Val Demings

» Val Demings has been promoted to Orlando police chief, becoming the first woman to fill that post. She replaces Michael McCoy, who has signed on as head of public safety for Orange County. McCoy replaces Demings’ husband, Jerry Demings, who has stepped down to run against longtime incumbent Orange County Sheriff Kevin Beary. Jerry Demings was the city’s first African-American police chief, serving from 1999 to 2002.