Fran Iwanski- A brief look into the Kissimmee Police Chief

By the Osceola Woman NewspaperTM

The Kissimmee Police Department accepted its first female Chief of Police last October.  Fran Iwanski, a long time police officer for the department, was willing and able to accept the responsibility. We had the chance to ask Chief Iwanski some questions, and you, the reader may want to see her answers.

OWN: Who was the most influential and inspiring person in your life?

Chief Iwanski: I don’t believe there was one particular person in my life that influenced or inspired me. Very early in my life I was very fortunate to have been surrounded by a supporting, loving and value driven family and friends who loved the community and worked to make it better.

OWN: How were your parents instrumental in your success?

Chief Iwanski: My father always wanted to be a police officer, but economics prevented him from achieving his dream. I use to watch as he interacted with his friends who were local police officers. The excitement and honor of the profession he felt transferred to me. My mother, although never wanting to be a police officer, supported my profession and assisted greatly by caring for my three daughters while my husband and I were working the midnight shift.

OWN: How do you and your husband make time for each other?

Chief Iwanski: Like many married couples, you have to settle for quality not quantity. It’s easier on a marriage when your husband is in the same profession. There is less explaining when you don’t make it home on time.

OWN: How do you see your influence on young women as a role model, and what advice would you give them?

Chief Iwanski: Women of today are smart and strong. They know what it takes to get to the top. Being the first female Police Chief in Central Florida was no surprise to many, but long overdue. Most of the time professional women want to know how I successfully balance marriage, children, a home and my profession while achieving success. The answer is simple, I took the advice from one of the greatest woman of all times, Maya Angelou, when she said, “I’ve learned that making a “living” is not the same as “making a life.” I would pass that same advice on to other women.

OWN: How important has your work in the community been to your present position?

Chief Iwanski: Community involvement must work hand and hand with the success of any police agency. The belief that crime prevention is the sole job of a police department is inaccurate.  A crime free community depends upon community involvement. My involvement in the community has reflected positively upon the community and has reflected in lower crime rates.

OWN: What are your main goals as Chief of Police?

Chief Iwanski:

. To be a good steward of tax payers money

. Improve community relationships and build community trust

. To have a unified, accountable, professional, highly trained, efficient and effective department

OWN: How can we keep our youth away from drugs and crime?

Chief Iwanski: This is an age old problem which rests heavily upon the family. Children are not born drug users and criminals. Unfortunately, not everyone was meant to be a parent.

Years ago the School Resource Officer was in the best position to influence our youth but today their time is taken up by unruly parents and campus security leaving little time to be in a class room teaching students who wish to learn and be positive productive citizens.

OWN: What is your goal after serving as Chief of Police?

Chief Iwanski: My goal is to enjoy my children and grandchildren and hopefully have the financial freedom to experience life with them.

OWN: How have you been received as the first female Kissimmee Chief of Police?

Chief Iwanski: I have been received very well by members of the Kissimmee Police Department, members of the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office and citizens. I have worked with the Kissimmee Police Department for 20 years before being appointed to the position of Chief of Police which helped tremendously. My work ethic and knowledge in law enforcement was well established which gave credence to my ability to perform the duties of the Chief of Police.  People want a Chief who is a leader and has their best interest in mind, be it male or female.

Fran Iwanski started her career as a police officer in 1987, worked her way to Sergeant, then Commander, which was changed to Captain, only then to become the first woman police chief for the Kissimmee Police Department. So have you learned a little more about the Kissimmee Police Chief other than what you see and hear in the news all the time? Our hope is that this interview will have given you a little more knowledge into the philosophy behind Chief Iwanski.