Florida Police Chiefs Association

Florida Police Chiefs Association Executive Board

Chief Peter Paulding, President

Chief Paulding has been a law enforcement officer since 1972. He holds a Master of Science Degree in Public Administration. He began his career in Plymouth, Massachusetts and retired as Chief of Police from Grafton, Massachusetts in 2001. In 2001 Chief Paulding was hired as the Chief of Police in the Gulf Breeze Police Department. The GBPD is the first law enforcement agency in the panhandle to be accredited by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation and has also achieved National Recognition status from CALEA. GBPD has been CFA accredited for 11 years.

Chief Paulding became actively involved with the Florida Police Chiefs Association as soon as he arrived in Florida. Since joining the Florida Police Chiefs Association in 2001, he was selected as the FPCA representative to the Florida Governor's Citizen Corps Task Force in 2003. He was also selected to represent District 10 on the Board of Directors in 2004 and served in that capacity until his election as the Association's 3rd Vice President in June, 2007.

In 2004 he was nominated to represent Florida's Police Chiefs on the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation and was subsequently appointed. He was also tasked with spearheading the FPCA Disaster Task Force initiative in 2005 and has succeeded in completing the project and received ratification of the plan by the Directors in 2006. The Board of Directors bestowed the 2005 selection of the Directors Choice Award for his efforts in this endeavor. Chief Paulding brought the International Association of Chiefs of Police New Chiefs Mentorship initiative to the FPCA Board in 2007 and the board endorsed FPCA participation, making Florida the 5th state association to formally partner with the IACP and cross promote each other's endeavors. FPCA was provided with their own separate chapter in the IACP Police Desk Reference manual.

Chief Paulding serves as Chair of the Training and Education Advisory Committee, George Stone Criminal Justice Training Center; the Co-Chair of the Security and Communication Sub-Committee, CEO Roundtable, Santa Rosa County; and as Chair of the Florida Region One Anti-Terrorism Task Force, Equipment Committee. He was also awarded the Distinguished Service award from Chapter VI of the Florida Council on Crime and Delinquency in 2006.

Under Chief Paulding's leadership, the Gulf Breeze Police Department has won the Rocky Pomerance Excellence in Policing award in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006, as well as the ITT/IACP Community Policing award in 2003 and the Florida Law Enforcement Challenge award in 2006.

Chief Paul Sireci, 1st Vice President

Chief Sireci has been a law enforcement officer for 37 years. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Florida, where he was on the Deans List, and a Master of Business Administration from Nova University, also receiving Nova's Academic Excellence Award. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, 146th Session, the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development School, 40th Session, and the US Army Dignitary Protection School.

He began his law enforcement career in 1973 with the City of Naples Police and Emergency Services Department, where he received the agency's Medal of Valor. He became active in the Florida Police Chiefs Association in 1992, co-chairing the 1993 Summer Conference Committee.

In 1995, after reaching the rank of Police Commander, he left the City of Naples and took a position as Chief of Public Safety with the Memphis International Airport. He became a member of the Metropolitan Memphis Association of Chiefs of Police and was named President of that Association in 2000.

Chief Sireci returned to Florida in 2002, becoming the Chief of Police for the Tampa International Airport Police Department. At this time, he resumed active involvement with the Florida Police Chiefs Association. Prior to being elected 3rd Vice President in 2008, Chief Sireci served as District 15 Director and Legislative Committee Chair.

He was elected President of the Tampa Bay Area Chiefs of Police Association in 2006 and continues to serve as a TBACPA Director. Chief Sireci is a member of the Tampa Regional Domestic Terrorism Task Force and a Life Member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Chief Samuel Williams, 2nd Vice President

Samuel Williams was born and educated in Miami. After graduating from Miami Northwestern Sr. High School in 1965 he entered the United States Air Force. This tour of duty took him to Europe and Viet Nam.

After being honorably discharged from the military he returned to Miami and began his college training at Miami Dade Community College, moving on to Biscayne College where he obtained his Bachelors and Masters degrees. Assistant Director Williams is a graduate of the prestigious Southern Police Institute.

He joined the Metro-Dade Police Department in June 1971. His assignments included patrol and eventually was assigned to the Safe Streets Unit and later he became a Community Service Officer.

In 1982 he was appointed as the first Commander of the newly formed Human Resources Bureau. The bureau was responsible for developing and monitoring the Department's Affirmative Action plan and recruitment and hiring programs.

In 1985 he was made Commander of Licenses and Permits Bureau. The bureau was responsible for the issuance of concealed weapons, Palm Reader, Auto Part's Dealer's (junkyard), Blasting and civilian identification and clearance permits.

In 1987 he was appointed Commander of the Community Affairs Bureau, whose responsibilities included developing and coordinating community relations and crime prevention activities for the Metro-Dade Police Department. The Bureau also coordinated Departmental youth programs including Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE), the Police Athletic League (PAL), Pedestrian Safety and Traffic Safety programs along with Citizen Volunteer and School Crossing Guard programs.

Promoted to Major in 1993 he was assigned to the Public Housing Police Bureau, provided police service to Dade County Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD and Police Operations bureaus merged in 1993 and he commanded the newly formed Police Operations Bureau. In 1996, he was made commander of the Doral District.

Promoted to Assistant Director of Support Services in April 1997. He oversaw, Criminal Investigations, Information Services, Administrative Services and Sheriff Services divisions, Health Services Section and the Juvenile Assessment Center (JAC).

Assistant Director was transferred to Police Services in 1997 where he supervised 3 divisions, North Operations, South Operations and Uniform Services. These divisions contain nine police districts and special services such as Special Response Teams, Aviation, Motorcycles, Marine Patrol, Critical Incident Management, Special Events, Bomb Disposal and Detection, K-9, Public Housing Police, Hospital Security, Transit Police Operations, Seaport Police Operations and Community Affairs. Additionally supervised the Police Services and Intergovernmental Bureaus.

Promoted to Assistant County Manager for Miami-Dade County in December 2001. Has management oversight responsibility for public safety departments and quasi-independent agencies that provide a wide range of governmental services including Division of Homeland Security: Police, Fire and Rescue, Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Corrections and Rehabilitation, Medical Examiner, Juvenile Assessment Center, Independent Review Panel and the Youth Crime Task Force. Represents the County Manager's Office at Board of County Commission, departmental, interdepartmental and community meetings. Serves on numerous advisory and community boards. Has significant involvement with high priority issues and community matters and is a member of numerous professional organizations.

Samuel retired from Miami-Dade County as Assistant County Manager for Public Safety on June 30, 2003.

On August 5, 2003, he was named Chief of Police for the City of Ocala, Florida.

Chief Williams currently serves on the following Boards:

Chief Williams is currently a member of the following organizations:

Chief Dennis Jones, 3rd Vice President

Chief Dennis "Denny" Jones has served in numerous roles throughout his career in law enforcement, beginning in 1978 as a Police Officer with the Daytona Beach Police Department, and later assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division as a detective working in the Burglary, Robbery and Homicide Units. While assigned to the Office of Special Investigations, his duties included working vice and narcotics, organized crime and Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs.

Chief Jones served as a patrol shift supervisor as well as the unit supervisor for the agency's Office of Professional Standards, including Internal affairs and accreditation. Eventually, he was assigned as the Deputy Commander for both Criminal Investigations and Support Services, before being promoted to Police Commander in 2002.

As the Commander of the Criminal Investigations Division for the Daytona Beach Police Department, he supervised all aspects of major case investigations, narcotics, crime scene techs, victim advocates, and the Special Response Team. An Additional responsibility was serving as the Tactical Unit Commander for Special Events, including The Daytona 500, Motorcycle Week, Spring Break, and numerous VIP dignitary protection details.

In November of 2002, he was appointed as the Chief of Police for the Daytona Beach Police Department and retired in April 2006. In May 2007, after a national search, Chief Jones was selected to serve as the Chief of Police for the City of Tallahassee.

Chief Jones is a graduate of Penn State University and the 223rd Session of the F.B.I. National Academy. He has been a member of the Florida Police Chief's Association since 2002, and served as the District 3 Director and as Co-chair and member of the Legislative Committee. Chief Jones is also an active member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the FBI National Academy Associates.

Chief Jones was appointed as a Policy Board Member for the Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute in 2008 and is a graduate of both the FCJEI's Senior Leadership Program and Chief Executive Seminar.

Chief Jones is a Vietnam Veteran, who served in the U. S. Navy (1971-1975) and is a Life member of the VFW.

With over 30 years of law enforcement training and experience, Chief Jones has committed his life to public service and to protecting the people he serves.

During any spare time, Chief Jones enjoys spending quality family time with his wife Cindy, and daughters Heather, and Shannon. He is also known to cheer for football teams from Pennsylvania, even after living in Florida for over 32 years!

Chief Jay Romine, Secretary/Treasurer

Chief Jay Romine began his career with the Holmes Beach Police Department as a part-time patrol officer in 1979. Since that time he has served as a patrol officer, patrol sergeant, detective sergeant, lieutenant, assistant chief of police and has served as chief of police since July 1993.

Chief Romine is a native of Manatee County and is an alumnus of Southeast High School, Manatee Community College, Auburn University and The University of South Florida. He is a graduate of the 184th Session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA, and is also a graduate of the Criminal Justice Executive Seminar, Class 12.

Chief Romine currently serves as the Chairman of the Manatee County Law Enforcement Council, is a Past President of the Tampa Bay Area Chief's of Police Association and a Past President of the Florida Police Chiefs Association.

In August of 2002, Chief Romine was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush to serve a four-year term as one of three police chiefs in the State on the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission. He was reappointed by Governor Bush in 2006 and currently serves as CJSTC Chairman. He also serves on the Criminal Justice Executive Institute Policy Board.

Chief Romine's hobbies include hunting and golf. He is active in the music ministry of First Baptist Church of Bradenton, and is married to Jayne and has one daughter, Ashley.

Chief Dorene Thomas, Immediate Past President

Chief Dorene Thomas is a 36 year veteran police officer. She was appointed as Pinellas Park Police Department's Police Chief in 2000; and she and her department of 158 personnel serve a community of over 48,000 residents. She began her career with St. Pete Beach Police Department in 1975 and was hired by Pinellas Park Police Department in 1980.

As a member of the Florida Police Chiefs Association since 2001 she served as District 12 Director - 2005-2006, Training Committee Chair - 2004-2006, Training Committee Co-Chair - 2003-2004, Awards Committee Member - since 2003. Chief Thomas became the first female President of the Florida Police Chiefs Association during the 57th Annual Summer Training Conference and Exposition in Wesley Chapel, Florida on June 17, 2009.

On the eve of the five year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Chief Thomas represented the Association in New York City at the Tribute to the Nation's First Responders.

She has served on the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Information Systems Council, steering committee for the inaugural sergeant's academy, Saddlebrook Summer conference, Adult Protective Advisory Committee, Domestic Security Oversight Council, and is member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Within her local community, her associations include: Tampa Bay Area Police Chiefs Association - Past President and Past Vice President; Past and current Chairperson of Pinellas Police Standards Council; St. Petersburg College Advisory Board, Chair of the Regional Community Policing Training Advisory Board,Pinellas County Substance Abuse Advisory Board, Pinellas County LiveFree Organization, President of Vincent House, and Church of Transfiguration Ministry and Choir.

She holds an AS in Police Administration from St. Petersburg College, BS degree in Criminal Justice from University of South Florida, and a Master's degree in Public Administration from Golden Gate University. She is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, 169th Session, Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute, and the USF Executive Fellows Program. As an Adjunct Professor at St. Petersburg College, she teaches Strategic Planning, Patrol Issues, Criminal Investigations, and Management of Specialized Units. She retired as Chief Petty Officer from the United States Naval Reserve in 2003.

Chief Lionel Cote, Past President at Large

Lionel A. Cote's experience and education in a law enforcement career spans more than 40 years since enlisting in the United States Army Military Police in 1961.

He spent 3 years as a Military Police Officer, United States Army, 9 1/2 years as a Trooper, Maine State Police. 2 1/2 years as a Police Chief, Town of Sabattus, Maine. 2 terms as Sheriff, Androscoggin County, Maine, appointed by Governor Brennan as Maine State Director of the Bureau of Civil Emergency Preparedness, 1979. 4 years as a Police Chief, Lehighton, Pennsylvania. Appointed Chief of Police in Satellite Beach in 1985 to present.

Chief Cote holds an Associate of science degree in criminal justice from the University of Maine, Bachelor of Science Degree Cum Laude in Criminal Justice from the University of Maine. Master of Science Degree in Police Science from St. John's University, A graduate of the National Sheriff's Institute at the University of Southern California (11th Session), A Graduate of the New England Institute of Law Enforcement Management at Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts, A Graduate of the FBI National Academy (115th Session), A Graduate of the Florida Police Chiefs Executive Institute, The Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute (12th Session), The FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar, LEEDS (Class 32) and numerous courses sponsored by the FBI, the Florida Police Chiefs, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Career Development Programs sponsored by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Chief Executive Seminar, Sessions I, II and III-FDLE, Advanced Chiefs of Police Seminar-FDLE, Basic Chiefs Seminar-FDLE.

SPECIAL AWARDS:

20 Gallon Blood Donor Award, Central Florida Blood Bank (through June 2009)
Commendable Service Award by Brevard County Sheriff (1997)
Prevent Service Award, (January, 1996)
Life Membership Award - Brevard County Police Chiefs Association (1996)
Life Membership Awarded - International Association of Chiefs of Police (1996)
Life Membership Awarded - Missile Space & Range Pioneers (2008)
Florida Metropolitan University System - Criminal Justice Award (1996)
Satellite Beach Lion's Club Appreciation Award (1996)
Satellite Beach Community Services Visionary Award (1996)
Sheriff's Achievement Award, (December, 1995)
Hurricane Erin Dedication & Appreciation Award, (1995)
Veterans of Foreign War "American Citizenship Award" (1994)
Received Outstanding Public Service Award from Satellite Beach Lions Club (1993)
Received "Good Government Award" from the South Brevard Beaches Jaycees in 1986
Received National Award from Law Enforcement Hall of Fame, Tampa, Florida for outstanding investigative work in a homicide case where he made the arrest within 30 hours (August, 1985)
Responsible for developing the Evacuation Plan for the Maine Yankee Nuclear Power Plant at Wiscasset, Maine (1980)
Selected by the National Jaycees as One of the Outstanding Young Men of America (1979)
Appointed a Lieutenant Colonel Aide DeCamp in the Alabama State Militia by Governor George Wallace (1978)
First Sheriff in Maine to be certified in Maine's history (1977)
County Mountie Award presented by Lexington Fayette Urban County Division of Police.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Appointed Past President at Large - Florida Police Chiefs Association,
2003 through present
Police Department Re-accreditation with National Recognition, June 2003
Received Top Secret Clearance from F.B.I., 04/01/03
Appointed to Region 5 Terrorism Task Force, 03/03
Brevard County Terrorism Task Force, 10/02
Served as past President, Florida Police Chiefs Association, 2002-2003
Elected President, Florida Police Chiefs Association, 2001-2002
Elected 1st Vice President, Florida Police Chiefs Association, 2000-2001
Satellite Beach Police Department attained State Accreditation (2000)
Elected 2nd Vice President, Florida Police Chiefs Association ( 1999)
Elected 3rd Vice President, Florida Police Chiefs Association (1998)
Instrumental in establishment of Juvenile Assessment Center (JAC) for Brevard County, (1998)
Brevard County Drug Task Force, Leadership, (1997)
Established a Citizen's on Phone Patrol Program (COPP) Pilot Program (1997)
Brevard County Chiefs of Police Association awarded Life Membership - 1996
International Association of Chiefs of Police awarded Life Membership - 1996
Florida Metropolitan University System, Criminal Justice Award, (1996)
Participated in establishment of county-wide Weed and Seed Program, (1996)
Participated in establishment of county-wide SHOCAP Program, (1996)
Established police officers and citizen volunteers to staff duty, (1996)
Brevard County Chiefs of Police Association, President (1988-1995-2004)
Established first Citizen's Police Academy, (1994)
Instrumental in expanding county-wide Drug Task Force to establish interdiction Efforts at Melbourne International Airport and Port Canaveral, (1991)
Established partnership with COPE of Brevard (drug rehabilitation and prevention organization) to initiate drug referrals within our Human Services operation, (1991)
The Brevard County Chiefs of Police Association, Executive Secretary (1990) Sought successful passage of a city False Alarm Ordinance, (1990)
Participated in establishment of Brevard County Police Testing and Certification Center through passage of a special legislative act, (1987)
Instrumental in forming a joint agency county-wide Drug Task Force unit in Brevard County, (1986)
Lions International Club, 1986 - Present
Florida Police Chiefs Association, past member, Legislative Committee
Brevard County Chiefs of Police Association, President three times, Vice President twice, Secretary/Treasurer twice.
Law Enforcement Executive Development Association
Florida Police Chiefs Education & Research Foundation
Ashlar Lodge 105.

SERVES OR SERVED ON BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE FOLLOWING:

Rotary International - Honoree Membership (10/2000)
Elected 1st Vice President, Florida Police Chiefs Association (2000)
Devereaux Hospital, Board of Directors (1996 to Present)
Satellite Beach Lions Club Member, Chairman of Drug Awareness/Quest (1994 - 2000)
Director, District 7 - Florida Police Chiefs Association (1992 - 1998)
PREVENT - Federally funded Drug Education and Prevention Program Board of Directors (1992 - 1996)
AZAN Temple, Provost Corps (1990 - Present)
PaceSetters, Community Partnership Drug Awareness, Vice President (1990 - 1992)
COPE of Brevard, Board of Directors (1991 - 1994)
Coach, Satellite Beach Little League (1989 - 1993)
President, Brevard County Police Chiefs Association (1989 - 1995)
Brevard County Wide Drug Task Force (1987 - 1995)
Brevard County Police Testing and Certification at Brevard Community College (1986 - Present)
Brevard County Criminal Justice Academy at Brevard Community College
Brevard Community College Technical Advisory Committee (1986 - Present)
F.B.I. Academy Graduates, Florida Chapter (1986 - Present)
President, Town Homes of Satellite Beach (1986 - 2000)
International Association of Chiefs of Police (20 Year Member)
Holy Name of Jesus Building Committee

Chief Nolan McLeod, Parliamentarian

Chief W. Nolan McLeod's career in Florida law enforcement began 27 years ago at the Bartow Police Department; where he served as patrol officer, patrol sergeant, detective sergeant, patrol lieutenant, and agency training officer. During that time Chief McLeod continued his education by completing a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from St. Leo University. He also attended both the Southern Police Institute's Command Officer Development and the FBI National Academy.

In May of 1996, Chief McLeod began his service to the City of Live Oak as police chief when he accepted the challenge of creating a new police department in Live Oak, Fla. Today, the Live Oak Police Department is a progressive state-accredited agency that has formed active partnerships with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.

In January of 2007, Chief McLeod was sworn in and is currently serves as Chief of Police in Auburndale, Florida.

Chief McLeod and his wife Nancy have been married for 34 years. They have two sons, Joe who teaches communications and speech at the Lakeland Campus of Kieser University, and Chad who is the Communications & Community Relations Manager for the Pinellas County Tax Collector. In his spare time Chief McLeod enjoys playing the guitar and banjo. He is active in his church where he sings in the choir and teaches classes.

Chief McLeod is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police; the Florida Police Chief's Association, and the Tampa Bay Area Police Chiefs Association.

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