Captain Chris Mulligan
By: Sharon Aron Baron
The City of Parkland chose an Air Force Veteran with years of S.W.A.T training to lead the district as its newest police captain.
On Friday, Captain Chris Mulligan was chosen out of three potential picks by City Manager Bob Payton.
“Captain Mulligan took firm command of the job and it was quickly apparent that his 16 years of S.W.A.T. training, his work with our school principals over the summer, his preparations for the first day of school, and his propensity for community outreach would make for the safest, most seamless transition,” said Payton. “As we were looking for someone who could do the job, he actually was doing it.”
Former Captain Jan Jordan was forced to leave the position after criticisms in the aftermath of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas school shootings.
According to the Sun Sentinel, the Coral Springs’ Rescue Task Force medics were eager to get inside the school to help but were thwarted by Jordan. Deputy Chief Michael McNally said he asked six times for permission to enter “and my requests were denied.”
Jordan was also criticized for ordering deputies to set up a perimeter rather than storm the school and neutralize the shooter.
The city’s current contract with the Broward Sheriff’s Office for police services provides for 42 personnel, including one Captain, and is being modified to add a sergeant whose sole function will be to oversee school resources officers at the five Broward County Public Schools located in Parkland.
Residents will have opportunity to meet the new district chief on Wednesday, August 8 at Parkland Night Out—an event organized in part by Mulligan.
Mulligan has served in the United States Air Force, Army and Army National Guard, and has been with BSO since 1999. With BSO he has served as a member of the Special Weapons and Tactics team – S.W.A.T. from 1999 to 2015 and has held numerous leadership roles including Deputy Sheriff, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Executive Officer.
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