Professional Development


Lieutenant Derek Chenoweth currently serves as the supervisor of the Professional Development Division, which encompasses, recruitment, background investigations, managing the field training program, advanced & in-service training, and accreditation.  

Chenoweth, Derek
  1. Derek Chenoweth

    Lieutenant/Professional Development

Lieutenant Chenoweth graduated with Class 94 of the Seminole State College Police Academy in 2008.  He started his law enforcement career with the Longwood Police Department in 2009 working in the patrol division. In 2012 he became a K-9 handler, working with a drug detection Labrador “Jessie”. He served in that capacity until Jessie’s retirement in 2018. In 2013 he was promoted to the rank of Corporal and served as a supervisor for a patrol shift on both days and nights. In 2015 he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and continued to serve in the patrol division. In 2020 he was assigned to the community relations unit where he supervised the school resource officer program, community events, sex offender monitoring, social media, and served as the agency public information officer.

In 2022 he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and assigned to the Enforcement Support Division. In 2023, Lieutenant Chenoweth was reassigned to the Professional Development Division. This division includes, Recruiting, Backgrounds, Training and Accreditation.  Lieutenant Chenoweth is an FDLE general law enforcement instructor and firearms instructor. He has previously been a member of the honor guard and also an explorer advisor.

Lieutenant Chenoweth has earned the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy award for completing the supervisor leadership institute, command leadership institute, and executive leadership institute. He has also graduated from the 160-hour Public Safety Leadership Development Certification Program at Valencia Community College. Lieutenant Chenoweth earned an Associate's Degree from Seminole State College in 2015 and he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice in 2022 from the University of Central Florida.  

Lieutenant Chenoweth is an avid supporter of the Orlando City Soccer Club and enjoys attending matches with his family.