Dennis P. McFatten - Executive Director, Safety and Security
Dennis P. McFatten Jr. is a lifelong public servant and graduate of Vanguard High School’s Class of 1985 in the Marion County Public School system. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army, completing Basic Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and serving his first assignment in El Paso, Texas. He later continued his service in the U.S. Army Reserve with the 351st Military Police Unit in Ocala, which was activated during the Persian Gulf War from September 1990 through June 1991.
Chief McFatten began a career in public safety, first with the Florida Department of Corrections in 1990 and then with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office in 1994, where he served for 21 years in roles including Corrections Officer, Patrol Deputy, D.A.R.E. Officer, Sergeant, Field Force Commander, District Commander, and Patrol Captain.
In 2017, Chief McFatten joined Marion County Public Schools as Coordinator of Safe Schools and in 2019 was appointed Director of Safety and Security and Chief of Police for the Marion County School Board Police Department. In this role, he leads the district’s safety strategy, focusing on threat assessment, emergency preparedness, training, and best security practices across all School Board properties.
Chief McFatten holds an Associate of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from the College of Central Florida and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice with a minor in Management from Saint Leo University. With nearly 30 years of experience in military service, law enforcement, and school safety leadership, he remains committed to protecting students and supporting safe learning environments through strong leadership and collaboration.
Contact Information
Dennis McFatten, Executive Director of Safety and Security
[email protected]
(352) 671-6963
Jeanna Pirkl, Executive Secretary
[email protected]
(352) 671-6963