Parkland, FL (Friday, August 3, 2018) — The City of Parkland (City) announced today that Chris Mulligan will be the City’s new Police Captain.  The City’s current contract with the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) for comprehensive police services provides for 42 personnel, including one Captain, and is being modified to add a Sergeant whose sole function will be to oversee School Resources Officers (SROs) at the five Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) located in Parkland.   

“Captain Mulligan took firm command of the job and it was quickly apparent that his 16 years of S.W.A.T. training, his work with our school principals over the summer, his preparations for the first day of school, and his propensity for community outreach would make for the safest, most seamless transition,” City Manager Bob Payton said.  “As we were looking for someone who could do the job, he actually wasdoing it.”        

Residents will have opportunity to meet the new District Chief on Wednesday, August 8that Parkland Night Out—an event organized in part by Captain Mulligan.    

Captain Mulligan has served in the United States Air Force, Army and Army National Guard, and has been with BSO since 1999. With BSO he has served as a member of the Special Weapons and Tactics team (S.W.A.T.) from 1999 to 2015 and has held numerous leadership roles including Deputy Sheriff, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Executive Officer. 

In addition to announcing a new District Chief, the City has initiated a number of new public safety initiatives.  On August 8, 2018 the entire Parkland community is invited to attend the Parkland Night Out event taking place at Pine Trails Park from 5:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.  This event will feature an array of interactive public safety activities as well as opportunities for members of the public to meet the SROs assigned to the public schools in the City.  

On August 7, 2018, school leaders in Parkland will meet with the SROs assigned to the public schools in the City, along with City leaders and members of City staff.  The City has also contracted with the Center for Public Safety 

Management (CPSM) to review Parkland’s current agreement for police services with BSO, analyze the level of police services desired by the City and its residents, make recommendations for 911 call processing, and conduct a security assessment of city-owned facilities and parks.  The final report will likely be completed and submitted to the City by the end of the year.   

“The community policing initiatives spearheaded by Captain Mulligan offer opportunities for residents to meet and engage with the SRO’s and receive first-hand information about new public safety efforts,” Payton said.  “In addition to these efforts, the City looks forward to CPSM completing its thorough review of the City’s existing agreement for police services.”