SUBURBAN WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The Palm Beach County School Board is expected to approve current Jupiter Police Chief Frank Kitzerow as the new school police chief Wednesday.
Palm Beach County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Donald Fennoy says he is ready for his police chief choice to hit the ground running.
"He chose us and we chose him so were in a great place and that's a great way to start a relationship," Fennoy says.
Kitzerow brings more than 30 years of law enforcement experience to the table. Fennoy says that, coupled with his strong communication and relationships with other police departments, makes him the man for the job.
He says: "There’s definitely a presence, there’s definitely a presence, and a calm demeanor, but also a very credible demeanor that allows even for me- someone who I can support him in whatever decisions his makes. As a father, I felt secure that he would lead our force and be a great face for the organization and then help the community heal from what happened in Parkland."
He adds: "What Chief Kitzerow brings to the table is he is part of the state level conversation of what it should be and how it should evolve over time. So that's what's important to me, he’s already plugged into those conversations."
Fennoy says Kitzerow is well respected by people in the law enforcement community. "It became very clear that this gentleman has great relationships with the local municipalities, the sheriff called and said that was a great choice and even at the state level and federal level."
At a time when school safety is on everyone's mind, Fennoy says the new chief will be a part of his cabinet and involved in the day to day decision making on a district level. "He’ll also be able to translate and articulate to the principals around what are police decisions and what are school-level decisions and that's another thing that's very important to me."
Fennoy is grateful to have Kitzerow, who was with the Jupiter Police Department for more than a decade, now join his team. "He’s stepping out of a traditional police chief role and now saying, 'Hey, I want to dedicate the rest of my career to working in schools with kids.' And I can't ask for more than that."