An Ocala Police Department officer has retired after 26 years of service to the community.

Over the course of his career, Officer Jason Douglas was involved in many units such as the honor guard, hostage negotiation, and rifle team, and he was also a field training officer. Additionally, he enjoyed serving as a school resource officer at multiple local schools, including Hillcrest.

Ocala police officer retires after 26 year career
Officer Jason Douglas recently retired after a 26-year career with the Ocala Police Department (Photos: Ocala Police Department)
Ocala police officer retires after 26 year career 2
Officer Jason Douglas was involved in multiple OPD units over the years (Photo: Ocala Police Department)

In a social media post, OPD stated that Douglas’ dedication to law enforcement enabled him to excel in this field. As a police officer, he earned his master’s degree in criminology from the University of Central Florida.

Douglas previously served as an adjunct professor at Rasmussen University and Strayer University, and he also served as a past president of the Fraternal Order of Police’s local chapter.

After his retirement, Douglas was sworn in as an Ocala Police Department reserve officer, and he will work in the training department. In this next stage of his law enforcement career, he will utilize his knowledge and expertise to assist with instructing other OPD officers.

Ocala police officer retires after 26 year career 1
Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken (right) thanking Officer Jason (left) for his years of service to the department (Photo: Ocala Police Department)

Douglas is excited to start this new chapter and is looking forward to having more time to spend at home with his family.

“Thank you, Jason, for all your years of service to the city of Ocala,” stated the Ocala Police Department on its Facebook page. “We congratulate you on this new chapter in retirement.”