Website Slider Slide 1

police department

The mission of the Live Oak Police Department is to protect the lives and property of the citizens of this community, to preserve the peace, and to prevent crime and disorder while constantly guarding personal liberties as prescribed by law. We believe in the dignity and worth of people. The Live Oak Police Department is committed to providing high-quality, community oriented police services.

Website Slider Slide 1

police department

Eugene Keith Davis, Chief of Police
205 South East White Avenue
Live Oak, Florida 32064
Phone: (386) 362-7463
Email: DavisK@LiveOakPD.org
For Emergencies – Call 911

Disclaimer: According to Florida Public Records Law, email correspondence to and from the City of Live Oak, including email addresses and other personal information, is public record and must be made available to the public and media upon request, unless otherwise exempt by the Public Records Law. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.

Home
-
Police Department
-
History of the Police...

History of the Police Department

The Town of Live Oak was incorporated in April 24, 1878, when a group of 39 citizens met to create a seal and government for a town that at the time comprised an area of 960 acres. S. W. Hicks was appointed Town Marshall and tax collector. Among the ordinances passed at the meeting were ones fining the use of profanity; outlawing the parking of mules or horses on the paths and sidewalks; and punishing those who might needlessly hammer pots at hours when slumber should have been the order of the day!

Law enforcement in the City of Live Oak continued under the direction of the City Marshall/Tax Collector until 1883 when W.S.J. Blount is listed as the City Marshall in a single role. He was succeeded by about 17 other marshals. In 1946 the City Marshall designation was changed very unceremoniously to the Chief of Police. City records show that Chief C.W. Howard and each of his two officers had a salary of $100.00 per month in 1946. Howard was succeeded by three Chiefs through the year 1990.

The Department grew twelve sworn officers by 1986. The Chief of Police directed three sergeants and eight patrol officers. There were six marked patrol units and the department had two civilian secretaries.

The City Council voted to turn the law enforcement role over to the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office in 1990 due to budget constraints.

The Council reestablished the Live Oak Police Department on December 12, 1995. Chief Nolan McLeod took command and began restructuring process in 1996.

Chief McLeod turned over the helm of the agency to Interim Chief Alton K. “Buddy” Williams III in December 2006. Chief Williams was sworn in as the Chief of Police in March of 2007.

Chief Williams resigned from Chief of Police in August of 2019, at which time Captain Eugene Keith Davis was sworn in as the City of Live Oak’s new Police Chief. Chief Davis has been with the City of Live Oak since December 1997.

The Department presently has 17 sworn officers, consisting of the Chief, one Captain, a Patrol Lieutenant, four Sergeants, 14 full time patrol officers, one full-time Community Resource Officer, and a civilian support staff of three.