Ryan Woods has been named the new Chief of Police at Santa Fe College, effective October 1. Woods is currently Major and serves as the second-highest ranking member of the Santa Fe College Police Department (SFPD). He has worked with SFPD for 26 years, advancing from Officer to Lieutenant and Captain before his current role.
Woods oversees both administrative and operational functions for the department. He also chairs the college’s Behavioral Intervention Team, which is responsible for threat assessments and creating cross-functional response plans. In addition, he leads emergency communication strategies, safety presentations, and orientations across campus.
The appointment follows a search process initiated in late May after former Chief of Police Ed Book announced his retirement. A screening committee composed of college staff and community members reviewed candidates and conducted semifinalist interviews before making a recommendation. Finalists were invited to campus for interviews and participated in a forum open to the college community.
“Major Woods has a proven track record of public service and is deeply committed to campus safety. He has dedicated his career to Santa Fe College and will uphold the highest standards of professionalism and operational effectiveness. He will bring a collaborative, innovative and community-focused approach to the position and will continue to advance SFPD by building on its previous accomplishments,” according to an official statement from the college.
Woods grew up in Gainesville and earned both Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees in Criminal Justice from Santa Fe College. He graduated from SF’s Institute of Public Safety’s law enforcement program, then went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Master of Science in Public Administration from Saint Leo University. His previous roles at Santa Fe College include adjunct instructor in Criminal Justice, Recruitment and Retention Manager, as well as founder of the Association of Florida Colleges Campus Safety Commission.
