By Matt Mauney | Associate Editor
Looking at his credentials, it seems like a natural fit.
With 16 years with the Plant City Police Department in a variety of roles, Steven Singletary is the 23rd chief of police for the agency, for which he has spent his entire career. Before that, he worked for nine years in the U.S. Air Force as a military officer.
Singletary replaces Bill McDaniel, who will take the newly created position of assistant city manager of public safety after a 27-year career in law enforcement (see story above). Currently serving as the interim police chief, Singletary officially assumes the position Jan. 7.
“It’s truly an honor,” Singletary says.
RIGHT MAN FOR THE JOB
As the first officer McDaniel hired, Singletary has had the opportunity to learn from his predecessor throughout his career.
“There were certainly others here (who) were qualified, and I’m sure plenty of others outside of the agency that would jump at the chance to be in this position, but I’m thankful that Chief McDaniel had the faith in me to fill this position,” he says.
Singletary started with the PCPD in 1996 as a patrol officer, before becoming a field training officer a few years later. After a year in that position, he elected to join the Street Crimes Unit, where he served for a few years before McDaniel selected him to join the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force.
Upon returning to the PCPD, Singletary worked in the Criminal Investigations Unit as a stolen vehicle/property detective. After being promoted to sergeant, he moved back to where he started — the patrol division — where he served as the patrol sergeant for a squad of 10 officers.
From there, he transferred back to the Street Crimes Unit a few years later, serving as a sergeant for that department, before being promoted to lieutenant and transferring back to the patrol division as a shift commander. He served in that position for about a year, before McDaniel promoted him to captain, which forced him to move to a new area in the department — Information Services.
Singletary earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from St. Leo University and, shortly after, learned McDaniel would be retiring a few years earlier than expected.
“I’ve grown up in this agency from start to finish, and after working in every division, I have a broad knowledge of what goes on here and what this community wants from this police department and the services we need to provide,” Singletary says.
A LONG WAY
As one can imagine, the operations at the Plant City Police Department run much differently than when Singletary started in December 1996.
“When I started, we didn’t have computers in the cars, and we didn’t have the radio system we have today,” he says of the system that allows the PCPD officers to communicate with other agencies. “Having that technology makes the job easier and allows us to better protect the community we serve.”
Singletary says because of these technologies and the people who work at the PCPD, the agency has earned a reputation of excellence.
“We’ve become one of the most professional law enforcement agencies in the country,” he says. “That’s something that attracted me when I first came here — how this agency carries itself in a professional manner.”
When it comes to any changes he would like to make, Singletary says although any agency can improve, his is in top shape.
“We know what is required and what is expected of us, and we try to do everything we can to meet those expectations,” he says.
FINDING HIS HOMETOWN
As a self-proclaimed “Air Force brat,” Singletary moved around a lot growing up. By the time he got settled in, he would be someplace new.
A year after joining the Plant City Police Department, Singletary moved to the community he served and protected on a daily basis.
It is here where he met and eventually married his wife, Courtney, a teacher at Durant High School.
“When we were dating, everywhere we went, whether it was Walmart or Fred’s, everyone knew her because she grew up here,” Singletary says of his wife. “I never had that feeling, and seeing that made me want to have a place that I could truly call home. I fell in love with this community.”
Singletary has called Plant City home for 15 years and says he sees an advantage in living in the place that he protects, having a stronger familiarity with this community than someone that may not go about their day-to-day life here.
“I truly am a part of the community where I live, work and play,” he says. “That does benefit me here and is certainly one benefit with my new position as chief of police.”
When not on duty, Singletary enjoys working out and staying in shape at the Plant City Family YMCA, which gives him a chance to wind down from the many stresses the job entails.
Singletary is also a proud father of three boys. His oldest, Kenny, recently graduated from Central Michigan University, while Jordan is a senior at Durant. Mason, a 1-year-old, is the couple’s youngest.
“I stay busy chasing a 1-year-old around the house,” Singletary says with a grin. “That keeps me young.”
It doesn’t take long after stepping foot in Singletary’s office to see his other passion — Alabama football.
With parents from Alabama, Singletary grew up a huge Crimson Tide fan and has remained one ever since. With Alabama prepared to face undefeated Notre Dame in the BCS National Championship game Jan. 7, this has been an exciting football year for Singletary.
“We’ve had some bad years in the past but have been doing well over the past few years,” he says. “It will be nice when they beat Notre Dame to win another national championship.”.” >http://denizcilerkulubu.com/poluchenie-deneg-v-dolg.php