Police chief named finalist

Police chief named finalist

Jerry Connolly, chief of police at Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW), has been named one of the finalists for the 2024 Campus Safety Director of the Year awards presented by Campus Safety magazine.

Connolly is being recognized for his exceptional leadership and contributions to campus safety at FSW. Under his guidance, the department has secured additional officer benefits, such as holiday pay and shift differentials, and equipped sworn officers with FSWPD vehicles. He led multiple tabletop exercises involving various departments across the college, enhancing coordination and preparedness. He saved the college approximately $450,000 by eliminating a third-party security services contractor and hiring additional staff, strengthening the department’s capacity.

Connolly holds a doctorate in human services with a specialization in criminal justice and brings over 30 years of experience in law enforcement and campus safety to his role at FSW. Before joining the college, he held positions with the Haines City Police Department and Polk County Sherriff ’s Office where he served as the commander of the Bureau of Colleges and Universities, providing leadership to Polk State College and Southeastern University campus safety programs.

About Campus Safety Director of the Year

The Campus Safety Director of the Year awards are presented by Campus Safety magazine to recognize outstanding leadership and contributions to campus safety. Finalists are selected by a panel of experts in campus safety. Winners of this year’s Director of the Year awards will be announced at this summer’s 2024 Campus Safety Conference, taking place in Atlanta, Georgia, July 8-10. ¦

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