Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) Superintendent Diana Greene has nominated a new executive director for the district’s police department.
Greene has nominated retired JSO Assistant Chief Gregory Burton to lead the police officers who serve DCPS.
“Mr. Burton has unique experience in the nuances of school policing and working with and around young people,” said Greene. “His school experience, his exceptional leadership career and strong relationships with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office combine to make him the perfect candidate to lead our school police.”
“I am very excited about this opportunity to provide leadership and build on the strong capabilities of this department,” Burton said. “I look forward to working with the officers and staff of the Duval County School Police Department to ensure we continue to enhance security and protect our schools so students, teachers, and administrators can all focus on learning and achievement.”
Burton has a long history with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. Beginning as a patrol officer in 1994, he served on the Drugs and Violent Crimes Task Force and as the Unit Commander of the Violent Crimes Initiative. He also worked as a supervisor to school resource officers and received a master’s of education degree from Jacksonville University in 2011.
Burton is married to Lakesha Burton, who is running for Jacksonville Sheriff. If elected, she would be the first Black woman to lead the city’s police force.
According to the DCPS website, school police officers’ duties include responding to criminal activity on DCPS properties, investigating intrusions and firearms, and developing intelligence on potential gang members in DCPS schools, among other administrative duties.
Superintendent Greene will make her recommendation to the DCPS Board at its July 12 meeting. If the board approves, Burton will begin in his new role this summer.
Contact Sydney Boles at sboles@wjct.org, or on Twitter at @sydneyboles.
