Chief Richard Beary of the University of Central Florida Police Department has been inducted into the Florida Law Enforcement Officers’ Hall of Fame, university officials said.
Beary has served as UCF Police Chief for ten years, serving for forty years in law enforcement under his father, former Maitland and Winter Park police chief, and brother, a former Orange County Sheriff. Chief Beary graduated from the police academy at Seminole State College in 1977 at the age of 18, making him the youngest officer in Florida at the time, UCF said.
“I am humbled and honored to be recognized by my peers and the leadership of the State of Florida,” Beary said in a statement.
“My devotion to community service was instilled in me as a young man, and I hope that during my career I have inspired others to place service above self.”
The Florida Legislature created the hall of fame in 2014 to honor law enforcement officials such as Chief Beary for their service to the Florida public.
Beary also became the president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police in 2014.
“During the next year, he traveled around ten World to advocate for community-oriented policing and to consult with leaders and citizens about policies and best practices,” UCF said.
“The first University chief to ever serve as IACP president, he led the 25,000-member organization during a challenge time of civil unrest and mistrust in the police.”
