Parkland BSO Captain Chris Mulligan Announces His Retirement

by Jill Fox June 16, 2021

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Captain Chris Mulligan

By Jill Fox

After taking his post nearly three years ago, Captain Chris Mulligan announced his retirement from the Broward Sheriff’s Office.

“The time is right –the district is in a really good place and has the strong leadership to continue,” said Mulligan.

In 2018, Mulligan joined the Parkland district during a time of uncertainty. Former Captain Jan Jordan was forced to resign for her handling of the police response after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting.

“Two weeks after the MSD shooting, it was a very challenging environment with a lot of hurdles,” said Mulligan, whose primary focus was regaining the trust of the community and ultimately moving forward.

He came to Parkland from South Broward after receiving a phone call from the colonel.

“He said I could be an asset for the organization and the community,” said Mulligan, who was told to get in, do the work, and get it back on track.

Chosen just six months later to lead the district as its new police captain, Mulligan felt he could be a visible part of the community since he lived nearby and had a vested interest in Parkland.

It was the support from the district, city staff, city managers, and commissioners that Mulligan felt aided in achieving their success. He also mentioned how the residents, HOAs, and community activists worked together.

“We’ve been able to mend a lot of fences and build a lot of relationships within the community,” said Mulligan, who feels that he’s leaving behind a very good team and whoever comes in next will be just as committed to providing the highest level of service that they can.

Captain Mulligan has changed the culture of Parkland BSO,” said Mayor Rich Walker. “He will really be missed.”

“I’ve spent 36 years with the district, and we have been fortunate enough to accomplish a lot of goals together,” said Mulligan. “Now, I have the opportunity to do some of the stuff I want to on a personal level.”

Mulligan’s wife of 17 years, Veronica, also recognizes it’s time for a break and is happy to move on to their next chapter.

Law runs in their family as Mulligan met his wife at a work function when she was based in the Department of Detention at the main jail. His daughter, Sarah, works for a local law firm, and Stephanie is a Coral Springs Firefighter.

Upon retirement, the captain is looking forward to traveling and enjoying his North Carolina home more often, as well as spending more time with his wife, their five grown daughters, three grandchildren, and dog, Brody.

I’ve been fortunate enough to work with people who recognized what needed to be done and wanted to accomplish that, said Mulligan.

“We have managed to regain the trust of the community and move forward.”

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Jill Fox

Jill Fox is an Emmy Award-winning writer and producer. She has worked in public relations and television for over 20 years. Fox lives in Parkland with her husband and their two children.