St. Pete Police Chief Named Florida Chief Of The Year

ST. PETE, FL —Anthony Holloway, chief of the St. Petersburg Police Department, has been named the 2020 Chief Executive of the Year by the Florida Police Chiefs Association (FPCA). The announcement was made Wednesday at the FPCA's 69th Annual Summer Conference held in Hollywood.

According to a release, the Chief Executive and Command Officer of the Year awards - the latter also handed out at the conference - recognize individuals for exceptional performance and support and advancement of the law enforcement profession.

In a Facebook post congratulating Holloway, the SPD published a passage from his nomination:

"Chief Holloway's calm demeanor and ability to unite people, regardless of their different opinions or beliefs, makes consensus and progress possible," the passage stated. "Chief Holloway is an asset to the law enforcement profession and a leader much needed during these uncertain times."

Holloway has been chief of the SPPD since 2014. He previously served as the chief of the Clearwater Police Department and chief of the Somerville, Massachusetts Police Department. He began his law enforcement career with the Clearwater PD in 1985, according to the release.

Holloway currently serves as the chair of several groups, including: the Florida Police Chiefs Association Subcommittee on Accountability and Societal Change, the Law Enforcement Committee on Criminal Justice Section of the American Bar Association, the Florida Regional Community Policing Institute, and the Juvenile Justice Advisory Council.

Additionally, Holloway is part o the Florida Supreme Court Standing Committee on Fairness and Diversity and the Florida Supreme Court Racial and Ethnic Disparities Advisory Workgroup. Plus, he's taught law enforcement to many national and international governmental, military, educational and community organizations.

Stephan Dembinsky, the FPCA president, lauded the recipients of the awards at the FPCA conference. Several 2019 awards also were handed out at the ceremony because the COVID-19 pandemic had prevented them from being presented earlier.

"The accomplishments of the officers and agencies recognized this year are impressive and extensive, and they embody the highest ideals of our profession," Dembinsky said.