By Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor
To the left of the receptionist’s desk at the Plant City Police Department is a wall lined with photographs. Each has its own frame and is placed around three words: “Chiefs of Police.”
Examining the photographs, it’s easy to get lost in the faces. Many hold a stoic expression. Some are historic prints. There are 14 in total, though not all the chiefs are pictured.
The most recent is the current Chief of Police Bill McDaniel. And although his picture will remain on the wall for years to come, his face won’t be seen as frequently at the station this year.
McDaniel will end his 27-year police career to take a position as assistant city manager of public safety, a newly created post, Jan. 7.
NEW CHAPTER
In his new role, McDaniel still will work with the police department, in addition to the fire department, code enforcement and the city’s Management Information Systems. The position originated after City Manager Greg Horwedel discussed with McDaniel what he wanted to accomplish in 2013. The new position would save a net $230,000 annually, because two positions — one fire battalion chief and a Plant City MIS manager — will be eliminated.
“I’ve always been a person who likes change, who likes challenges and this position represents that for me,” McDaniel says.
Indeed, McDaniel enjoys a good challenge. It’s apparent in his hobbies of choice — flying, water sports and motorcycling.
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
A shy kid from Tampa, McDaniel still remembers the day he walked into his second-grade class at Wilson Elementary, when his family moved to Plant City.
As a student at Plant City High School, McDaniel was a self-described “band geek.” His mother was gifted musically, and from her, he was inspired to pick up the trumpet.
“I thought trumpet was cool,” McDaniel says. “But football would have been cooler, I guess.”
After graduation, he attended Hillsborough Community College, with an interest in studying marine biology. McDaniel always loved the water and any activities associated with it.
“I dabbled around HCC for quite a while,” McDaniel says. “Like most young people, I needed direction. Then, I discovered a long-harbored interest in police enforcement.”
McDaniel enrolled at Polk Community College, where he attended the police academy.
“I was exposed to things that maybe you only have an image of or read about or have only seen on a TV show,” McDaniel says.
Graduating from the academy in 1984, he returned to Plant City and took a job as a patrol officer. The adrenaline junkie in him took a liking to the night shift, where most of the action would happen.
“Growing up in Plant City and then coming back as a police officer, I realized there’s so much more going on here,” McDaniel says.
Working his way up the ranks, McDaniel was promoted from sergeant to captain and then acting interim chief, a position he held for about six months before being appointed to police chief.
It’s been 16 years since McDaniel was appointed chief. He’s seen many changes in the city and the police department. With just 40 sworn officers when he first started, McDaniel has seen it grow to a maximum of 74 sworn officers. Now, 68 are serving.
McDaniel also took advantage of his love for technology and brought new tools to the police department, including automated records management and digital photography.
“I wanted to professionalize and modernize the department,” McDaniel says. “My goal, when I took this job, was to leave it better than I found it.”
In 2002, McDaniel hit a bump in his career. Several Plant City police officers were indicted on charges of conspiracy to deprive citizens of their civil rights by searching cars and homes without warrants. A federal prosecutor ruled McDaniel and Mayor Mike Sparkman collaborated to hide criminal evidence against the targeted police officers.
No charges were ever brought against them.
“A friend who also flew told me, ‘Pilots do not improve their skills by avoiding flying in rough weather,’” McDaniel says. “There’s been rough times, and I navigated through it.”
One year later, the police department earned accreditation and has since scored perfectly on its three accreditation audits.
“This department has grown by leaps and bounds — not only the size but (also) in professionalism,” McDaniel says. “And those things don’t happen by yourself. I’ve worked with a group of amazing and talented people.”
THE REAL MCDANIEL
“A lot of people know Chief McDaniel,” he says. “A lot of people don’t know Bill McDaniel.”
McDaniel began flying in the 1980s and, since then, has been collecting what he calls “flying experiences.” Those include piloting unique aircraft, such as a World War II-era B-25 bomber, an ultralight, T-6 and, his favorite, an open cockpit, bi-wing stearman.
But, McDaniel had to curtail his time in the skies once he became chief.
“It became a competition between the job and my time for flying,” McDaniel says.
In the early 2000s, McDaniel found another hobby — motorcycling.
“I kind of like action-oriented, fast-paced type of activities, and with my demands as chief, I needed something to just walk out to the garage and go,” he says.
McDaniel has been on many road trips. He’s rumbled all the way to the Pacific Coast, to all four corner states and even embarked on what he calls a “fall leaf ride,” which included Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia.
“It’s really fun,” McDaniel says. “I really enjoy it. You’re a lot more connected to the environment you’re in when you ride.”
McDaniel also brings multiple cameras on his trips.
“My motorcycle takes me to places where I can take great pictures,” McDaniel says. “Landscape photography appeals to my artistic creative side of my nature. I can’t draw. I can’t sing. So, I take pictures.”
McDaniel is married to his wife, Mercedes. They have a daughter, Harley, 20.aircrackng.ru