News Release: New Director to Lead Florida Highway Patrol

The following news release was issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles on March 2, 2011:

New Director to Lead Florida Highway Patrol

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Lt. Col. David H. Brierton Jr. today was named Director of the Florida Highway
Patrol. Brierton was selected from a field of more than 50 applicants from across the nation.
“The appointment of David Brierton as director of the Florida Highway Patrol reinforces my commitment to
public safety,” said Governor Rick Scott. “I am confident that he will provide the necessary leadership and
accountability to guide this dedicated group of law enforcement officers.”
Brierton currently serves as FHP’s Deputy Director of Field Operations with direct responsibilities for Troop
Operations, Investigations, Contraband Interdiction, Emergency Operations and Homeland Security. He has
served the residents and visitors of Florida with distinction as a dedicated member of the Patrol since September
1983.
In announcing the appointment, Julie Jones, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety
and Motor Vehicles, said, “David Brierton has a tremendous record of public service and has the experience,
strong leadership skills and vision necessary to lead the dedicated men and women of the Florida Highway
Patrol into the future.”
An Army veteran, Brierton served as a member of the Military Police prior to joining the FHP. He is a graduate
of Mountain State University with a Bachelor of Science in Administration of Criminal Justice, and has
completed specialized training that includes the 27th Command Officer Development Course (Southern Police
Institute) and the 41st Chief Executive Seminar (Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute).
“It is an honor and a privilege to serve as a law enforcement officer, and I am humbled by the opportunity to
lead this great organization. Our leadership team will work hard to set a proactive course for the Patrol in order
to fulfill our mission of providing the safest driving environment for everyone who travels Florida’s roadways,
and I look forward to working with our outstanding members, law enforcement partners and stakeholders,”
stated Brierton.
Brierton served as a trooper and a sergeant in Miami-Dade County. In 1989, the Patrol promoted him to
lieutenant, and he relocated to Bradenton. He advanced to the rank of captain four years later and returned to
south Florida to supervise operations in Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. In 2003,
FHP promoted Brierton to major and assigned him to Headquarters in Tallahassee, where he supervised
Investigations and Professional Compliance. In 2006, Brierton was appointed lieutenant colonel and charged
with oversight of Patrol Operations, Investigations, Contraband Interdiction, Emergency Operations and
Homeland Security.