ORLANDO, Fla. — October 14, 2025 — Several of Central Florida’s top law enforcement and corrections leaders are among 25 statewide graduates of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s (FDLE) Chief Executive Seminar — one of the state’s most prestigious leadership programs for criminal justice professionals according to a press release distributed by FDLE.
Graduates from the region include Chief Stanley Murray of the Eatonville Police Department, Deputy Chief Keith Neely of the Orange County Corrections Department, and Chief Rick Francis of the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. Each represents a unique perspective in Central Florida’s justice landscape — from small-town community policing to large-scale corrections management and county-wide law enforcement strategy.
Held in Tallahassee, the three-week seminar brought together executives from across Florida to examine the future of public safety leadership. Coursework explored trust-based leadership, social media management, officer wellness, stress reduction, and succession planning — all against the backdrop of evolving public expectations of law enforcement transparency and accountability.
The Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute, established by the Legislature in 1990 and housed within FDLE, designed the program to help senior leaders adapt to the complex realities facing 21st-century policing. It also reflects a growing recognition that the future of justice hinges not only on policy and enforcement, but on culture, communication, and trust.
“Chiefs and corrections leaders today are managing more than crime — they’re managing people, perceptions, and partnerships,” said an FDLE spokesperson. “Programs like this ensure Florida’s law enforcement leadership is ready to meet those demands.”
For Eatonville’s Chief Murray, the appointment carries special meaning. As the head of one of Central Florida’s most historically significant towns — the nation’s oldest incorporated Black municipality — Murray’s participation underscores the importance of community-rooted leadership in statewide law enforcement circles.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Neely’s inclusion highlights the expanding role of correctional leadership in broader criminal justice reform, while Chief Francis continues to represent Seminole County’s emphasis on modernizing its community engagement and officer training initiatives.
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