Orlando Names First Female Chief

ORLANDO, Fla. --

The Orlando Police Department is under the direction of a female police chief for the first time in its history.

It's also just the second time an African-American has led the department's 1,000 employees.

Deputy Chief Val Demings was promoted to the position by Mayor Buddy Dyer. Her husband, Jerry Demings, was the police chief from 1998 until 2002.

Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty is expected to announce that retiring Orlando Police Chief Michael McCoy will replace Jerry Demings as the county's public safety director.

It all began with the announcement of Val Deming's promotion on Tuesday morning.

"It is my pleasure to introduce the next Orlando police chief, Val Demings," Dyer said.

Val Demings has been with the Orlando Police Department for more than 20 years and has been in command of every division of the department at one time or another. She commanded the airport patrol during the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

After 30 years of service, including five years as chief, McCoy will move to Orange County and oversee public safety and the Orange County Jail.

Val Demings said her first priority is to get a grip on violent crime in a city that had a record murder rate last year.

"I'm going to take a look at the agency, the crime stats, view those, study those, analyze those and go forward with exactly what we need to change at the agency to make a bigger impact on crime," Val Demings said.

"Val ... joined the police academy, came through the ranks. She deserved it. She's well experienced. She has all of the qualifications, and she's got great people skills," McCoy said.

Jerry Demings is currently running for Orange County Sheriff, and if he wins the race next year, he and his wife would be the heads of the two largest law enforcement agencies in Central Florida.

The Orlando City Council will vote on the appointment of Val Demings on Dec. 3. That is expected to easily be approved. Crotty will announce the new public safety director appointment at a news conference at 1:30 p.m.

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