麻豆原创鈥檚 associate vice president of public safety recently announced his retirement after 11 years of service to the university and a career defined by leadership, integrity and compassion.

At a celebration held in his honor, Metzger reflected on what has mattered most throughout his decades of service.

鈥淲orking in law enforcement isn鈥檛 always easy, but it鈥檚 the relationships you build along the way that make it all worthwhile.鈥� 鈥� Carl Metzger 鈥�03MS, associate vice president of public safety

鈥淭he one thing that stands out the most is the people,鈥� he says.

Metzger began his career as a patrol officer with the Orlando Police Department, rising through the ranks to become the patrol services bureau commander. In 2014, he joined the 麻豆原创 Police Department (麻豆原创PD) as deputy chief over the operations bureau and was named chief in 2018 following Chief Emeritus Richard Beary鈥檚 retirement. In Summer 2025, Metzger stepped down as chief but continued serving as 麻豆原创鈥檚 associate vice president of public safety.

An Impactful Legacy

As chief, Metzger led 麻豆原创 through public safety responses to multiple hurricanes, managed logistics for high-profile events such as ESPN鈥檚 College GameDay and Fox鈥檚 Big Noon Kickoff, and oversaw the university鈥檚 transition into the Big 12 Conference 鈥� a shift that significantly increased the complexity of game day operations.

He also established key priorities for the department, including enhanced active threat response training and building hardening initiatives. Although 麻豆原创PD officers had already received state-mandated active threat training, Metzger pushed for more immersive, realistic preparation. Under his leadership, officers began participating in annual simulations featuring the sights, sounds and even smells of real-life crisis scenarios 鈥� an approach he says is critical for developing instinctive, second-nature responses.

Metzger further led substantial upgrades to campus security infrastructure, including the installation of additional cameras and access control systems. Today, most campus buildings can be locked down instantly at the push of a button.

At his farewell ceremony, a common theme emerged among guest speakers: Metzger led with compassion, empathy and excellence.

鈥淵ou have led with a steady hand and an open heart, always putting people first,鈥� says Student Government President and Board of Trustees member Luci Blanco at the ceremony. 鈥淵ou have modeled what it means to lead with empathy and to serve with grace, and I think that is the greatest legacy any leader can leave behind.鈥�

Recently appointed 麻豆原创 Chief of Police Robin Griffin-Kitzerow also expressed gratitude for Metzger鈥檚 mentorship and acknowledged she has big shoes to fill.

鈥淪ome shoes aren鈥檛 meant to be filled because they are as unique and special as the person who wore them,鈥� Chief Griffin-Kitzerow says. 鈥淲e can never replace you, but we鈥檒l continue on the path you set and remain grateful for the lessons that inspired our growth and helped make 麻豆原创PD a premier law enforcement agency.鈥�

A Champion for Mental Health

Beyond his operational leadership, Metzger has been a dedicated champion for mental health, consistently advocating for expanded resources to support both the community and law enforcement officers. Under his leadership, 麻豆原创PD became the first law enforcement agency in Central Florida to achieve 100% crisis intervention training for all sworn officers, ensuring they are equipped to respond to individuals experiencing mental health crises with compassion and effectiveness.

He also spearheaded suicide prevention efforts, including hosting QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) trainings for law enforcement and the broader community. His initiatives included wearing green patches during Mental Health Awareness Month, wrapping a police cruiser in green, participating in NAMI鈥檚 annual 5K and organizing a campus walk that raised over $15,000 for suicide prevention. Metzger also served on the boards of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Greater Orlando and Central Florida Cares.

Looking Ahead

Although his retirement closes a remarkable chapter, Metzger鈥檚 impact on 麻豆原创 and the broader community will be felt for years to come.

鈥淭hank you to my public safety family for 11 years of teamwork and service,鈥� Metzger says. 鈥淭ogether, we built what I believe is the most professional campus public safety department in the nation, with a culture of caring and excellence that is second to none.鈥�

The three-time alum of the 麻豆原创 recently took the reins as fire chief of OCFRD 鈥� the largest fire and rescue department in Central Florida and the 26th largest in the nation out of nearly 30,000 departments. OCFRD serves nearly 1.5 million citizens and welcomes over 75 million annual visitors.

Throughout his years with OCFRD, Rios has held just about every field and executive administrative position within the organization. He has nearly three decades of experience in public service and has a background in what he refers to as the trifecta of public safety: corrections, law enforcement and fire services.

The triple Knight earned his doctorate in public affairs, along with both his 产补肠丑别濒辞谤鈥檚 and 尘补蝉迟别谤鈥檚 degrees, from the College of Community Innovation and Education. Rios says his education and experiences at 麻豆原创 were crucial in preparing him to lead one of the largest metropolitan fire departments.

鈥淚t was an invaluable experience at 麻豆原创,鈥� he says. “A lot of my focus through my education was relevant to what we experience here in local government. Everything that I’ve done academically has been building on my knowledge and ability as a practitioner in the field of public safety policy, and it absolutely added a needed perspective as I became a producer of information within the domain of public safety.鈥�

Enhancing Service to the Community

The OCFRD plays a vital role in the community as an all-hazards department, responding to a wide range of emergencies, including providing fire suppression, technical rescues, hazardous materials incidents, pre-hospital care response and community engagement.

“One of the strengths within the public safety community is our ability to adapt to the challenges faced by our community,” he says. “As fire chief, my top priority is the safety and well-being of our citizens, visitors and firefighters. 鈥� Close to three decades ago, Florida adopted me 鈥� specifically Orlando and Orange County 鈥� so this is my way to give back to the community.鈥�

To facilitate this, Rios embraces opportunities for professional learning and interagency collaboration that build upon the traditions of the fire service, aiming to improve the fire department鈥檚 services well into the future. This includes investing in employee education and training to ensure OCFRD can provide the highest level of pre-hospital care, developing new partnerships between first responder departments and law enforcement, as well as a nonstop focus on natural disaster preparedness and response strategy.

鈥淎s a leading fire department, we create opportunities to address these challenges by refining how we perform our core responsibilities,鈥� he says. 鈥淎t the same time, we explore how to propel the future of the fire service by embracing innovation and technology.”

With the department’s range of programs, its employees interact with citizens and law enforcement on a daily basis, fostering a sense of community safety and pride among public safety interests. This is especially true during hurricane season in Central Florida.

鈥淲e live in a state where natural disasters are prevalent,” he says. 鈥淭here’s a lot of training and effort that goes into preparing for every hurricane season. Not only do we prepare for the response and recovery, but we also focus on mitigation: How do we prevent catastrophic events from happening year after year? It’s a yearlong focus on how we improve the condition and the quality of life for our citizens.鈥�

Protecting First Responders鈥� Well-Being

Continuing to provide quality fire and rescue services also requires ensuring that the department鈥檚 workforce is adequately supported, Rios says. Firefighters have a 9% higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer and a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer than the general U.S. population, according to the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety.

鈥淚 am committed to finding solutions within the fire industry, starting here with Orange County Fire Rescue, to reduce the level of carcinogen exposures that firefighters experience because of the inherent job that they have,鈥� he says. 鈥淢any people may not know 鈥� firefighters are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer-related illnesses.鈥�

Another top priority is to ensure that fire service workers have the mental health support they need to continue serving the community. About 20% of firefighters and paramedics meet the criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder at some point during their careers 鈥� a similar rate to military members returning from war, according to a Journal of Occupational Health Psychology study. It鈥檚 especially important to provide resources to help fire and rescue service members process the traumatic events they witness regularly on the job.聽The department鈥檚 collaboration with has been instrumental in providing these services to the workforce through research and development of innovative trauma treatment, as well as delivering peer mental health support training to first responders.

鈥淥ur firefighters are constantly involved in individuals鈥� worst nightmares: They live them on a daily basis,鈥� Rios says. “So, we owe it to them 鈥� in order to have an operational workforce that is ready to respond to the community’s needs 鈥� to focus on the well-being and the mental health of our employees.鈥�

Rios says his education and experiences at 麻豆原创 were crucial in preparing him to lead one of the largest metropolitan fire departments and manage its responsibilities. Today, he gives back to the community, which he considers one of the most rewarding aspects of his job.

鈥淭his can be a tough job, but it鈥檚 one that we love,鈥� says 麻豆原创 Police Chief聽Carl Metzger 鈥�03MS. 鈥淚 welcome our three newest officers, and I have no doubt that the future of this agency will be in great hands with talent like you coming on board.鈥�

The new officers will be assigned to the patrol division upon completion of their field-training program, where they will spend several weeks paired with senior officers to receive hands-on experience out in the field before graduating to solo patrol.

Meet the Officers

• Originally from the Dominican Republic, Jonthy Candelario now calls Orlando home. He graduated from Orlando Christian Prep and served with the Orlando Police Department before joining 麻豆原创. He chose 麻豆原创 because he recognized it was a great place to learn and grow in his career while impacting the community through events and outreach. A fun fact 鈥� Candelario is a basketball referee at the collegiate level.
• Sticking near his hometown roots of Deland, Florida, Patrick Daunt joins 麻豆原创PD after serving with the Oviedo Police Department. He says he understands how transformative and challenging college can be and looks forward to building community relationships. He wants students to feel comfortable and turn to him for help, support and guidance. In his free time, Daunt enjoys playing board games with his children.
• Andres Uzcategui comes to 麻豆原创PD after serving with the Orange County Sheriff鈥檚 Office. He is originally from Venezuela and has always been passionate about helping others in his community, so he was drawn to law enforcement. Uzcategui聽looks forward to working with students, faculty, staff and visitors at 麻豆原创, meeting a new student population every four years. Outside of work, he enjoys working on cars and attending car shows.

A live stream of the swearing-in ceremony can be viewed聽.

The department recognized recipients of its Lifesaving and Of the Year awards, while Chief聽Carl Metzger 鈥�03MS presented the prestigious Chief鈥檚 Award to a longtime staff member. The ceremony also recognized winners of commendations, community partnership awards and physical abilities awards.

After being nominated and voted on by their peers, winners were selected and reviewed by award committee members.

2024 Chief鈥檚, Of the Year and Lifesaving Award Winners

Chief鈥檚 Award: Christine Mouton ’98 ’01MS

With 20 years of dedication to 麻豆原创, Christine Mouton ’98 ’01MS exemplifies visionary, compassionate and effective leadership. Her unwavering commitment transformed Victim Services into a vital resource for those in need, significantly impacting Central Florida communities. Mouton鈥檚 leadership extends far beyond 麻豆原创, making her a key figure in disaster response organizations. She鈥檚 advocated for effective mass casualty responses and the support of families during crises. She鈥檚 responded to and established family and victim resource centers following 9/11, the Pulse nightclub tragedy and the Las Vegas mass casualty incidents. As an expert member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and FBI victim services committees, she helped guide the national response to victim assistance. Mouton鈥檚 extensive knowledge has made her a trusted resource in the Orlando community, addressing victim support and the root causes of violence. One of her most impressive accomplishments was helping develop a dating and domestic violence screening tool that identifies and support victims, creating a lasting impact on the 麻豆原创 community and the Orlando area. Additionally, as Public Safety鈥檚 grant manager, she secured and managed more than $3 million in funding for four departments throughout her career.

Crisis Intervention Officer of the Year: Andres Carbone

Mental health remains a growing concern, with many in the 麻豆原创 community facing challenges more than ever before. Thanks to Andres Carbone鈥檚 quick response to a call about a self-harm attempt, a student received the medical help she needed and was placed in protective custody. A week later, the student reached out to thank Carbone for his help and compassion, sharing that she was going through a tough time and recognized him from previous interactions, which made everything a little easier. Beyond this incident, Carbone also responded to two suicide attempts that resulted in Baker Acts.

Dispatcher of the Year: Grace Ehle

Dispatchers are an invaluable asset, not only supporting their agency and officers, but also serving as the reassuring voice the public depends on in emergencies. Grace Ehle is known for always staying one step ahead 鈥� anticipating the details officers need, checking security camera footage, reviewing prior contacts made or history with law enforcement. She maintains clear, concise communication in every situation, earning deep appreciation from several officers for her work.

DUI Officer of the Year: Isabella Sanchez

Ensuring our roads are safe is a shared responsibility, and the 麻豆原创 Police Department (麻豆原创PD) is dedicated to preventing impaired driving on campus and in the surrounding area. This award, based on statistics, recognizes the officer with the most DUI arrests of the year 鈥� seven in 2024. Although this number may seem modest, such arrests are often limited due to 麻豆原创PD鈥檚 jurisdictional boundaries and participation in county-wide details. Impaired drivers can cause devastating, life-altering crashes, and thanks to Isabella Sanchez鈥檚 efforts, seven potential tragedies were likely prevented.

Field Training Officer of the Year: Roman Watkins

麻豆原创PD sets high expectations for new officers, offering a comprehensive training program that includes eight weeks of classroom instruction followed by three months of field training with an experienced officer. Roman Watkins has consistently been available for all types of training, from supporting new officers-in-training on the night shift to assisting his squad and the agency with defensive tactics and firearms training, and even serving as an additional instructor during last year鈥檚 block training. Even beyond the field training offer phase, he continued to offer guidance and assistance, making himself available during his family leave after the birth of his first child.

Officer of the Year: Freddie Tirado Jr.

Freddie Tirado Jr. works tirelessly to make 麻豆原创鈥檚 campus a safe place for students, faculty and staff. His persistence in checking buildings and areas that are known for having trespassers led to several arrests in the first quarter of the year. During one of these patrols, he caught a burglary suspect in the act, resulting in an arrest and the return of the stolen items to their owner. Recognizing the importance of community engagement, Tirado Jr. took it upon himself to mentor and guide younger officers. Always available to help lead training for his squad, he consistently demonstrates a positive, can-do attitude while on shift.

Partner of the Year: Administration and Finance Information Technology

This team is essential to departmental operations, consistently going above and beyond to ensure the safety, security and efficiency of public safety. Their responsibilities, which include managing equipment, developing and maintaining websites, and protecting data, are vital for daily functions. In 2024, their contributions were especially impactful during the relocation of the Victim Services office, where they ensured continuous service for victims. They upgraded systems and implemented new software, improving crime data management and communication reliability. Their behind-the-scenes work directly impacted the safety of officers and the community, and their expertise, reliability, and dedication are integral to the agency鈥檚 success.

Professional Staff Member of the Year: Lindsay Beers

Whether identifying crime patterns, uncovering crucial details or providing immediate investigative support during calls, Lindsay Beers played a vital role in solving crimes and enhancing campus safety. She took initiative, regularly seeking out ways to help detectives work their cases 鈥� sometimes even before they鈥檇 been assigned. In 2024, she completed 41 bulletins, 23 work-ups, nine photo line ups and assisted in identifying suspects in several criminal cases. Not only is she an asset to the team professionally, she鈥檚 credited as being a pleasure to work with by her colleagues, and always cheerful and reliable.

Professional Staff Supervisor of the Year: Shawna Meyers

Shawna Meyers is an indispensable asset to 麻豆原创PD, juggling numerous roles and ensuring everything is done proficiently, professionally and correctly. Her expertise in handling paperwork, arrest packets, and evidence upholds the agency鈥檚 policies and procedures in court, and she is a knowledgeable resource for both officers and staff members. Meyers and her team also handled more than 2,600 public record requests last year, ensuring that the agency complied with state statute. Her friendly demeanor and willingness to provide guidance make her a joy to work with, and her contributions are immeasurable and essential to the department鈥檚 success.

Rookie of the Year: Adriel Rivera Aponte

Adriel Rivera Aponte has been an exceptional addition to the 麻豆原创PD team, surpassing expectations for a recruit. His name frequently appears in cases, not only for responding to calls, but also for his proactive patrolling, addressing suspicious individuals and conducting traffic stops. Additionally, he has demonstrated both skill and compassion in handling mental health-related calls, responding to three Baker Acts and four wellbeing checks in 2024. He also made 18 arrests, conducted 416 traffic stops and handled 11 drug-related calls in 2024.

Senior Leader of the Year: Steven Freund

Though most of his work happens behind-the-scenes, Steven Freund is an exceptional leader whose dedication and vision have profoundly impacted Public Safety. Under his leadership, his team has upgraded campus security technology that鈥檚 frequently used to prevent and solve crimes. He鈥檚 leveraged relationships with key campus stakeholders and is often consulted on major university construction projects across all four 麻豆原创 campuses. In 2024, the Department of Security started a camera replacement project and added license plate readers to parking garages, helping officers detect suspect vehicles. On a personal level, Freund continued his own professional development while his mentorship boosted team morale and contributed to professional growth.

Sworn Supervisor of the Year: Terrell Alexander ’18 ’23MS

Terrell Alexander ’18 ’23MS鈥檚 colleagues highly regard him as an outstanding supervisor who consistently prioritizes the well-being and development of his officers. He ensured that officers were available to represent 麻豆原创PD at necessary trainings and conferences while also advancing their individual educational growth. Always available for support when needed, Alexander trusted his team to do the right thing. Recently, he took on a new role in the Community Partnerships Unit, where he has hit the ground running.

Team of the Year: Victim Services (Mandy Broderick, Nick Dumercy, Christine Mouton, Olivia Oles and Laura Valle)

Despite their small size, the Victim Services team provides essential services and organizes impactful community events, such as the Greater Orlando Domestic Violence Vigil, Victims’ Rights Week and Denim Day. Last year, the team facilitated the 麻豆原创鈥檚 Green Dot Bystander Intervention Program trainings and delivered 14 educational presentations to various community members. Their emotional resilience and unwavering dedication are evident as they work on-call to provide continuous support for victims, even implementing a new chat feature on their website last year. In 2024, their department oversaw 319 cases, closing 266 of them 鈥� an impressive accomplishment despite staffing challenges and a physical office move.

Lifesaving Award: Adriel Rivera Aponte, Amber Charles and Elaina Little

In August, 麻豆原创PD was alerted that a former student was threatening self-harm but no location details were available. Dispatch Supervisor Amber Charles acted quickly, searching campus license plate readers and finding a hit from a parking garage. While officers responded, she searched the security cameras at the top of the garage and spotted a man sitting on a ledge. Officers Adriel Rivera Aponte and Elaina Little arrived, and after a brief conversation, Aponte pulled the former student to safety. A suicide note found nearby confirmed that their timely actions saved a life that day.

Lifesaving Award: Tommy Duhart

During a high school graduation ceremony, 麻豆原创PD received a call to help an elderly woman who was choking. Officer Tommy Duhart was the first to arrive on scene and immediately began performing the Heimlich maneuver. Within seconds, he successfully dislodged the food, allowing her to breathe. The woman was medically cleared and, thanks to Duhart, was able to watch her loved one walk across the stage.

Lifesaving Award: Frank Imparato

While heading to work last summer, Sergeant Frank Imparato noticed a man sitting on the ledge of an overpass in Maitland, Florida. After notifying the Maitland Police Department, Imparato approached the individual and began establishing a rapport with him. A Maitland officer soon arrived, and together they successfully talked the man away from the ledge and ensured he received the help he needed.

Lifesaving Award: Monica Quimbayo

When a 麻豆原创 student left a letter expressing suicidal thoughts, detective Monica Quimbayo jumped into action. She connected with the student over the phone, who shared feelings of depression and doubts about therapy. Through a casual conversation about an old rock band, Quimbayo kept the student engaged until help arrived. The student was safely located, placed under protective custody and later received mental health support under the Baker Act.

Staying aware of your surroundings is the responsibility of both drivers and pedestrians. Avoid distractions like cell phones and remove headphones or ear buds so you can hear what鈥檚 going on around you.

Drivers must follow posted speed limits and yield to pedestrians 鈥� even at green lights. Likewise, pedestrians should follow traffic rules, use crosswalks and look both ways before crossing streets, even when they have the right of way.

Keeping 麻豆原创鈥檚 roads safe is a collective effort, which is why new pedestrian safety enhancements have been added on and off the university’s main campus.

Pedestrian Safety Improvements

In the past few years, 麻豆原创 has made improvements around its main campus by restriping crosswalks for better visibility and adding rumble strips before crosswalks that aren鈥檛 at a traffic light. Rumble strips are designed to provide an audible and vibration warning to alert drivers to slow down.

Flashing lights have been installed at some of the busier crosswalks around campus, along with signage reminding drivers that state law requires them to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk.

Off campus, Orange County made significant pedestrian safety upgrades along Alafaya Trail and University Boulevard, including new mid-block crosswalk signals at Solon Drive on Alafaya Trail and Turbine Drive on University Boulevard. The crossings make it more convenient for pedestrians to get to 麻豆原创, nearby restaurants and retail. They feature textured, colored pavement, pedestrian-activated stop lights and road markings that remind drivers to watch for pedestrians.

New fencing and landscaping will help direct pedestrians to the crosswalks, and sidewalks have been widened to eight or 10 feet. Additional signage, lighting and landscaping were also added.

Additionally, major intersections in the area were also updated with high-visibility crosswalks and redesigned with smaller turning radii that force vehicles to slow down.

麻豆原创PD鈥檚 Commitment to Pedestrian Safety

The 麻豆原创 Police Department (麻豆原创PD) regularly conducts pedestrian safety details, where plain-clothed employees use crosswalks throughout campus while officers assess drivers鈥� responses.

While the main goal of these details is education, drivers who fail to yield may be stopped and issued a verbal warning or a citation at the officer鈥檚 discretion. Pedestrians crossing illegally may also be stopped.

Ahead of these details, 麻豆原创PD shares information about these efforts on social media and message boards around campus.

Thankfully, Florida is home to many champions dedicated to ending human slavery. Eighteen of those champions recently were honored with Polaris Star Awards by 麻豆原创鈥檚 and

鈥淐ollectively, our honorees have invested decades of their lives to stopping human traffickers, helping victims rebuild their lives and advocating for survivors,鈥� says Jessica Wickey, director of the center. 鈥淲e are fortunate in Central Florida to have so many advocates and organizations working closely together with a shared mission of ending the horrors of trafficking.鈥�

The Center for the Study of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery focuses on comprehensive community engagement, as well as research, educational programs and raising awareness of human trafficking and modern slavery in Florida. The center became a part of the Rosen College of Hospitality Management in 2023, a significant step forward in its curriculum, as many human trafficking cases occur in hotels and other hospitality-related businesses.

In addition to the center, anti-trafficking collaborators include the Central Florida Human Trafficking Task Force, the Tri-County Alliance on Human Trafficking and Valencia College. Each year they host the Annual Human Trafficking Forum, where 27 state task forces, coalitions, commissions, residential programs, universities and other experts come together to share best practices, new trends in trafficking and challenges they face in their pursuit to end human trafficking. This collaborative system-wide approach allows the community to advance anti-trafficking efforts as a united community of abolitionists.

Florida ranks third nationwide in reported human trafficking cases, just behind California and Texas, and many cases involve multiple victims. The state mandates all lodging establishments provide training for their staff about human trafficking via House Bill 851, and the center鈥檚 mission includes strengthening education and training within the hospitality industry on how to identify and respond to trafficking.

At Rosen College, more than 5,700 students 鈥� the future leaders of the hospitality industry 鈥� have participated since 2020 in a curriculum demonstrating how to identify and report trafficking in their workplaces.

The 15th-annual Polaris Star Awards honored the following 18 individuals and organizations for their outstanding contributions to the fight against trafficking:

• Lifetime Achievement Award: Sue Aboul-Hosn

Aboul-Hosn is a retired child welfare expert who worked for the Florida Department of Children and Families for more than 20 years. She specialized in child risk assessment, missing children and human trafficking. With a background in international social work, she contributed to policy development, training programs and academic research, including co-authoring multiple publications on human trafficking.

• William Wilberforce Award: Doug Gilmer

Gilmer is a board member for the center and the president and founder of Resolved Strategies LLC, a global justice solutions group focused on combating human exploitation through collaboration, training and resource development. A 35-year law enforcement veteran, he spent 25 years with the Department of Homeland Security, culminating as senior advisor and law enforcement liaison at the Center for Countering Human Trafficking in Washington, D.C.

• Frederick Douglass Award: Ezekial McKine Sr.

McKine is an advocate and former educator from Fort Lauderdale. He is now a regional advocate II with the F.L.I.T.E. Center, where he provides trauma-informed support to young survivors of human trafficking. Drawing on his personal experiences as a father and educator, he connects with survivors and families to foster trust and drive meaningful change.

• Spotlight Award: McKibbon Group (Ally Martin & Greg Burnes)

Martin and Burnes are seasoned hospitality leaders in Orlando with extensive experience in hotel management and community engagement. Martin, general manager of Hyatt House Orlando Airport, has been with McKibbon for more than a decade, earning accolades for her leadership and commitment to local schools. Burnes, general manager of Hampton Inn & Suites Orlando Airport, brings 30 years of operational expertise, having led various hotel brands and received multiple awards for his dedication to hospitality and community service. Both are actively involved in the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association and have been recognized for contributing to the industry and local community.

• Catalyst Award: Evan Patel

Patel, a Lake Highland Preparatory School senior, is dedicated to advocacy, marine conservation and mentorship. During the pandemic, he worked with United Abolitionists, a network of first responders to the national human trafficking crisis, raising funds and donating hundreds of essentials-filled backpacks to their cause. He plans to continue this commitment in college.

• Volunteer of the Year / Carol Welker Award: Misti Spencer 鈥�18

Spencer, a 麻豆原创 alumna with a degree in psychology, is a leader and advocate dedicated to empowering trafficking survivors through her life coaching platform, Reflections and Impressions. As an advisory board member for the 麻豆原创 Center for the Study of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery, she works to shape survivor-centered policies, raise awareness and provide pathways for healing and growth.

• Survivor Champions / Individual: Kim Figueroa

Figueroa, a survivor of abuse, exploitation and homelessness, now advocates for victims of human trafficking through her work with law enforcement, the Department of Children and Families and various human trafficking boards. Recognized as Survivor Advocate of the Year 2023 and with more than six years at MoreTooLife, she is passionate about legislative reform and justice for victims’ rights.

• Survivor Champions / International: A21

A21 is a nonprofit dedicated to ending human trafficking and slavery worldwide by raising awareness, protecting survivors and prosecuting traffickers. Their mission also includes sharing resources with other anti-trafficking organizations.

• Survivor Champions / Regional Organization: Her Song (Kelly Posze)

Posze is the co-founder and national programs director of Her Song, a ministry of The Tim Tebow Foundation dedicated to providing hope and support to human trafficking survivors. She oversees outreach, survivor care and safe house programs and has been recognized for her collaboration with law enforcement in combating trafficking.

• Survivor Champions / Well-being: Christine Frederick, FLITE Center

Frederick, a Puerto Rican-born New York native, is the CEO of FLITE Center, an organization supporting youth aging out of foster care and survivors of human trafficking. With more than 12 years of leadership experience, Frederick has grown FLITE Center鈥檚 impact across Florida, increasing its budget from under $600,000 to more than $6 million. She has expanded its services to several counties, including opening a new location in West Palm Beach, Florida.

• Agent of Change / Law enforcement: Undercover special agent, Seminole County Sheriff鈥檚 Office

The Seminole County Sheriff鈥檚 Office human trafficking special agent collaborates with local, state and federal agencies to combat trafficking. More than 200 investigations have resulted in multiple arrests and the rescue of survivors. They continue to use trauma-informed methods to help victims access services and rebuild their lives.

• Agents of Change / Major Events: Rotary District 6980 (Sonya Hightower LaBosco)

Hightower LaBosco is the district governor for Rotary District 6980, leading more than 1,550 Rotarians across five counties and empowering them to create impactful change. With a distinguished 24-year law enforcement career and a focus on human trafficking prevention, Hightower LaBosco is driving collaborative statewide efforts to combat trafficking and support survivors through education, community engagement and strategic partnerships.

• Agents of Change / Legal: Janet Owen

Owen鈥檚 remarkable contributions to the fight against human trafficking have been transformative, especially in her role at 麻豆原创, where she champions anti-trafficking initiatives. As vice president for government and community relations, Owen has played a pivotal role in fostering relationships with legislators and advocating for vital funding and policy changes.

• Agents of Change / Media: Angel Studios (Jordan Harmon)

Sound of Freedom is a gripping film based on a true story that follows a federal agent who rescues a young boy from traffickers and embarks on a dangerous mission to save his sister. The film became a surprise box office hit, grossing $250.6 million worldwide on a $14.5 million budget. It has sparked important conversations about human trafficking and raised awareness of the ongoing fight against this global issue.

• Education/Nonprofit Education: Dawn Hawkins, The National Center on Sexual Exploitation

Hawkins has served as the director of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation for 14 years and continues as a senior advisor, driving bipartisan public policy and coalition-building efforts that have led to significant changes in federal and state legislation and corporate policies. She co-founded the Law Center with Patrick Trueman to challenge those profiting from sexual exploitation through civil litigation, and her leadership has been key in addressing the demand for commercial sex, weakening the pornography industry and advocating for stronger child safety measures on technology platforms.

• Education / Corporate Partners: G6 Hospitality (Sean Walker and Devon Burch)

Walker, managing director of Safety and Security at G6 Hospitality LLC since 2018, oversees initiatives focused on safety, security, loss prevention and anti-human trafficking efforts while building strong relationships with local, state and federal agencies to mitigate risks and reduce criminal activity around G6 properties. Since 2021, Burch, director of talent development at G6, has led the development of impactful programs like the anti-human trafficking training program The Room Next Door, which educates and empowers employees across industries and is freely available to external organizations to foster broader safety and security.

• Education / International: ECPACT, Yvonne Chen

The mission of ECPACT is to protect every child鈥檚 right to grow up free from sexual exploitation and trafficking. They achieve this through education, legislative advocacy and strategic partnerships.

• Education / Community: Shelly Wagers, University of South Florida BRIGHT Project

Wagers is director of the BRIGHT Project, a digital platform connecting human trafficking service providers to support victims and survivors with individualized resources. With more than 25 years of experience in the field, Wagers has contributed to developing evidence-based practices, publishing research and collaborating with community partners to expand BRIGHT statewide, and securing multi-million-dollar funding from state and federal agencies.

鈥淚t鈥檚 always been my belief that policing is the most noble profession,鈥� says 麻豆原创 Police Chief聽Carl Metzger 鈥�03MS. 鈥淚鈥檓 proud of the work we do at 麻豆原创 to keep our campus safe. We hold a very high standard of excellence, and I believe that we do it better than any campus police department in the United States.鈥�

麻豆原创 President Alexander N. Cartwright and First Lady Melinda were also present at the ceremony, where the president shared remarks, expressing his gratitude to the public safety team and offering well wishes to the new and newly promoted officers.

鈥淓ach of you really do represent the very best of 麻豆原创,” President Cartwright says. 鈥淥n behalf of all of us at 麻豆原创, welcome to this next chapter of your careers, whether beginning or further along. We are so proud to call all of you Knights and we look forward to all you achieve.鈥�

The new officers will be assigned to the patrol division upon completion of their field-training program, where they will spend several weeks paired with senior officers to receive hands-on experience out in the field before graduating to solo patrol.

Meet the Officers

• Donavan Jackson joined the 麻豆原创 Police Department (麻豆原创PD) in September 2023, sponsored by the agency to attend the law enforcement academy at Valencia College. Despite a delay in admission due to a serious health scare, he made a full recovery and graduated from Academy Class 24-04. Jackson holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a 尘补蝉迟别谤鈥檚 in higher education leadership from the University of Wisconsin Whitewater. His connection to 麻豆原创 runs deep, having previously worked in the Department of Housing and Residence Life. In his free time, Jackson enjoys writing and recording music, which has garnered more than 400,000 streams and received award nominations.
• Originally from Miami, Kamila “Kami” Otero ’24 has been a part of 麻豆原创’s Public Safety family since August 2023 when she became a 麻豆原创PD intern. After completing her internship, she continued as a cadet while earning her criminal justice degree at 麻豆原创. After graduating, 麻豆原创PD sponsored her to attend the law enforcement academy at Valencia College, where she graduated as the top academic student with an almost perfect score. Fun fact: Otero loves the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and even has four pet turtles named after them.

In addition to welcoming the latest public safety team members, 麻豆原创PD also celebrated three individuals who were recently promoted.

• Commander Matthew Scott 鈥�07 鈥�11MS was promoted from Sergeant in November. With more than 17 years in law enforcement, he began his career as a 麻豆原创PD community service officer before the agency sponsored him to attend the academy. After graduating, he joined the department as a sworn patrol officer and quickly rose through the ranks to detective, supervisor and presidential liaison. Scott spent several years as an award-winning K-9 handler and made history as 麻豆原创PD鈥檚 first therapy dog handler while serving in the Criminal Investigations Division. Most recently, he led the Community Partnerships Unit, where he鈥檚 credited with revolutionizing the department鈥檚 programming and community outreach while also serving as the presidential security escort. A proud two-time 麻豆原创 alumnus, Scott holds 产补肠丑别濒辞谤鈥檚 and degrees in criminal justice. He’s also a graduate of the Valencia College Criminal Justice Institute Leadership Academy.
• Sergeant Alexander DeLuca ’15 was promoted from Corporal in November. He started his journey as a 麻豆原创PD community service officer before becoming a sworn officer for the agency in 2016. Throughout his career, he鈥檚 served as a detective, a dedicated member of the Honor Guard, and a key part of the Emergency and Heavy Response teams. An avid biker, DeLuca has participated in several Police Unity Tours and is a police mountain bike instructor and certified bike mechanic. A 麻豆原创 alumnus, he earned his 产补肠丑别濒辞谤鈥檚 degree in criminal justice and is currently pursuing a dual 尘补蝉迟别谤鈥檚 degree in public administration and criminal justice 鈥� all while continuing to patrol his alma mater on the night shift Delta squad.
• Corporal Al Sammelian was promoted from Officer First Class in November. He made a bold career shift from the automotive industry to law enforcement, joining 麻豆原创PD in 2018. He hit the ground running, starting as a patrol officer and quickly advancing to a K-9 handler, working alongside his loyal four-legged partner, Zeus. Most recently, the duo has been an integral part of the Community Partnerships Unit, where Sammelian has led agency programming, outreach events and recruitment efforts. In his new role, he has returned to night shift patrol on the 麻豆原创 main campus, serving as Sergeant DeLuca鈥檚 corporal on the Delta squad.

A live stream of the swearing-in ceremony can be viewed聽.

鈥淲e are very proud of our agency and the work that we do,鈥� 麻豆原创 Police Chief Carl Metzger 鈥�03MS says. 鈥淲e are making a difference in our community each and every day, and we are grateful that these two officers have chosen to serve 麻豆原创.鈥�

The new officers will be assigned to the patrol division upon completion of their field-training program, where they will spend several weeks paired with senior officers to receive hands-on experience out in the field before graduating to solo patrol.

Meet the Officers

• James Beam 鈥�20 鈥�22MA comes to 麻豆原创PD after serving with the Orlando Police Department for about a year. He鈥檚 looking forward to being back on 麻豆原创鈥檚 campus, where he earned his 产补肠丑别濒辞谤鈥檚 and 尘补蝉迟别谤鈥檚 degrees in political science in 2020 and 2022, respectively. A military veteran originally from St. Augustine, Florida, James has traveled to 12 countries between two deployments with the Navy.
• Chris Colvin, originally from Los Angeles, moved to Florida to attend Eastern Florida State College and later joined the Melbourne Police Department as a patrol and field training officer. He chose 麻豆原创PD for its focus on community policing and looks forward to meeting students and ensuring their first experience with law enforcement is a positive one. When not on patrol, he loves bass fishing and woodworking.

In addition to welcoming the latest public safety team members, 麻豆原创PD also celebrated two individuals who were recently promoted.

• Sergeant Jeffrey Panter was promoted from corporal in June. Panter joined 麻豆原创PD in 2015, where he started as a patrol officer and worked his way through the ranks to become a detective. He has served on a federal task force and most recently served as a corporal on Bravo day squad. Since his promotion, he now oversees Delta night squad at 麻豆原创’s main campus.
• Corporal Agustin Gonzalez was promoted from officer first class in June. Gonzalez also joined 麻豆原创PD in 2015, where he started as a patrol officer and worked his way through the ranks to become a detective. He serves on the agency鈥檚 Special Response Team and supervises Bravo day squad for 麻豆原创’s main campus.

A live stream of the swearing-in ceremony can be viewed聽.

鈥淲e鈥檙e both excited and proud to welcome these two fine young men to the public safety family,鈥� 麻豆原创 Police Chief Carl Metzger 鈥�03MS says. 鈥淎 lot is required of a law enforcement officer, and they have the courage and the fortitude to choose this career. There aren鈥檛 many professions where you put your life on the line to protect and defend a perfect stranger.鈥�

The new officers will be assigned to the patrol division upon completion of their field-training program, where they will spend several weeks paired with senior officers to gain hands-on experience in the field before graduating to solo patrol.

Meet the Officers

• Originally from Key Largo, Florida, Gabe Rubiales 鈥�23聽is a former 麻豆原创 Police intern who was sponsored by the agency to attend the law enforcement academy. A 麻豆原创 alum with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, Rubiales is looking forward to engaging with the community and having positive interactions with students. When he鈥檚 not working, he鈥檚 an avid outdoorsman who loves spending time on the water or in the woods.
• Soon-to-be 麻豆原创 grad Ethan Temperato previously worked as a substitute teacher before making the switch to law enforcement. He chose the 麻豆原创 Police Department because of the opportunities available to officers and the ability to interact with a complex community. Fun fact: Ethan is a competitive bodybuilder and has even taken home a few trophies.

A live stream of the swearing-in ceremony can be viewed .

Each year, the department recognizes winners of their life-saving and Of the Year awards 鈥� who are featured more in depth below. Winners of commendations, community partnership awards and physical abilities awards are also recognized at the ceremony.

After being nominated and voted on by their peers, winners were selected and reviewed by award committee members.

2023 Of the Year and Life-saving Award Winners

Civilian Employee of the Year: Debbie Pope

Debbie Pope has one of the most difficult positions in the department, yet seems to manage it with ease and grace. She studied vigorously to attain her Clery Compliance Officer Certification 鈥� becoming the first person to ever achieve this prestigious status at 麻豆原创 鈥� and has successfully created and launched a Clery Compliance Webcourses training module. To determine who needed to take this required training, she led the effort for the Campus Security Authority (CSA) Identification project, working alongside HR and Compliance to review thousands of job codes at 麻豆原创 to identify potential CSAs on campus. Pope is fiercely passionate about coordinating fundraising events to support Special Olympics and has worked with them on both a local and national level to bring ideas and enthusiasm to their mission.

Civilian Supervisor of the Year: Michael Charles

Michael Charles has been a part of the public safety team for more than 20 years, consistently leading by example. With staffing shortages plaguing the 麻豆原创 Police Department (麻豆原创PD)鈥檚 Communications Center, he was always available to cover shifts, even canceling a weeklong planned vacation to assist with coverage. He racked up over 400 hours of overtime, with more than 50 12-hour shifts. Charles has provided critical training to several new dispatchers, often while also taking calls on night shift, and regularly checks in with his teammates both personally and professionally.

Crisis Intervention Officer of the Year: Roman Watkins

Mental health is a growing concern, as we have seen those in our community struggle more than ever before. Officer Roman Watkins has been involved with multiple de-escalations, with the most noteworthy one being his response to a student who was threatening to jump off of a campus parking garage. Once on scene, Officer Watkins established a rapport with the individual by listening to what was troubling him. The student agreed to a voluntary Baker Act but was worried about his family not being able to contact him. Officer Watkins went above and beyond and, after getting permission, contacted the student鈥檚 mother to tell her where he would be and how she could get ahold of him.

Dispatcher of the Year: Tiffany Ortiz

Dispatchers are an invaluable asset that not only affect their agency and its officers, but also members of the public who depend on that voice on the other end of the phone in an emergency. Since joining 麻豆原创PD in 2022, Tiffany Ortiz has made a significant impact in the two years she has been here. She is always willing to fill in due to staffing shortages and recently earned a certification to assist with training new dispatchers. Ortiz received several nominations, all of which praised her calm demeanor and ability to relay information quickly and effectively, often before officers even ask.

DUI Officer of the Year: Jeffrey Hopkins

It鈥檚 up to all of us to keep our roads safe, and 麻豆原创PD is committed to stopping impaired driving on campus and in the surrounding area. The DUI Officer of the Year award is given based on statistics, and this year was a tie between two officers, who both had officer Jeffrey Hopkins led the charge with five DUI arrests in 2023. While this number may not seem exceptionally large, these types of arrests are often limited due to 麻豆原创PD鈥檚 jurisdictional boundaries and participation in county-wide details. Impaired drivers can forever change the lives of hundreds of people in a fatal crash, but because of the efforts of these two officers, 10 of them never had the chance.

Officer of the Year: Lee Smith

It was clear from the start that when officer Lee Smith joined 麻豆原创PD, he had an immeasurable heart of service and a willingness to always try to do the right thing. He excelled in 2023 鈥� from becoming a patrol investigator and Field Training Officer to receiving his certification as a drone operator. He found his niche by enforcing traffic laws on our campus and holding violators accountable for dangerous driving, which is critical to public safety on a campus with thousands of vehicles and pedestrians every day. In 2023, Smith completed 780 traffic stops, issued 683 traffic citations and made 28 traffic-related arrests as a result. Due to his enforcement, he effectively changed the driving patterns of our campus community to a safer and law-abiding environment.

Partner of the Year: Luz Garcia

Luz Garcia is responsible for keeping 麻豆原创PD in tip-top shape. She always has a smile on her face and is kind to everyone she meets. Often required to work holidays and over breaks, she goes out of her way to ensure everyone has what they need and isn鈥檛 afraid to alert her supervisors if she notices something wrong in the building. One nomination cited an example when she came rushing over to help clean up a spill and insisted the person leave to go pick up their child from school while she took care of the mess.

Rookie of the Year: Andres Carbone

Although law enforcement is not new to officer Andres Carbone, in his brief time here at 麻豆原创 he has quickly become one of the most proactive officers in the agency. As a Drug Recognition Expert, he consistently volunteers his time for DUI cases and frequently assists in setting up training for his squad. He has worked closely with our detectives on cases to sharpen his investigative skills and has expressed interest in threat management training. Officer Carbone has brought experience from previous agencies and applied it to ours, contributing to the success of our department and officers.

Sworn Supervisor of the Year: Pete Stephens

Sgt. Pete Stephens officially oversees a small team of civilian employees but also supervises countless officers working traffic and special event details. Often called the 鈥渂ackbone of the department鈥� and the 鈥渉ardest working guy in the building,鈥� he is pivotal in ensuring campus events are staffed, often volunteering for details himself when there are not enough officers to fill spots and providing extensive manual labor to ensure successful and safe events. He is incredibly busy, but always willing to lend a hand or support his team. Stephens is an exceptional problem-solver 鈥� probably due to his love of puzzles and Wordle 鈥� and always willing to work with others to produce creative solutions to issues.

Team of the Year: Threat Management (Bianca Becker, Allura Bennett, Delaney Kirwin-Moore, Frank Imparato)

Keeping the 麻豆原创 campus safe and secure is a big job, and one we do not take lightly at 麻豆原创 Public Safety. That鈥檚 why we assess all potential threats and persons of concerns that are reported to us and the university. For the past year, this four-person team has a true passion for the work they do. They were instrumental in maintaining the level of care and service the team is expected to, while also developing it for the better. These individuals have maintained and built relationships with campus and community partners, presented at 12 different college campuses, attended the Master Trainer program, presented and attended several conferences and meetings across the state 鈥� all on top of their regular duties and case load.

Life-saving award: Alan Elliot, Katie Marts, Dan Ryley

A student sustained life-threatening injuries after crashing headfirst into a brick wall while riding an electric scooter near the Recreation and Wellness Center. Sgt. Alan Elliot and officer Dan Ryley were able to provide aid while waiting for Orange County Fire Rescue to arrive, including clearing the patient鈥檚 airway several times and applying direct pressure to his wound. Officer Katie Marts was also on-scene to check for any additional injuries and provide support. The patient was ultimately transported as a trauma alert to the hospital in critical, unstable condition, where his family was told that he likely would not have survived without the aid provided by officers.

Life-saving award: Anthony Mancuso

When a fatigued student crashed into a light pole on campus and flipped her vehicle, officer Anthony Mancuso sprang into action. The student was uninjured in the crash, but fluid was leaking from the car with live wires nearby. After assessing the situation, Mancuso quickly began punching the windshield with only a gloved hand to rescue her and suffered significant cuts in the process. He was later transported to the hospital and received several stitches.