Chief Val Demings

Valdez 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 has also completed the Southern Police Institute Command Officer’s Development Course.

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, Val 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. Val has worked many assignments throughout her career, including assignments in the West Patrol Division, the Criminal Investigation Division, Crime Prevention, Explorer and Cadet Unit, Public Information Office, Internal Affairs, and as Commander of 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. Chief Demings currently serves as the Orlando Police Department Chief of Police.  In addition to her regular job assignments, Val 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 numerous social service activities, which include the following:

Saint Mark A.M.E. Church, Steward; Trustee; President of the Women’s Missionary Society; (Chief Demings has participated in overseas mission trips to Peru and Haiti.) Chairperson of the Christian Social Relations Committee; Chairperson of the Committee on Global Housing and Homelessness; Choir Member; Chairperson of the Annual Church Women’s Conference; Delta Sigma Theta Public Service Sorority; Chaplain; Chairperson of the Social Action Committee; Parliamentarian; Central Florida Police Athletic League, Chairman; Vice President of Board of Directors; YMCA Black 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, as well as numerous other affiliations.