Daytona Beach, FL - There's been a lot of talk about the possible replacement for current Daytona Beach Police Chief Craig Capri who is scheduled to retire at the end of the year. Current Deputy Chief Jakari Young is at the top of many lists, including Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood.
Young was already a detective when Chitwood took over as Police Chief 14 years ago. Chitwood posted his opinion on his Facebook page:
About 14 years ago, I arrived at the Daytona Beach Police Department and met an impressive young detective who quickly proved he was on his way to accomplishing big things in law enforcement.
His name was Jakari Young, and today I believe he’s earned the opportunity to prove himself as Daytona Beach’s next chief of police.
Recently, some discussion and news coverage of Deputy Chief Young’s fitness for the job have focused, in part, on his race. Without a doubt, swearing in the first Black police chief in the history of Daytona Beach would represent a significant step forward for our community and another sign of progress in building a law enforcement agency that’s more representative of the city it serves.
However, to reduce Deputy Chief Young’s qualifications to the color of his skin is to ignore the many outstanding qualities that I believe have prepared him to lead any police department in America.
With a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, and successful completion of the FBI National Academy, the Senior Management Institute for Police, the Southern Police Institute and the Florida Leadership Academy, Young’s qualifications on paper are as complete as anyone could look for in a police chief.
But Jakari Young is more than a list of degrees, promotions and accomplishments on paper.
Ever since I met that young detective, I’ve witnessed first-hand his dedication to service and his passion for the law enforcement profession. He is among the most driven, laser-focused and intelligent police leaders I have ever encountered in my 33 years of policing.
Throughout his career, he’s excelled in every assignment and pushed himself to perform at the highest level in every training course, every exam, every evaluation. I know he will expect every member of his department to pursue the same high standards.
The Daytona Beach Police Department has made huge strides under the leadership of Chief Craig Capri. All of us in Volusia County owe Chief Capri our sincere appreciation for a job well done as he moves on to the next chapter in his life. While his retirement is a loss for the City of Daytona Beach, it’s also an opportunity to select another outstanding police chief who will lead the department into its next successful chapter. Jakari Young is the transformational leader to do that.
I know in my heart that Jakari Young will take the oath as police chief someday in the future, and my sincere hope is that it happens right here in Daytona Beach.
