board Member of the Florida Chapter of the FBI National Academy Associates. He also chairs the Sarasota Criminal Justice Academy Advisory Board and serves as Co-Chairperson of the Region 10 Training Council under the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission.
Chief Garrison’s exemplary service and leadership have been recognized with several honors, including the William B. Berger Outstanding Chief Executive of the Year Award (2023) from the Florida Police Chiefs Association and the Chief Executive of the Year Award (2023) from the Southwest Florida Police Chiefs Association.
North Port Police Department
Phone: (941) 429-7306
COUNTIES: Hardee, Highlands, DeSoto, Manatee, Sarasota