Lawrence Revell Named Tallahassee Police Chief

December 26, 2019

Today, City Manager Reese Goad announced the appointment of Lawrence Revell, one of Tallahassee’s most experienced and respected law enforcement professionals, to serve as the new Chief of Police for the City of Tallahassee, effective January 4.

Revell, a Tallahassee native, has served with the Tallahassee Police Department (TPD) for 28 years. He has earned two Medals of Bravery (2007 and 1997) and two Meritorious Service Awards (2008 and 1996).

“As Chief, Revell’s vast community knowledge and strong relationships with both law enforcement and civic partners will enable him to affect positive change straightaway for Tallahassee,” Goad said. “His dedication to our community throughout his life and professional career has been unwavering.”

Revell brings extensive field and managerial experience. During his career with TPD, he has worked in nearly every division, including patrol, TAC, high risk offenders, financial crimes and the chaplain program, among others. Most recently, he served as the Major overseeing the Criminal Investigations Bureau with 46 sworn officers and 18 civilian support staff and a $7 million budget. A hallmark of his tenure in the position was the 100 percent clearance rate for homicides his team achieved during 2018.

Because of his keen professional insight and experience, he also has served since 2016 as the Chair for the Department of Homeland Security Domestic Security Coordinating Group – Specialty Response Teams for the state of Florida, a group that encompasses all specialty teams (SWAT, Aviation, Hazmat, etc.) throughout the state.

After graduating from Rickards High School, Revell earned his associate’s degree from Florida A&M University, while also playing baseball for the school. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and his master’s degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. As a younger Leon County School student, he attended Sabal Palm Elementary and Nims Middle School.

“As your Chief, I will immediately begin working to strengthen TPD for the betterment of every Tallahassee resident. To do so, we will work with the community we serve to build partnerships and enhance collaboration,” Revell said. “To move the agency forward, I will be working with the brave men and women within the department to fill vacancies and ensure that we have a diverse team that reflects the community we serve.”

Revell’s service to the community extends beyond the badge. For more than 20 years, he has volunteered as a youth sports coach, helping his five children and countless others learn the value of teamwork, practice and sportsmanship. For the last three years, he served as TPD’s point person for the City’s Habitat for Humanity home builds, providing manual labor and coordinating other volunteers. He is also actively involved in his church.

Reaction to the announcement of Revell’s appointment to Chief of Police by some key community leaders reflects an enthusiastic endorsement of the choice.

“I have consistently said throughout this very diligent and professional process in the search for the next Chief of Police that I will strongly support the decision of the City Manager. We must all now embrace the selection of Lawrence Revell as our next chief of police. Chief Revell is extremely capable, competent and has the experience and energy to lead TPD and inspire the citizens to join the fight to reduce gun violence and ensure the safety of all of the citizens in Tallahassee. Let's all come together and support and pray for our new chief!!” Rev. R.B. Holmes, Pastor of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, said.

“Tallahassee is in good hands. I applaud the choice of Lawrence Revell for Tallahassee’s next Chief of Police,” Cheryl Collier-Brown, retired Leon County educator, said. “As his former ninth grade teacher, I’ve watched Lawrence grow up and overcome every challenge placed in front of him. I’m proud of him and excited for Tallahassee.”

“Major Lawrence Revell is an outstanding choice to lead the Tallahassee Police Department,” State Attorney Jack Campbell said. “I have worked with him for many years, and he is highly respected as a leader in law enforcement and throughout this community. He will serve the police department and Tallahassee well. I’m proud to have been on the committee that recommended him to the City Manager for the position of Chief of Police.”

“Congratulations to City Manager Goad for making what I believe to be a decision that is in the best interest of the citizens of Tallahassee and that of the women and men of the Tallahassee Police Department. l look forward to working with Chief Lawrence Revell in our joint efforts to ensure the safety of our community, while building lasting law enforcement collaborations,” Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil said.

“The highest priority for our community is the same as TPD’s, which is to do everything possible to engage the community in increasing public safety in all of our daily activities,” Sharon Ofuani, Crimestoppers Executive Director, said. “Major Revell’s accomplished background prepares him well for the important work ahead, and we will do all that we can to assist him in his efforts.”

“I have known Lawrence Revell for many years, and he is a consummate law enforcement professional. He has dedicated his life to the Tallahassee Police Department and this community. His work at the statewide level through the DSCG-SRT is a testament to his ability to implement practical, coordinated efforts that will benefit our community and our region. I look forward to working with him in his new role as Chief,” FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen said.

“Major Lawrence Revell has demonstrated his dedication to service and support for the citizens of Tallahassee and the officers of the Tallahassee Police Department over his nearly 30-year career. We are excited about his appointment to the position of Chief of Police and look forward to working with him to continue this support for our officers and to ensure the highest level of service is provided to our citizens,” said Officer Richard Murphy, PBA President.

“I am very pleased with the selection of Lawrence Revell as the next Chief of Police for the City of Tallahassee. Chief Revell grew up in Tallahassee and attended Rickards High School and FAMU and FSU. He is a 28-year veteran of the department. I have full confidence in Chief Revell to lead TPD into the future,” Mayor John Dailey said. “I also want to thank City Manager Reese Goad for establishing the most transparent process for selecting a police chief this City has ever seen. His selection of Chief Revell honors the community-based process and demonstrates his continued commitment to providing TPD with the personnel and resources necessary to meet the challenges before us.”

“The City Manager’s appointment of Chief Revell respects the process, and I want to acknowledge his tireless efforts, along with the Deputy City Manager’s, to ensure the community’s voices were heard. With professionalism and a true love for Tallahassee, Chief Revell will lead the men and women of TPD forward in making our entire community safe,” Mayor Pro Tem Dianne Williams-Cox said. “He has proven his ability to work with partners at all levels, and his vision is rooted in experience – something both the community and TPD’s officers can respect.”

The selection process for a new chief began in August 2019 with a nationwide search conducted by the Florida Police Chief’s Association (FPCA). Following the acceptance of 52 resume submissions, FPCA recommended 20 candidates to the Community Partners Committee. The committee, comprised of community, faith, business and law enforcement leaders, twice narrowed the list down during its public meetings and unanimously voted to advance three finalists for consideration.

As the new Chief of Police for TPD, an agency with a distinguished history of serving the Capital City that dates back nearly 200 years, Revell will direct a staff of approximately 535 employees and maintain responsibility for a budget of roughly $60 million.

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