Bonner and Royal have Army backgrounds.
On June 13, two new recruits were sworn in as officers in the Plant City Police Department.
At the ceremony, With right hands raised, the two took the oath sworn by all PCPD officers: “I, [name], a citizen of the State of Florida, and the United States of America, do solemnly swear, or affirm, that I will support, protect, and defend the Constitution and government of the United States of America, the State of Florida, and the City of Plant City. That I am duly qualified to hold the office under the Constitution of the State, and that I will well and faithfully perform the duties of a law enforcement officer on which I am about to enter. So help me God.”
The officers agreed to provide some information about themselves.
“I’m a proud U.S. Army veteran,” Officer Kyle Royal said. “I served as a combat medic. It was a challenging role, but it taught me a lot about resilience, teamwork, and the importance of staying calm when it matters most. More than anything, it showed me the value of being there for others when they need you most. After completing my military service, I knew I wanted to continue serving—and Plant City felt like the right place to do it. I was drawn to the sense of community, the hometown pride, and the strong values that remind me a lot of the camaraderie I experienced in the Army. Today, I’m honored to serve as a police officer here in Plant City, and I take a lot of pride in protecting and supporting the people who call this place home—just like I do.”
“I was raised in Bartow, where I developed a strong sense of community and service,” Officer Quinn Bonner said. “In 2016, I joined the Army National Guard and have proudly served in a field artillery unit for over nine years. That same year, I began my undergraduate studies at Florida Gulf Coast University, earning a degree in Entrepreneurship in 2020. In 2021, I further expanded my skill set by attending CDA Technical Institute, where I earned certifications in Commercial Diving and Underwater Welding. My experience during Hurricanes Milton and Helene, where I worked alongside various law enforcement agencies through the National Guard, inspired me to pursue a career in law enforcement. I chose the Plant City Police Department because its close-knit, community-oriented environment reminded me of my own hometown. I witnessed firsthand the positive impact that dedicated officers can have on a community, and I am committed to making that same difference through my service.”
To attain to the PCPD, Bonner and Royal both had to, among other things, pass a strict background investigation and a polygraph (lie detector test). To pass orientation training, the two had to demonstrated proficiency in firearms training, use of force, TASER training, defensive tactics, active shooter training, pursuit driving, crash investigation, policy review, and report writing, among other things. After being sworn in, they began their 16-weeks of field training, which is on-the-job with senior officers. The goal of the PCPD’s meticulous training is to place in the field the finest officers for the citizens of Plant City.
“These are both exceptional men, and PCPD is very pleased they chose to serve the citizens of our community!” PCPD Lieutenant Tiffany Tester, commented.
