Kissimmee City Manager appoints new police chief

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — The City of Kissimmee has a new police chief, but it’s a familiar face.

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City Manager Mike Steigerwald announced Friday that Deputy Chief Betty Holland has been appointed to lead the police department.

Chief Holland has been with the Kissimmee Police Department since 2018 when she was hired as the Deputy Chief.

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Before arriving in Kissimmee, Holland spent 30 years in both civilian and law enforcement roles at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

During her time in Polk County, Holland gained experience in a variety of law enforcement fields including criminal investigations, school resource policing, special operations, and training.

“I’m pleased to welcome Betty Holland as our next Chief of Police, one of our most critical leadership positions,” Steigerwald said in a statement. “Given the growth of our police force in recent years, I am especially excited about Chief Holland’s ideas for the continued development of our police force.”

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Steigerwald went on to further highlight Holland’s experience leading the Polk County Sheriff’s Office training academy.

Chief Holland has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Troy University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Professional Leadership from Southeastern University.

She is also a graduate of the Southern Police Institute’s Administrative Officers Course offered by the University of Louisville, as well as Florida State University’s Certified Public Manager Program.

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“It is my honor and privilege to be selected as the new Police Chief,” Holland said in a statement. “It is my vision to always improve the agency and all of its members by continuing to build an environment that allows everyone to reach their full potential, while still obtaining the goals of the city and the police department.”

Holland will begin her term on Saturday, April 29. She’ll be officially sworn in as the city’s 29th Chief of Police at the next regular City Commission meeting on Tuesday, May 2nd.

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