Jacksonville Police Chief Jarad Phelps has been selected as the next chief of police for the City of Boca Raton, Florida, following a nationwide search that attracted more than 100 applicants.
The City of Boca Raton announced it has extended a conditional offer of employment to Phelps, who currently leads the Jacksonville Police Department.
According to Boca Raton officials, 105 people applied for the position and 77 candidates met the minimum qualifications. City leaders said Phelps emerged as the top choice following a competitive national recruitment process.
Phelps has served as Jacksonville’s police chief, overseeing a nationally accredited department that includes 136 sworn officers and more than 40 professional staff members. Before coming to Jacksonville, he spent nearly 30 years with the Prince William County Police Department in Virginia, where he rose through the ranks to become deputy chief and later acting chief of police.
“This was a highly competitive process that brought forward an exceptional group of candidates,” Boca Raton City Manager Mark Sohaney said in a statement. “Jarad Phelps stood out for his depth of experience, sound judgment, and commitment to public trust.”
Phelps brings more than three decades of law enforcement experience, including leadership roles involving police operations, crime reduction, strategic planning, officer recruitment and retention, community engagement and crisis response.
“I am extremely honored to have been selected as the next Chief of Police for the City of Boca Raton,” Phelps said in a statement. “To be chosen through such a competitive process is very humbling.”
Phelps said he looks forward to joining the Boca Raton team and working with the community and police department.
His educational background includes a Master of Public Administration from George Mason University and a bachelor’s degree in political science and criminal justice from James Madison University. He has also completed executive leadership programs through the FBI National Academy, FBI National Executive Institute, Harvard Kennedy School and several other nationally recognized law enforcement leadership programs.
The offer remains contingent upon completion of Boca Raton’s pre-employment process. City officials said additional details regarding Phelps’ start date and formal introduction to the community will be announced later.