ORLANDO, FL (Tuesday, November 27, 2007) – Today, Mayor Buddy Dyer announced the succession plan for the Orlando Police Department (OPD).

After nearly 30 years with the department and five years serving as Orlando Police Chief, Michael McCoy has announced his retirement from the Orlando Police Department.

Mayor Buddy Dyer has appointed Deputy Chief Val Demings as Police Chief to oversee the day-to-day operations of the department and serve as chief counsel to the Mayor in matters of public safety. Chief Demings has been a member of the Orlando Police Department for more than 23 years and has been serving as Deputy Chief for the last 2 years. Demings appointment is of historical significance as she will be Orlando’s first female police chief.

“We have worked relentlessly to combat an increase in violent crime. We’ve put resources in place, put new police boots on the ground and sent a message to criminals that crime will not be tolerated in our community. And today that message has a powerful, new voice,” said Mayor Dyer. “I am confident in Chief Demings ability to lead OPD, effectively combating the crime of today and ensuring the safety of our community tomorrow.”

Demings has a proven track record in nearly every facet and function of law enforcement operations such as field patrol, criminal investigations, strategic intelligence, internal investigations, airport services, crime prevention, tactical operations, neighborhood bicycle patrol operations and drug enforcement. Furthermore, she brings extensive background with training from the FBI National Academy and the Southern Police Institute Command Officer’s Development Course, and numerous leadership roles with community service organizations.

“My first priority is continuing to aggressively combat violent crime and changing the face of the communities that are vulnerable to crime,” said Demings. “I believe if we can take community policing to a new level -- making the police the community and the community the police--we will see a dramatic reduction in violent crime.”

Demings appointment as Police Chief will come before the Orlando City Council on December 3.