Larry Keefe to lead Florida law enforcement agency

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(The Center Square) – Former public safety czar Larry Keefe has been named the new head of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the nomination Tuesday, and the Cabinet approved it.

Keefe served as Florida’s public safety czar and then as executive director of the State Board of Immigration Enforcement. He was also the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“In every position he had, he’s performed at the highest possible level. Larry will lead the agency with distinction ensuring the rule of law and public safety remain a top priority,” said DeSantis.

Keefe is an Okaloosa County native and has been a member of the Florida Bar for over 30 years. 

Keefe replaces Commissioner Mark Glass, who is stepping away from the role to accept a new role at the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, the governor said. He notified the governor of the change in early September.

“I think Mark has done a great job,” DeSantis said. “I think if you look at the agency when he started versus now, there’s been huge successes. The agency has done better than ever and we wish you well in this new endeavor. The pace of life is a little bit different down there than it is up here in North Florida so hopefully you guys adjust very, very quickly. Thank you for your service.”

Attorney General James Uthmeier credited much of Florida’s recent law enforcement success to Glass’s efforts.

“I do want to thank Commissioner Glass for some great years. The last few years, FDLE has been handed a lot of new responsibilities from retail theft to election fraud to assisting our child predator unit. We’ve broken every record in the book on arrests and prosecutions and Florida is at a record crime low in large part because of his leadership and help,” said Uthmeier.