Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler are the gold standard when it comes to Hollywood crime fighters. Just ask Taylor Swift’s cat. But there are no scripts or reshoots for those sworn to serve and protect. Fort Lauderdale Chief of Police William Schultz learned that when he joined the department in 2001.
Since that time, he has risen in the ranks and earned the top spot in 2023. Schultz holds both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Eastern Michigan University. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police.
Growing up in rural Michigan, one of his fondest memories is of making homemade pizza with his Dad. To this day, Schultz’s favorite food is pizza, pepperoni and green pepper to be exact.
Schultz was outed early in his career but that didn’t stop him from continuing to be a model police officer. His abilities to lead were already well documented, and he took what could have derailed the career he loved and turned it into the opportunity to educate his fellow officers by forming the department’s LGBT Liaison initiative.
When not on duty, Schultz continues to help those in need. He runs the nonprofit organization he founded called Undercover Santa. Since 2005, Schultz has played Santa to underprivileged children and families by providing thousands of toys and grocery gift cards made possible through the generosity of donors.
“Undercover Santa is now an official 501(c)(3),” Schultz said. “We’re also establishing a college scholarship fund for deserving students.” Truly, this is a Santa cause in which to believe.
To learn more, visit www.undercover-santa.com.
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