Meet Sheriff McNeil
Background
Walter A. McNeil was elected Sheriff of Leon County in November 2016. In his distinguished 35-year career as a public servant, Sheriff McNeil has led the fight against crime in Tallahassee. He was tapped to lead two state agencies under former Gov. Charlie Crist. During his three years as Corrections Secretary, he put in place Florida's first prison reentry programs – reducing the inmate recidivism rate by nearly 5%.
Sheriff McNeil went on to lead the Tallahassee Police Department for 10 years. His community policing efforts to control gangs, drugs, and juvenile crime earned him numerous honors, including the Tallahassee NAACP Humanitarian Award, Public Sector Business Person of the Year, and the United States DEA Award.
He’s been a good neighbor - giving his time and talents to the organizations making a difference in our lives. He chaired Leon County chapter of the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk and served as honorary co-chair of Leon's March of Dimes Walk America campaign. Additionally, he has served on the boards of the local Boys and Girls Town, Chamber of Commerce and Refuge House. The Sheriff and his family are active members of New Mount Zion AME Church.
An International Leader
As a leader in the law enforcement community, Sheriff McNeil has traveled extensively giving voice to issues of concern to law enforcement officers.
In 2005, he traveled to Reykjavik, Iceland where he engaged Icelandic law enforcement command staff officers in an exchange of ideas concerning best practices in Community Oriented Policing.
During the summer of 2006, Sheriff McNeil was selected by the Anti-Defamation League to serve as a member of a team of law enforcement leaders who spent a week in Israel receiving briefings on the tactics and strategies of the Israeli Military to prevent acts of terrorism.
In 2012, as President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Sheriff McNeil traveled to Lyon, France where he met with the Secretary General of Interpol and discussed the framework for a partnership between the International Association of Chiefs of Police and Interpol to work cooperatively to prevent acts of terrorism, human trafficking, cyber crimes, and other global policing issues.
Fighting for a Safer Community
Sheriff, Leon County Sheriff's Office
Chief, Tallahassee Police Department
Chief, Quincy Police Department, Florida
Secretary, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice
Secretary, Florida Department of Corrections
Member, Florida Parole Commission Qualifications Committee
President, International Association of Chiefs of Police
Consultant, Intergovernmental Research (IIR)
Consultant, United States Department of Homeland Security Advisory Council
Consultant, United States Customs and Border Protection Integrity Panel
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