Florida man may become new chief of school police

Thursday, Jan. 6, 2005 | 9:03 a.m.

A veteran of south Florida municipal and school law enforcement is poised to become the Clark County School District's new police chief.

Hector R. Garcia, currently director of safety and security for the Sarasota School District, was selected from a field of more than two dozen candidates and five finalists.

The Clark County School Board will be asked to approve Garcia's hiring when it meets Jan. 13, said George Ann Rice, associate superintendent of human resources for the Clark County School District.

If Garica is approved by the School Board he would begin work Feb. 14.

The recommended salary is $96,732, Rice said this morning.

The district launched a nationwide search for a new police chief this fall following the firing of Elliot Phelps, who had held the post since 2000. School officials say Phelps was fired after they determined he had not obtained the Nevada Peace Officers Standards and Training certification required for the job.

Rice said there would be "no such problems" with Garcia and that her office will ensure that he has the required certification prior to beginning work.

Prior joining the Sarasota School District last year, Garcia spent 14 years with the Palm Beach County School Police Department. He was a police officer in Del Ray Beach, Fla., from 1987 to 1990.

He has a master's of science degree from Lynn University in Boca Raton and a bachelor's degree from Florida-Atlantic University, Rice said.

Garcia's age was unavailable, Clark County School District officials said, because they are prohibited by law from asking applicants their age.