School District honors Police Chief and Swears in New Command
A changing of the guard this afternoon during the meeting of the Citrus County School Board. After more than 25 years in law enforcement, School District Police Chief, Buddy Grant was honored for his service to the Citrus County School District.
Among family, friends, and co-workers, Superintendent Sam Himmel presented Chief Grant with a retirement badge and had some farewell remarks for his new life of retirement. “After the tragedy at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas, when the state was putting new safety mandates in place, I knew we couldn’t do all of this without someone from law enforcement. So, I called Buddy, who was my only choice for our Chief of Police. When Buddy walks into the schools, you feel a sense of safety and that is exactly what we needed. With what he has done in our school system, it has certainly taken school safety to a higher level.”
Some of our school district guardians, who Chief Grant oversees, presented him with a plaque which included the district’s official police badge and an inscription that reads, For your dedication to the safety of the Students, Staff, and Facilities of the Citrus County School District. Congratulations on your Retirement.
“I could not have picked a better place to finish out my career,” says Chief Grant. I’ve been blessed and humbled to be able to serve this organization as the first Police Chief and I thank the Superintendent and Board members for this wonderful opportunity.”
School Board member, Thomas Kennedy, swore in David Vincent as School District Police Chief, who had his family by his side.
Vincent has more than 27 years’ experience in law enforcement and has served as the Captain of the Special Operations Division, School Resource Officer and SRO Supervisor, special investigations, and Lieutenant/Captain over Education and Professional Standards – including the Public Safety Training Division and Academy at WTC.
Vincent is looking forward to the challenge of his new role and seeing what he can do with his three decades of law enforcement experience. “I am extremely grateful for the trust and confidence Mrs. Himmel has placed in me to fill this important role in our school district,” said Vincent. “I am also looking forward to reconnecting with the many staff members and administrators that I knew as an SRO and working together to make our school district the safest in Florida.”
Chief Vincent has been working with Chief Grant since November 2nd learning the nuances of this very important role within the District. Chief Grant’s official last day is Tuesday, December 22nd.