Congratulations to Captain Ron Bowling Jr who graduated from the National Public Safety Innovation Academy (NIA) this past week.
NIA is an eight-week executive-level academy for law enforcement and correctional staff pursuing future command positions within their agencies developed by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office The program offers an innovative alternative to traditional leadership training because it is always evolving and takes into consideration technologies, methodologies and future trends. The renowned subject matter experts addressed many of the leadership challenges facing today’s public safety professionals as well discussed what to expect in the future.
Captain Ronald Bowling, Jr. has been a resident of Lakeland for most of his life. After graduating from Mulberry Senior High School in 1993, he attended Florida State University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminology in 1997. While attending Florida State, he joined the United States Marine Corps Reserves and was honorably discharged after ten years of service as an M1A1 tank commander. After a five-year break in military service, he joined the US Army Reserves and is currently a Special Agent in the Criminal Investigation Division.
Captain Bowling was hired by the Lakeland Police Department in 1997 and assigned to the Uniform Patrol Division and Street Crimes Unit. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2007 and was a supervisor in the Uniform Patrol Division, the Neighborhood Liaison Unit, and Street Crimes Unit. In 2014, he was promoted to Lieutenant, where he was the Officer in Charge of Uniform Patrol Squads Bravo and Delta. Later he supervised the Special Investigations Section and, most recently, the Criminal Investigations Section. Bowling served on the LPD honor guard and was a 15-year member on the SWAT team. He has competed with the LPD SWAT Round-Up team for 12 years and was able to help his team win the International SWAT Round-Up Competition four times. He was promoted to his current rank of Captain in 2020 and currently commands the General Services Section which includes hiring and recruiting, training, property and evidence, quartermaster, 911 Communications and Fleet and Facilities Management.
Captain Bowling has a strong family heritage at the Lakeland Police Department. His father, Ronald Bowling, Sr. is a retired LPD police officer and Lakeland’s first K-9 handler. His brother Officer Cory Bowling currently serves as a K-9 handler at LPD.
Congratulations, Captain Bowling! We are proud to have you on this team serving the citizens of Lakeland.