[PHOTO CREDIT: Lake County Sheriff’s Office]
[Original Publish Date: 03/29/21]
EUSTIS, Florida — Less than three months after the abrupt resignation of the city’s last police chief, the City of Eustis has named a permanent replacement.
Craig Capri, who has more than 30 years of law enforcement experience, will replace Interim Chief Ken Birkhofer, who has filled in as the city’s chief since January.
Capri was chosen from more than 75 applicants during a nationwide search, the city stated in a press release Monday. Capri comes to Eustis from Daytona Beach Police Department, where he worked his way up through the ranks, beginning as a police officer, and serving as a detective, Special Response Team (SRT) member, SWAT commander, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, deputy chief and finally as chief of DBPD and deputy city manager from 2017 to 2021.
Capri has a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice and Master of Science in criminal justice, both from the University of Central Florida, according to the press release. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and has worked with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA.) He brings to Eustis experience in specialized patrol, investigations, drug operations and special response.
According to the release, Capri believes in transparency and community policing and supports positive youth development by volunteering and mentoring in the community.
“I am pleased to add a highly-qualified law enforcement professional to the city’s leadership team,” City Manager Ron Neibert said in the release. “Chief Capri has the necessary experience and attitude to make a positive impact upon the Eustis Police Department and the city as a whole.”
Capri is scheduled to be sworn in at 5 p.m. April 5, City Commission Chamber, 10 North Grove Street, Eustis. The public is invited to attend.
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Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. Born and raised in Lake County, she is a graduate of Umatilla High School and Lake-Sumter State College. She started her journalism career at LSSC, where she was editor of both student publications, The Angler and The Odyssey. Her professional career began at the Daily Commercial in 2004 where she covered cops and courts the majority of her time there until she left in 2009. Currently, along with being Editor-in-Chief of Lake Legal News, she is the Florida bureau chief for an international media organization. She has made more than two dozen appearances on live national television, including Nancy Grace and the Greta Van Susteren show, along with her appearance on Evil Twins. Contact her with breaking news, tips, and feedback by sending an e-mail to 352Tips@gmail.com. You can also contact us on our Facebook page — and make sure you “Like” and “Follow us” there. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
