Val B. Demings was born in Jacksonville, Florida to James and Elouise Butler and is the youngest of seven children. She attended Duval County Public Schools and is a graduate of Wolfson High School. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology from Florida State University and her Master of Arts degree in Public Administration from Webster University. Chief Demings also completed the Southern Police Institute Command Officer's Development Course and is a graduate of the 226th Session of the FBI National Academy.
Chief Demings is married to Jerry L. Demings, Public Safety Director for Orange County Government and former Orlando Police Chief. They have three sons, Austin, Antoine, and Antonio.
After working as a Social Worker in Foster Care, Chief Demings moved to Orlando in 1983 to attend the Police Academy. She was elected Class President and later received the Board of Trustees Award for overall excellence. She has worked many assignments throughout her career, including the West Patrol Division, Criminal Investigation Division, Crime Prevention Division, Explorer and Cadet Unit, Public Information Office, Internal Affairs, and the Airport Division. She has also served as the Commander of Special Operations where she managed special events, dignitary protection, traffic enforcement, traffic homicide, marine patrol, the K-9 and Vehicles for Hire Units, and the Reserve and Auxiliary Units. Most recently, Chief Demings served as the Bureau Commander for Patrol Services, and was responsible for over 300 sworn and civilian personnel. Effective December 17, 2007, Chief Demings was appointed by Mayor Dyer as Chief of Police for the City of Orlando.
In addition to her regular job assignments, Chief Demings served 12 years on the Crisis Negotiation Team, Commander of the Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Team, and Executive Vice President of the International Association of Airport and Seaport Police.
Chief Demings is involved in social service activities, which include the following:
Saint Mark A.M.E. Church, Trustee; President of the Women's Missionary Society; (Chief Demings has participated in overseas mission trips to Peru and Haiti.) Delta Sigma Theta Public Service Sorority; Chaplain; Chairperson of the Social Action Committee; Parliamentarian; The Links, Inc., Orlando Chapter, Member; Central Florida Police Athletic League, Chairman; Vice President of Board of Directors; YMCA Achievers Program, Orange County Family Services Program, Advisory Board Member; Valencia Community College, Black Advisory Board Member; United Negro College Fund, Advisory Board Member; Guardian Care Nursing and Rehabilitative Center, Board of Directors, NAACP, Silver Life Member; Community Education Program, Mentor; Regional Commission on Homelessness; Member; and numerous other affiliations.
|
