From Staff Reports
A new era at the Apopka Police Department took shape Monday morning when Lovetta Quinn-Henry was sworn in as the APD's new Deputy Chief in a ceremony at City Hall. Quinn-Henry, the former deputy chief at the Orlando Police Department, is also expected to become the Apopka Police Chief when Michael McKinley retires in October.
"I am honored to serve as the Deputy Chief of the Apopka Police Department," Quinn-Henry said. "I look forward to working alongside Chief McKinley and the dedicated officers and professional staff to build on the department’s strong foundation of public safety, professionalism, and community engagement."
Apopka Deputy Chief of Police Lovetta Quinn-Henry.
She replaces former APD Deputy Police Chief Jerome Miller, who retired in December 2024.
In March, the Apopka City Council approved her appointment as deputy chief with a 5-0 vote.
Quinn-Henry worked for the OPD for over 25 years. Her career included leadership roles in Uniform Patrol, Criminal Investigations, Special Operations, Accreditation and Inspections, and Public Information. She also managed operations at the Orlando International Airport. She led the Critical Incident Stress Management Team, providing support during high-profile incidents such as the Pulse Nightclub shooting and citywide protests.
Her academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice, a Master of Science in Public Administration, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree. Quinn-Henry is also a graduate of the Southern Police Institute’s Command Officer Development Course, Liberty University’s Criminal Justice Executive Leadership Class, and the FBI Federal Executive Development School.
Under the terms of the employment agreement, Quinn-Henry will earn an initial base salary of $178,000 per year and be eligible for standard city employee benefits. The agreement stipulates that upon McKinley’s departure, Quinn-Henry will automatically be promoted to Chief of Police, provided she remains in good standing with city policies.
McKinley joined the APD in 2015 after serving over three decades at the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
"We are excited to welcome Deputy Chief Quinn-Henry to the Apopka Police Department as a key member of our leadership team," McKinley said. "Her extensive experience, knowledge, and education will be instrumental in ensuring that our department continues to operate as a premier law enforcement agency committed to best practices. I look forward to working closely with Deputy Chief Quinn-Henry over the next six months as we prepare for a smooth leadership transition ahead of my retirement. I am confident that, as Chief of Police, she will continue to advance the department’s mission and maintain the high level of service our community expects and deserves."
