PAUL O'CONNELL
Paul O'Connell is a seasoned law enforcement professional with an extraordinary career spanning over four decades, characterized by innovative leadership, strategic vision, and a deep commitment to community-oriented policing. His journey began with the Pompano Beach Police Department, where he dedicated 21 years of service, progressively advancing through roles of increasing responsibility from patrol officer to detective sergeant. This foundational experience in municipal policing provided him with an intimate understanding of community dynamics and the nuanced challenges of local law enforcement.
Transitioning to the Broward Sheriff's Office, Paul distinguished himself as a visionary leader, serving in roles that demonstrated his strategic capabilities. As Commander of the Organized Criminal Activities Section, he became the State Director of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force for Florida, creating instructional lesson plans for covert internet investigations that are now used statewide. His tenure as District Chief of Police for Parkland exemplified his ability to bridge municipal expectations with county-level service delivery, where he instituted the district motto "Policing with a Personal Touch" and successfully managed the transition from a municipal department to BSO contracted services.
Paul's leadership reached new heights during his tenure as Chief of Police for Wilton Manors, where he implemented a comprehensive departmental reorganization and received the 2013 State of Florida Anti-Defamation League Excellence in Law Enforcement Award. His academic credentials, including a Juris Doctorate from Nova Southeastern University, a Master's in Public Administration from St. Thomas University, and executive training from Harvard University's Kennedy School, complement his practical experience. Currently serving as a public safety consultant and operating his firm Policing with Passion, LLC, Paul continues to leverage his extensive expertise to support law enforcement agencies in strategic planning, organizational development, and community engagement, embodying a holistic approach to modern policing that balances operational excellence with compassionate service.
EDUCATION
J.D. Juris Doctorate, Nova Southeastern University, Davie, FL (GPA 2.85)
M.S. Master of Science in Public Administration, St. Thomas University, Miami, FL (GPA 3.79)
B.S. Bachelor of Science, Northeastern University, Boston, MA (Magna Cum Laude GPA 3.75)
FBI National Academy – 251st Session December 2012
Harvard University – Kennedy School: Senior Executive in State & Local Government – July 2015
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
POLICING WITH PASSION, LLC
2021 - Present
Consulting services and Leadership trainings
CITY OF PARKLAND
Public Safety Advisor
Direct report to City Manager
• Oversight of two largest contracts for services: Coral Springs Fire and Broward Sheriff’s Office
• Performance evaluations of services
• Ensuring delivery of services as promised
CITY OF WILTON MANORS POLICE DEPARTMENT
Chief of Police
• Completed a re-organization and re-structuring of the Police Department in the first 6 months
• Instituted the Department’s new Mission Statement: “Policing with a Passion for Our Profession”
• 2013 State of Florida Anti-Defamation League Excellence in Law Enforcement Award for achievements in repairing the damage to and restoring the trust in our Police Department
• Oversee the direction of the Police and Code Compliance functions within this City (population of 13,000) and a department budget of over $7 million
• Direct report to the City Manager; constant interaction with the City Commission
• Successful CFA Re-Accreditation for our Department in April 2013, 2016 & 2019
• 2015 – current Exchange Program with German Police Academy in Sachsen-Anhalt
• 2013 – current Annual Citizens Police Academy established and ongoing
• 2017 – current WMPD implementation of Hybrid Vehicles throughout the Department
BROWARD SHERIFF’S OFFICE
CITY of PARKLAND (BSO contract city)
District Chief of Police 2007 - 2011
District Executive Officer 2004 - 2007
• Lead liaison responsible for daily interaction between the City Manager and BSO
• Instituted the Parkland District motto “Policing with a Personal Touch”
• Oversaw the direction of the Police function within this City of 25,000 residents and a police budget of over $5 million
• Created the District’s new Code Enforcement Unit to conduct inspections, code compliance and special master prosecutions on behalf of the City
• Played a vital role in the successful transition from the Parkland Public Safety to the Broward Sheriff's Office (D-17) in 2004 and worked to maintain the highest level of trust with the citizens
• Interacted and communicated with community leaders on a daily basis to ensure information was properly disseminated and expectations were met
CITY of OAKLAND PARK (BSO contract city)
November 2002 – March 2004
Patrol Shift Commander
• Responsible for road patrol oversight of afternoon and midnight shifts for a large urban city (+60,000 residents)
• Collaborated with surrounding jurisdictions a regional approach to regional crime suppression and investigations.
• Developed and implemented quality of life neighborhood improvements for the City
• Designed and implemented operational plans to ensure police coverage for special events.
• Managed the CALEA oversight, training and placement of all Deputies assigned to the Oakland Park District, a 100+ person workforce.
STRATEGIC INVESTIGATIONS (BSO)
August 1999 – November 2002
Commander for Organized Criminal Activities Section
• State Director of the ICAC Task Force for Florida and represented Florida at the National ICAC Executive Board in Washington, D.C. which conducted covert internet investigations throughout the State and Nation.
• Created and implemented the Instructional Lesson Plan for Covert Undercover Internet Investigations, now used throughout Florida.
• Coordinated the liaison between the ICAC Task Force and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC).
• Member of the Legal Oversight Committee for the National ICAC Task Force.
• Supervised the BSO investigative duties for the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) and played a role in the post 9/11 investigation of the 9/11 Conspirators’ Broward County Connection.
• Oversight of all undercover activities in the field of Organized Crime investigations.
• Coordinated all investigations in the area of Organized Cargo and Auto Theft.
POMPANO BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT
1978 - 1999
Detective Sergeant, Detective and Patrol Officer
• 1988 - 1994 & 1996 – 1999 - Road Patrol Supervisor
• 1994 - 1996 Responsible for Internal Affairs investigations and the publication of Legal Bulletins
• 1985 - 1988 Police Academy Class Supervisor and instructor
• 1978 - 1985 Various Road Patrol & Detective duties