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Bio:
Susan Benton, Sheriff
Highlands County, Florida
Sheriff Susan Benton, a 5th generation Floridian, was born and raised
in Miami-Dade County. Following in the footsteps of her great
grandfather who served as Chief of Police in St. Augustine, Florida
during the early 1920’s, Sheriff Benton has served, with distinction in
law enforcement for more than 30 years. She has served "in the
trenches" shoulder-to-shoulder with her fellow deputies and has risen
through the ranks by gaining the respect and trust of her colleagues,
superiors, agency members, and community. Sheriff Benton has two grown
children and three grand children. Sheriff Benton is Catholic and very
active in her community and family.
Education
- Associates of Arts, Miami Dade Community College
- Bachelor of Arts Administration of Justice, St. Thomas University;
- Master of Public Administration, Troy State University;
- Certified Public Manager, Florida State University;
Numerous
advanced and specialized law enforcement training 100+ courses
including: National Sheriff’s Institute, 2007; F.B.I’s Law Enforcement
Executive Development Training, 2008; Center for Task Force Training,
2004; Florida Counterdrug Training Academy Certificate 2004; Florida
Sheriff’s Association Diversified Training, 2003, 2004 2005, 2007;
Florida Sheriff’s Association Executive Training, 2004; ICMA University
Community Planning 2005; Early Identification and Intervention
Strategies, 2005; FEMA National Incident Management System Certificate,
2005; Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute Chief Executive,
2005; Domestic Security Certificate, 2005; USAF Special Operations
Dynamics of International Terrorism, 2006, 2007; FEMA National Response
Plan, 2006; Advanced Incident System Certificate, 2006; Jimmy Ryce Law
Enforcement Training – Missing and Exploited Children Chief Executive
Officer Training, 2007.
Employment Experience:
- Physical Education Teacher, 1969
- Police Officer, Dade County Schools, 1974;
- Deputy Sheriff, Highlands County Sheriff’s Office, 1979;
- Administrative Aide, Highlands County Board of Commissioners, 1980;
- Department of Children and Families, Foster Care Counselor and Protective Investigator, 1986;
- Highlands County Sheriff’s Office: Deputy Sheriff, 1989;
- Sergeant of School Resource, 1992;
- Lieutenant of Administrative Services, 1995; Lieutenant of Criminal Investigations, 2003;
- Elected Sheriff, Highlands County, 2004
Academic Experience:
- Instructor, Barry University – Public Administration 2003 & 2004
- Instructor, Office of the Attorney General 1998
- Instructor, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice 1996-1997
- Instructor, Florida Department of Law Enforcement 1997
- Instructor, Office of the Attorney General 1994
Honors, Affiliations & Community Service:
- Member, Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranch Board of Directors, current
- Member, Florida Sheriff’s Association Legislative Committee, current
- Member, Florida Missing Children’s Information Clearing House Advisory Board, current
- Chairman, Florida Sheriff’s Association Task Force, Region 6, current
- Chairman, Florida Sheriff’s Association DARE Review Committee, current
- Chairman, Community Traffic Safety Team, 1994-95;
- Chairman, Juvenile Justice Council, 1994-96;
- Chairman, Juvenile Justice Board District 10, 1996-98;
- Catechist, St. Catherine’s Church, Sebring, 1996-99;
- Chairman, Highlands County SHOCAP Team;
- Member of Children’s Advocacy Center Development Team, 1997-98;
- Avon Park Youth Academy Council, 1998;
- Florida Juvenile Justice Realignment Workgroup, 1998;
- Member FOP Lodge #99;
- Nominated for Champion for Children Award
- Recipient of Florida Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Glass Ceiling Award 2005
- Law Day Award 2005
- Certificate of Appreciation, Police Work Dog Association 2005;
- National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives Recognition; 2007
- Kid Day America/International Children’s Empowerment Award, 2007
- Florida DARE Officer’s Association Presenter Recognition
- FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar, 2008
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