Wauchula Police Department

David Stimson became employed with the Wauchula Police Department in September of 1997 as a part - time patrol officer. In 2000 he moved from part-time to full-time where he worked his way through the ranks of the Department.

Sgt. Stimson was born and raised in Avon Park, Fl., where he attended Avon Park High School from 1985 to 1989. After completion of High School he attended Ridge Vocational Technical School in Winter Haven Florida where he received his Firefighting Certification. He then continued in Public Safety education by attended South Florida Community College in Avon Park Florida completing his Emergency Medical Technician Training to became a Licensed Emergency Medical Technician. He became employed with Hardee County Fire Rescue in 1990 where he later became a Firefighter / Paramedic in 1993. In 2000, after 10 years with Hardee County Fire Rescue, decided to leave the Fire Service to accept a full time position with the Police Department.

Sgt. Stimson is proud of his 22 years of public service having served in all three roles and capacities of emergency services.

Today, Sgt. Stimson is currently assigned to and oversees Accreditation to which he is tasked with keep all 260 standards compliant with the Department for the Florida Commission of Law Enforcement Accreditation. He is also oversees Recruitment, Employment Backgrounds, Internal Affairs, Medical Review Officer, and Professional Standards of the Department.

Professional Attributes:

Avon Park High School - 1985 to 1989

State of Florida Fire Certification - Ridge Vocational Technical School- 1989

Emergency Medical Technician Training - South Florida Community College - 1989 to 1990

Hardee County Fire Rescue - 1990 - 2000

AA Degree Courses - South Florida Community College - 1990

Para-medicine - Manatee Vo-Tech -1992 - 1993

Law Enforcement Training - South Florida Community College Public Safety Academy - 1996

Wauchula Police Department - 1997 - Present

Part-Time Officer - 1997

Moved to Full Time Officer - 2000

Promoted to Corporal - 2001

South Florida Community College Public Safety Academy (General Instructor) - - 2002

Criminal Justice First Aid Instructor - 2002

Criminal Justice Firearms Instructor - 2004

Criminal Justice Human Diversity Instructor - 2005

Moved to Accreditation Manager - 2011

Over 5500 hours of advanced and specialized trainings and education in Firefighting, Medical, and Law Enforcement.

Leadership Training:

· Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar (LEEDS), Session 101, 2009

Civic Attributes / Memberships:

· Boy Scouts of America (Eagle Scout) - 1980 - 1988

· National Eagle Scout Association - 1986 - Present

· City of Avon Park, FL. (Volunteer Firefighter) - 1989 - Present

· Florida Fireman's Association (Member) - 1989 - 2005

· Sun & Lakes Improvement District, Sebring, FL. (Volunteer Firefighter) 1993 - 1996

· International Association of Firefighters - 1991 - 2000

· Criminal Justice Advisory Board, South Florida Community College, Avon Park, Florida, 2003 - Present

· Cub Scouts Pack Leader Pack 156 - 2005

· City of Wauchula Safety Committee

Personal Information:

Married - 18 years with two children