By Kevin Deutsch
Coral Springs officials on Thursday announced the selection of Brad McKeone as the city’s new police chief.
McKeone, who currently serves as deputy chief in the police department, will become the city’s seventh chief of police at an official swearing-in ceremony. A date for the ceremony has not yet been announced.
The selection comes three weeks after current Coral Springs Police Chief Clyde Parry announced that he plans to retire in June 2022, after 35 years of service to the city.
“Being selected as the next Chief of Police for the City of Coral Springs, a place that I have called home for almost 40 years, is truly an honor and a privilege,” McKeone told Coral Springs Talk Thursday. “I truly believe there is no better place to live, work, and raise a family. I take great pride in the fact I will have the opportunity to be part of the City leadership that will carry on that tradition for our residents. Thank you City Manager Frank Babinec for having the confidence in me to lead the men and women of the Coral Springs Police Department who make up the best police agency in the nation.”
McKeone will work alongside Parry to “implement a comprehensive transition plan which includes community engagement, addressing quality of life issues, sustainability, and succession planning,” according to a written announcement released by the city Thursday.
“Brad is 100% committed to the City of Coral Springs,” said Coral Springs City Manager Frank Babinec. “His childhood, family life, and career are rooted in this community, and Brad’s vision for the department will ensure exceptional service and safety remain a top priority. I am confident in his ability to lead while developing the next generation of public safety professionals.”
McKeone began his career with the police department in 1999, according to a biography distributed by the city.
He served as a patrol officer and a field training officer until 2005 when he was promoted to investigator and transferred to the Vice, Intelligence and Narcotics Unit. There, he was assigned to the Fort Lauderdale District Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration and also worked as a K-9 handler.
In 2009, McKeone was promoted to sergeant, supervising the police department’s Patrol Unit and the Traffic Unit.
In January 2014, he was promoted to lieutenant, and in November 2014 became a captain and supervisor of the Community Services and Patrol/Operation Support components, according to the city.
McKeone, named Officer of the Year in 2008, was promoted to deputy chief of police in March of 2018. He also served as executive officer for the police department’s SWAT team.
The veteran law enforcer holds both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in criminal justice, according to the city.
McKeone is also a graduate of the Southern Police Institute Command Officers Development Course Session 75 and the FBI National Academy Program.
The police department currently has 225 officers and 99 civilian members.
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