Volusia County

Daytona Beach swears in Volusia County’s first Black police chief

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — On Friday, the city of Daytona Beach made history by hiring its first Black police chief.

Jakari Young is the department’s 17th police chief since 1919 and was its deputy chief for the last three years.

Young said given the climate we are in right now and how much weight and responsibility falls on the shoulders of the chief, taking the job was something he had to think over.

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But ultimately, he said Daytona Beach is his home and that he is the best person for the job.

His promotion also makes him the first Black police chief for any department in Volusia County.

“I feel like I won the Super Bowl, that’s how I feel right now,” Young said.

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Young is taking over for Craig Capri, who is retiring.


Sarah Wilson

Sarah Wilson, WFTV.com

Sarah Wilson joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2018 as a digital producer after working as an award-winning newspaper reporter for nearly a decade in various communities across Central Florida.