With an interest in microbiology, and degree in hand, I was hired by one of DEP’s predecessor agencies, the Department of Environmental Regulation, in December 1986. I chose the agency because of the variety of opportunities, challenges and work environments it offered.

Variety it provides. My work day can go from writing reports, completing paperwork, reading technical documents and attending meetings to rushing out the door to respond to an emergency that may require me to dress in hooded chemical resistant clothing with supplied air for a major spill response.

As the only full-time Bureau of Emergency Response team member and supervisor of DEP’s on-call team in the Florida Keys, I’m involved in all levels of planning, spill prevention and environmental emergencies. Last year, nearly 150 incidents required immediate attention.

I constantly challenge myself to keep up with all aspects of my evolving duties and responsibilities--administrative proficiency, technical skills with monitoring equipment and forensic sampling, keeping informed about regulation changes that affect hazardous materials shipping, forensic sampling and cleanup procedures.

DEP empowers staff by providing training, equipment, and the authority to make on-the-spot decisions to best protect the people and the environment. Over the years, I’ve been privileged to work with colleagues who have been generous with their time, knowledge and experience. The reward for helping people, protecting one of Florida’s most ecologically sensitive areas and working with people who care about the environment have made DEP an ideal career choice for me.

I have always held the belief that since the average person works about 1,900 hours every year, it’s important to either enjoy what you do or find a new line of work. Enjoying what I do is a huge part of why what was supposed to be a temporary job with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Division of Law Enforcement has lasted five years.

I was happily retired when I received a phone call asking me to fill in as Quartermaster for DEP’s Division of Law Enforcement. I agreed, but only on a temporary basis. Now, five years later, it has evolved into a very long, but very gratifying, temporary position.

As Quartermaster and Fleet Manager, I am in charge of the annual procurement of new vehicles for the law enforcement fleet, including emergency equipment. When appropriate, I make sure the vehicles are equipped with prisoner partitions, LED light bars, strobes, sirens and spot lights. I am also responsible for purchasing uniforms and duty gear such as pistol belts, holsters, ammunition cases, handcuffs and protective bullet proof vests for all officers. being a native Floridian, I take pride knowing that I am involved with protecting and conserving Florida’s rich and unique ecosystems.

They say you should take pride in your work product, because it’s a reflection on you. I agree with that wholeheartedly, and am eager to face the many opportunities, and sometimes challenges, that keep me busy each day. However, I don’t mind being busy because I am proud to work hard, and to be a part of and support the DEP team, which works diligently to maintain the many state parks, wetlands, greenways, coastal beaches and wildlife habitat each and everyday.

I have served with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Division of Law Enforcement (DLE) for four years. Having come to the state as a retired police lieutenant from a large county police department just outside of Washington D.C., with twenty-two years of experience and an educational background in Criminal Justice and Computer Science, my introduction to DEP came shortly after my arrival to Florida. The DEP/DLE’s reputation as a professional and progressive law enforcement agency and the allure of protecting Florida’s environment influenced my decision to join DEP.

Our squad consists of six employees and one lieutenant, within the Criminal Investigations Bureau. We cover nine counties in South Florida where investigators are challenged almost daily with new cases. Every investigation presents obstacles such as an uncooperative witness or a “who done it” with few leads. However, you achieve a sense of pride when the puzzle is solved.

In one memorable example, an extensive hazardous waste case brought together DEP’s entire Law Enforcement Division as one team. Cooperation among the Florida Park Police (DEP’s uniformed division), the Criminal Investigations Bureau and the Bureau of Emergency Response, resulted in the cleanup and restoration of contaminated state lands and a developer was charged and convicted. He faced a possible sentence of 10 years and $20,000 in fines.

DLE has a strong commitment to Florida’s environment, citizens and visitors, as well as a strong commitment to staff. The administration has created an open environment where employees can express their visions and concerns. If exploring a career in law enforcement with the added benefit of protecting our environment, you will not find a finer organization than DEP.

I began my career with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in March of 2005. I am the first black female to serve as a patrol officer in the Florida state park system. My primary “beat” is St. Andrews State Park. I also patrol Camp Helen, Eden Gardens, Deer Lake, Grayton Beach and Ponce De Leon Springs state parks in northwest Florida. I chose DEP law enforcement because it provides great opportunities to work with the public to protect Florida’s environment.

My work day usually begins with a drive along the sandy beaches of St. Andrews State Park, either by truck or all terrain vehicle (ATV) where I welcome anglers and other park visitors. I educate anglers about size limits and protected marine species such as red snapper and red drum. Some days, I partner with the Bay County Sheriff's Office to patrol the area by helicopter. I also patrol the campgrounds to ensure protection of natural resources and safety of campers and our daily walkers, bicyclists and joggers.

Every day provides me the opportunity to serve the public in a positive, uplifting way and to preserve the environment and its wildlife for future generations. I constantly seek innovative ways to emphasize the importance of resource preservation to the many visitors to our parks.

The best part of my job is that sea oats, wax myrtles, pine trees and palmetto bushes provide walls to an “office” surrounded by the emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrews Bay. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.” being surrounded by such an amazing landscape, you can’t help but to take personal pride in preserving these resources.

Training is a critical part of any agency, particularly in a field like law enforcement, which is why at the DEP Training Center, our guiding principle is, “Let no man’s ghost say my training failed him.”  I personally  learned the importance of training through my experiences in the United States Air Force (as well as my street experience with the Ocala Police Department and Marion County Sheriff’s Office), particularly my deployment in 2002 for Operation Enduring Freedom and Noble Eagle. In 2003, I was hired by DEP to work in their division of law enforcement. 

 Law enforcement is an ever-evolving profession, which is why the staff at DEP’s Training Center continually evaluate, research and develop new training procedures to make sure we stay on top of our game.  We teach both offensive and defensive techniques that help officers survive dangerous encounters.  The most rewarding part of my job is hearing, “I know I can survive this type of encounter,” at the end of a training session. 

The Training Center serves an important role in keeping DEP’s Division of Law Enforcement proactive by making sure our team has the latest equipment and training.  If there’s a new or more effective training tool or technique out there, we intend to know about it and use it.  If more effective tools and equipment become available to law enforcement professionals, we train our staff to use them.  

Our Training Center provides instruction in both traditional classroom settings and via distance training courses to ensure continued law enforcement education. We provide training on a variety of subjects, from CPR/First Aid to defense tactics and firearms to boating and ATV training. It is not unusual to be called on, spur of the moment, to conduct a training for a new hire or reoccurring or recertification training for existing employees. We also continually interact with other federal, state and local agencies to provide the best possible training for our Basic Recruits and established officers. 

As DEP Law Enforcement Officers, we have a diverse and ever changing opportunity to not only represent and protect citizens and visitors to the State of Florida, but to actually make a difference.  The professionalism, aspirations, initiatives and dedication of the people in this agency make me proud to be part of the DEP team.