Eastern Florida Names Former Sheriff Parker to Top Public Safety Post

Former Brevard County Sheriff Jack Parker has been named to direct public safety academic programs and campus security at Eastern Florida State College.

He will serve as Associate Vice President for the Institute of Public Safety and Security, returning to the alma mater where he studied before and during his 30-year career in law enforcement.

“Jack Parker is among the most respected and distinguished law enforcement officials in Florida and has devoted his life to protecting the residents of Brevard County,” said Eastern Florida President, Dr. Jim Richey.

“He will play an important role at the college, ensuring that our campuses are safe and using his experience to educate the next generation of police officers, firefighters and other public safety professionals. We’re proud to have him join us.”

Parker, who served two-terms as Brevard County Sheriff from 2005-2013, said he is excited about his new career in higher education.

"The opportunity with Eastern Florida unites two of my passions, helping young people succeed and ensuring their safety," he said. "To be part of this incredible team is something I am really looking forward to."

Parker will head the college’s Institute of Public Safety, which is based on the Melbourne campus and offers about 20 programs in law enforcement, criminal justice, emergency medical services and fire science.

The Institute is home to the Law Enforcement Academy, Brevard Police Testing and Selection Center, Corrections Academy, Fire Science Academy and Emergency Medical Services Academy.

Parker is uniquely qualified to lead the Institute, having earned State of Florida Certification as a police officer, corrections officer and firefighter, making him one of the few public safety officials in the state with that distinction.

Parker will also lead an Eastern Florida security force of nearly 50 officers that patrols its Titusville, Cocoa, Melbourne and Palm Bay campuses where more than 30,000 students attend classes annually.

He will work closely with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office and local police departments to strengthen campus safety as part of an enhanced college-law enforcement partnership announced earlier this year.

Under the plan, Eastern Florida has opened police substations on each of its campuses and is taking other steps to improve the coordination of security and emergency response measures.

Parker’s position represents a homecoming for him.

He graduated from the Brevard Community College Corrections Academy in 1983 and earned his Associate’s Degree from BCC in 1986.

Brevard Community College was renamed Eastern Florida State College on July 1 to reflect is heightened status as an institution now offering four-year Bachelor’s Degrees.

Parker went on to gain a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Central Florida, and graduate from the Orlando Law Enforcement Academy and Orlando Firefighting Academy.

He served as a Sergeant, Patrol Major, Jail Commander and Director of Administration with the Brevard Sheriff’s Office from 1983-1997, when he became Brevard County’s Director of Public Safety.

As Director of Public Safety he played a central role in providing emergency services when three hurricanes struck the Space Coast during a six week period in 2004, crippling the area.

Parker was elected Brevard County Sheriff in 2004 and compiled an impressive record. It includes:

• Using special tents to house inmates to stem overcrowding and constructing a new mental health and medical dormitory at the Brevard County Jail in projects that saved taxpayers $120 million.
• Implementing partnerships with local police departments to create a “Game Over Task Force” targeting violent criminals and gang members, reducing violent crime.
• Creating a Sexual Offender Unit to notify citizens of where sex offenders live, ensure they comply with the law and track down and arrest those who do not.
• Made fighting methamphetamine production a priority, teaming with other agencies to shut down more than 100 meth labs and leading the state in meth lab closures from 2005-07.
• Taking deputies out of administration jobs and putting them on the streets to increase neighborhood patrols.

Parker has also been involved in a number of community organizations, including the Brevard Community College Foundation, United Way of Brevard, Crosswinds Youth Services and the Boys and Girls Clubs.