Biko Duhaney, an eight-year veteran of LakelandPD, currently serves as a homicide detective in our Violent Crimes Unit. Prior to joining team LakelandPD, Biko served four years with the Norfolk Police Department in Virginia.
But long before he began a career in law enforcement, he pledged to serve his country by enlisting in the United States Navy in 2000. After completing his basic training in Great Lakes, Illinois, he was deployed to the Mediterranean Sea, Gulf of Oman, and the Gulf of Aden as part of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001. In 2003 he served in Operation Iraqi Freedom sailing near the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea. In 2019, he was most recently deployed to the Kingdom of Bahrain as a part of Operation Spartan Shield and Operation Inherent Resolve. He would serve abroad for 13 months as COVID-19 delayed his return.
Achieving the rank of 2nd Class Petty Officer, Biko has held a variety of jobs over his 20-year career. From 2000 to 2004, he served as a Gas Turbine Systems Mechanic and was responsible for the operation and maintenance of the ship’s gas turbine engines and diesel generators that were essential for propulsion and electricity. For the next four years, he would assume the duties of an Information Systems Technician, responsible for the encryption and decryption of message traffic and dissemination of directives to the Atlantic Fleet. In his current role, he serves as a Logistic Specialist, responsible for managing inventories of repair parts and general supplies for ships, squadrons, and shore-based commands, and associated military facilities across the Atlantic Fleet.
Biko said, “The military taught me to be prepared for anything. Additionally, the Navy’s core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment have influenced the pathway for civilian life and career in law enforcement. These values instilled a foundation for habits that are aligned with being productive and successful at any task.”
Biko said some of his favorite memories from serving in the military are from the fantastic places he has traveled to; places he never thought would be possible to visit. Some of his favorite locations included the City of Crete in Hania, Greece, Spain, and Turkey. He also has fond memories of eating dinner in Croatia and Malta and embracing the customs of the locals in the Seychelles Islands.
When asked what made him choose to serve in law enforcement, he replied, “I wanted to serve in law enforcement for the same reason I wanted to be in the military; to be part of something that has a meaningful impact. In addition, I wanted to be part of an entity that allows me to exercise and apply my core values each day. Serving in law enforcement has helped me to discover my purpose.”
Detective Duhaney, THANK YOU for your service to our country and now our City. We are lucky to have you at LakelandPD!