Faculty & Staff
Todd G. Everly, M.P.A.
Director of SWFPSA
Director Todd Everly began his public service career at the young age of 19 where he worked with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Facility. At the age of 20, he joined the Cape Coral Police Department and was promoted through the ranks becoming an Assistant Chief of Police in 2006. He since retired on September 2008 after serving a 25-year career in law enforcement.
Mr. Everly graduated from Central Michigan University with a Master of Science Degree in Public Administration. He also holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Barry University in Liberal Studies and an Associate of Science degree from Edison Community College in Criminal Justice.
Mr. Everly is a graduate of the Police Executive Research Forum, Senior Management Institute for Police (Session 25) , the Administrative Officers Management Program from North Carolina State University, the Executive Leadership Program held by the Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute and the Weapons of Mass Destruction Tactical Commanders Course held by the Louisiana State University, National Center for Biomedical Research & Training Academy of Counter-Terrorist Education, Department of Homeland Security.
Dennis Eads
Associate Director
Dennis Eads began his law enforcement career with the Fort Myers Police Department in 1986, serving the citizens of Fort Myers for 30 years, retiring in October of 2016. Dennis Attended and graduated from the Southwest Florida Public Service Academy class #49, in 1986. During his career with the Fort Myers Police Department Dennis held numerous positions that included Patrol Officer, Street Crimes Unit, Undercover Narcotics Detective, SWAT / SWAT Commander, DEA Task Force 1996/2001, Canine, Patrol Sergeant, Patrol Lieutenant, Bureau Commander Investigations, Bureau Commander Professional Standards Bureau, and Interim Chief of Police from August 2015- August 2016. Dennis has received numerous awards and commendations that include Officer of the year, several officer of the month recognitions, and numerous commendations. Dennis Has attended numerous courses in tactics and leadership presented by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Dennis has an associate’s degree from Edison College, B.A. in public administration from Edison State College, and a M.A. in administration from Barry University
Erica Rich
Law Enforcement and Crossover Coordinator
Coordinator Erica Rich has been in law enforcement since 2003 to include 16 years as a sworn police officer serving for the Laramie Police Department, Wyoming and Cape Coral Police Department, Florida. She has 19 years experience as a law enforcement instructor in areas such as Defensive Tactics, Use of Force, Health and Safety, Legal, Interviewing and Physical Fitness. Coordinator Rich started with the Southwest FL Public Service Academy in 2016 as an adjunct instructor and currently holds the position of the Law Enforcement Coordinator, which directly oversees more than 120 L.E. recruits yearly in the program to assist them on achieving FDLE state officer certification. Erica holds a B.A. in Criminal Justice from the University of Wyoming.
Scott Hall
Corrections and Corrections Probation Coordinator
Coordinator Scott Hall boasts a cumulative four decades of experience in the realm of law enforcement and corrections. His journey commenced in 1979 when he embarked on his career with the United States Air Force. Following his completion of basic training, he pursued further education at the Security Police Academy. Upon concluding his four-year tenure in the Air Force, Scott underwent a series of Civil Service examinations, which ultimately led to him being offered a Correction Officer role within the New York State Department of Corrections. He devoted a decade to his service within NYSDOC before making a pivotal decision in 1995 to relocate to Florida, where he assumed the role of Correction Officer within the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. His distinguished career at LCSO culminated in his retirement in 2021, attaining the esteemed rank of Colonel. Since 2007, Scott has fulfilled the role of an Adjunct Instructor at the SWFPSA, where he has provided instruction on a wide range of subjects, including general topics, Firearms, Vehicle Operations, and First Aid/CPR. Currently, Coordinator Hall presides over the Basic Corrections classes as well as the Correction Officer to Law Enforcement Crossover classes.
Isidro Lopez
Equivalency of Training Coordinator
Isidro Lopez began his career with the Lee County Sheriff’s
Office in 1992 as a Corrections Officer. He earned his law enforcement
certification in 1997. During his 30 years with the Lee County Sheriff’s
Office, Isidro served as Corrections Officer, Correction Sergeant, Patrol
Deputy, Gang Unit Detective, Auto Theft Detective, Corrections Investigator
Sergeant, Lieutenant and retiring as a Captain in 2022. Isidro has an
Associate’s degree from Edison State College and a Bachelor’s degree from
Hodges University.
Isidro holds certifications in General Instructor, Law Enforcement
Vehicle Operations, Firearms Instructor and Medical First Responder.
John R. Wayne, M.A.A., EMT-P
Fire Program Coordinator
John Wayne began his public service career in 1989 with Lee County EMS and a year later joined the Iona-McGregor Fire District as a Firefighter/EMT. He went on to work for the Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District where he worked his way up through the ranks starting out as a Firefighter/EMT and eventually held the ranks of Firefighter/Paramedic, Lieutenant/Paramedic, Battalion Chief, Deputy Chief of EMS, Assistant Chief, and Chief of the Department. He retired as the Fire Chief in July of 2016, after serving 24 years with the District. He is currently employed “part-time” with the Upper Captiva Fire Rescue District and is an Adjunct Professor with Florida SouthWestern State College in the fire science program. Mr. Wayne graduated from Barry University with a Master of Arts Degree in Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration. He also holds Associate of Science Degrees from Edison Community College in both Fire Science Technology and Emergency Medical Services Technology. Mr. Wayne is a State Certified Firefighter and a Paramedic and has completed more than 2000 hours of additional coursework at the Florida State Fire College and other training facilities throughout the state of Florida.
