Deputy Chief Jeffrey J. Schlegel has been confirmed as the next Chief of Police for the Plantation Police Department, following the retirement of Chief Howard Harrison.
Harrison served the city of Plantation for 42 years, including 16 years as Chief of Police.
Chief Schlegel began his career with the Plantation Police Department in 2001 and has since served in nearly every area of law enforcement. Most recently, as Deputy Chief, he oversaw both the Operations and Administration Bureaus, providing direction and supervision to the department’s command staff across Patrol, Investigations, Special Operations, and Support Services.
A veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Chief Schlegel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Florida Atlantic University and a Master of Public Safety from the University of Virginia. He is also a graduate of the University of Louisville’s Command Officers’ Development Course and the FBI National Academy (Session 283).
The Plantation City Charter states that the mayor nominates a police chief, and the city council must vote to confirm, which was a 5-0 vote on Nov. 5.
“We all know Chief Harrison is irreplaceable; there will be no one like him,” Mayor Nick Sortal said. “But part of his legacy is building a very deep bench in the Police Department.
“DC Schlegel is Exhibit A of that, but I’m also excited with his initiative. He’ll make the department his own.”
Each council member interviewed Schlegel and spoke highly of him at his confirmation. They also expressed gratitude for Harrison, who guided the department to multiple state and national accreditations, expanded community policing initiatives, and upheld a culture of integrity and service.
