HAINES CITY, Fla. — Darrell Wilson has officially taken his position as the new Public Safety Director for Haines City on Sept. 8. In this role, Wilson oversees operations for both the Haines City Police Department and the Haines City Fire Department.
Wilson brings more than 30 years of public service experience to the city, where he is tasked with providing strategic leadership and coordination across all municipal public safety services. His career spans active-duty military service, municipal police leadership, and state criminal investigation management.
Most recently, Wilson served as deputy chief for the Bartow Police Department. Before that position, he served as chief of the Bureau of Fire, Arson, and Explosives Investigations within the Florida Department of Financial Services’ Criminal Investigations Division.
Prior to his state service, Wilson worked with the Plant City Police Department from 1993 to 2009, where he rose through the ranks to captain. During his tenure in Plant City, he managed operations across the patrol, investigative, and support services divisions, overseeing agency functions, including the 911 center, property and evidence, records, extra-duty management, and information services.
Wilson holds a Bachelor of Arts in organizational management and a Master of Science in management, both from Warner University. He is a graduate of Class 11 of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Senior Leadership Program as well as the FBI LEEDA Executive Leadership Institute.
Wilson is a member of the Polk County Police Chiefs Association and serves as an assessor for the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation. His background also includes military service, having served four years on active duty in the U.S. Army and four years in the U.S. Army Reserve.
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