Mark Renkens To Be Officially Sworn In As Permanent Palm Bay Police Chief

By  //  April 25, 2015

with palm bay police since 1989

Newly appointed City Manager Gregg Lynk announces the Interim Police Chief Mark Renkens will be officially sworn in as the permanent police chief. (Image for SpaceCoastDaily.com)
Newly appointed City Manager Gregg Lynk announces the Interim Police Chief Mark Renkens will be officially sworn in as the permanent police chief. (Image for SpaceCoastDaily.com)

BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA — Newly appointed City Manager Gregg Lynk announces the Interim Police Chief Mark Renkens will be officially sworn in as the permanent police chief.

Renkens will assume the official duties on Sunday April 26.

He has been interim chief since January.

City Attorney Andrew Lannon will administer the official Oath of Office on May 7 during the regular council meeting which begins at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.

Chief Renkens began his career with the Palm Bay Police Department on November 18, 1989.

Gregg Lynk
Gregg Lynk

“It’s an honor for me to appoint him as the city’s next chief,” Lynk said.

“Chief Renkens has faithfully served the citizens of Palm Bay for more than 25 years and we are very fortunate he is willing to accept this as a permanent role. I have very high expectations and am confident he can meet the challenges ahead.”

Prior to joining the agency, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps for four years. Chief Renkens has a master’s degree in administration of justice and security from the University of Phoenix and is a graduate of the 212th Session of the FBI National Academy.

Palm Bay Police Chief Honors Employees PerformancesRelated Story:
Palm Bay Police Chief Honors Employees Performances

He is also a graduate of the Senior Management Institute of Police and the FBI’s Executive Development Program.

During his tenure with the Palm Bay Police Department he worked in a variety of disciplines to include field training officer, honor guard member, SWAT team member and detective.

He was promoted to sergeant in 2000 and served as a patrol supervisor, special operations supervisor and traffic unit supervisor. In 2007 he was promoted to lieutenant and served as the code enforcement manager and patrol watch commander.

VIDEO: Palm Bay Remembers Fallen Officers On Anniversary of DeathsRelated Story:
VIDEO: Palm Bay Remembers Fallen Officers On Anniversary of Deaths

In 2010 he was promoted to captain and served as the District 2 commander and support services commander.

He was promoted to deputy chief in September 2013 and became interim chief in January 2015.

Mark Renkens
Mark Renkens

“I’m looking forward to this opportunity,” Chief Renkens said.

“We have a lot of work to do to fill vacancies and make sure we recruit the best, brightest and most talented professionals to join our team.

“My goal is to build the strongest team of law enforcement professionals in order to take us to the next level and to improve the overall quality of life for everyone who calls Palm Bay home.”

The Palm Bay Police Department is the second-largest municipal law enforcement agency in Brevard County with 160 sworn positions and 79 civilian positions.

In 2013 the city was listed as the fourth safest city of its size (more than 100,000 residents) in the State of Florida according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Uniform Crime Report.