by Chuck Seaver, South Lake Tablet
Clermont Police Chief Chuck Broadway recently completed his term as President of the Florida Police Chiefs Association (FPCA). The FPCA is one of the largest state police chief’s associations in the United States with a membership of more than one thousand law enforcement executives and members throughout the State of Florida. The FPCA serves municipal police departments, airport police, college and university police, tribal community police, as well as railroad and port authority agencies. Membership participation represents every region of the State of Florida, including state and county agencies along with private business and security firms.
The association’s original roots date back to 1952 with a mission statement to promote legislation that would enhance public security by providing superior police protection for the residents and visitors of the State of Florida. Today’s mission has expanded to provide better communication, education, and training for the various police and security agencies throughout the State of Florida. The FPCA maintains a strong presence in Tallahassee and regularly testifies on legislative issues. Members are frequently recognized by the legislative leaders to provide insight into public safety issues and problems facing the criminal justice system.
When asked about his accomplishments as the presiding leader of the Association, Chief Broadway is quick to point out that no one accomplishes anything on their own. “First, I would like to thank my command staff, agency members, City of Clermont leaders, and my family for the support that provided me with the ability to serve this past year. The presidential term required a lot of travel throughout the state, including Tallahassee, on several occasions to meet with lawmakers and lobbyists for relevant issues to law enforcement. I will always value and respect the team that is the FPCA, because together we are a force multiplier,” says Broadway.
During Chief Broadway’s term, membership of the FPCA swelled with seventy-two new members in the last quarter of 2023 alone, and the training conferences now draw as many participants in the winter as in the summer. Chief Broadway advocated for a proactive membership engagement at all levels of law enforcement command while fostering additional partnership relations in the community.
In conjunction with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the Florida Sheriffs Association, the FPCA team launched a Post-Critical Incident Seminar (PCIS) program. The program is a statewide initiative to provide law enforcement officers and spouses with peer-to-peer counseling, to find healthy ways to cope with stress and accumulated trauma. Supported by the FPCA and the Florida Police Chiefs Education and Research Foundation, this program marks a significant stride in addressing the mental well-being of law enforcement officers. “Feedback from the inaugural seminar in Orlando was extraordinary, with many suggesting that every officer who experiences trauma should attend. One officer even said that the seminar gave his life purpose again, and likely saved his life,” says Broadway. Multiple studies have been compiled and agree that the average police officer experiences 118-125 incidents of critical, traumatic experiences during the longevity of the officer’s 20-25 year career compared to the average citizen experiencing 2-5 such incidents in a lifetime.
First Help, an organization that tracks law enforcement and other first responder suicides from a variety of sources, released a report in March of this year that revealed a staggering number of 1,287 public safety personnel suicides nationwide during the 2016 to 2022 reporting period. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, in a 2022 report, identified 32 suicides from 22 law enforcement agencies reporting nationwide. “It is paramount that we recognize and assist our officers in maintaining not only the best physical condition that they can achieve, but the best and healthiest mental condition as well,” says Broadway.
Chief Broadway outlines another program, “New Chief’s Training,” that was a collaborative effort coupled with the support from state lawmakers during his presidency. The program is the first of its kind in the state and secured funding from state legislators. The forty-hour course mandate began in March of this year and applies to recently appointed chiefs of police (3 years of service or less). Newly appointed chiefs will be required to complete the course within one year of their appointment. The course focuses on providing new chiefs with an understanding of many of those critical issues that they will face and will include interaction with other chiefs and city officials from whose experience they may learn.
Another challenge being met head on by law enforcement leaders across the nation is the recruitment and retention of new officers. Negative approaches to law enforcement incidents by some media outlets and competitive salary ranges have made recruiting difficult over the last few years. Chief Broadway is exploring ideas that include having each chief in the state of Florida select a community member that can help influence others in their respective communities to foster an interest in law enforcement. “Be the change that you want to see in your community” is the message that Broadway wants to bring to potential police candidates. “We need to influence others to become interested in the joy and satisfaction of helping people in their community by serving in the law enforcement profession,” says Broadway. Chief Broadway, who was the keynote speaker for the FDLE’s graduating agent class of 2024, has faced challenges of recruiting and retention in his department in the past. “Currently, we are fully staffed except 3-4 sworn positions. Our application, background process and field training programs ensure that we hire and retain the best of the best,” says Broadway.
The Clermont Police Department, until recently, was the highest-paying law enforcement agency in Lake County. With a starting range between $53,000 and $55,120, depending on experience, the agency now finds itself lagging behind agencies such as the Lady Lake Police Department. The Lady Lake City Council approved a 30% pay increase for its sworn officers in the fall of 2023, bringing the current starting pay to $62,000. Lady Lake has a current population of 16,179 people compared to Clermont’s population of 50,383. Agency size in comparison is equally out of balance with Lady Lake employing 39 sworn police officers compared to Clermont’s 89 officers. “I support the union in its attempt to garnish a higher pay range for both starting and seasoned salaries. We must maintain a competitive compensation and benefits package to not only entice our new heroes in recruiting but retain our seasoned heroes as well. There are also several intangibles such as creating an environment and a culture whereas our employees are valued, appreciated and their input is validated as they are a critical part of the Clermont Police Department’s mission and success,” says Broadway. The Clermont Police Officers and Sergeants Association Local 6013/ 6014, International Union of Police Association is currently in contract negotiations with city leaders. Union President Robert Corbett was unavailable for comment at press time.
When asked what he had learned during his one-year term as FPCA President, Broadway pointed out the opportunity to learn about other aspects of law enforcement throughout the state’s region. “It was a pleasure and a learning opportunity to see what other agencies, for example in the panhandle and south Florida, do to meet the needs of the community. Although we are one state, different regions of the state require different approaches to cultural, seasonal, and geographic demands. The experience also reminded me of how blessed and honored I am to have the opportunity to serve in this capacity. It made me very thankful for my own department and city after seeing other parts of the state. I am very blessed to be a part of the Clermont family,” says Broadway.
Chief Broadway is a twenty-eight-year law enforcement veteran beginning his career in the New York City Police Department in 1996 with service to the Gainesville Police Department beginning in 2002 and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in 2004 before joining the ranks of the Clermont Police Department in 2010. Chief Broadway has built a legacy in the community that includes the support of his staff and his involvement in the community with events that range from the recent Summer Youth Basketball Camp, Coffee with a Cop gatherings, and the Special Olympics Torch Run, just to name a few.
