I am Lieutenant Tenicia J. Poitier, currently serving as the Executive Officer for the Corrections Support Services Division within the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. A proud native of Florida, I was born and raised in Fort Pierce, just north of West Palm Beach.
My dedication to public service began with the United States Army, where I served from 1990 to 1993, followed by continued service in the United States Army Reserves until 1998. During this time, I was assigned to Military Intelligence (MI) units and had the privilege of serving both domestically and abroad.
My law enforcement career commenced in 1994 as a Deputy Sheriff with the Saint Lucie County Sheriff’s Office in Fort Pierce. After nearly three years of service, I transitioned to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office in 1997, where I continued my commitment to public safety and professional development. In 1998, I completed the law enforcement crossover academy at Indian River Community College (now Indian River State College), earning dual certification in Corrections and Law Enforcement.
In 2001, I was assigned to the Classification Unit at the Main Detention Center. Two years later, I was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, with assignments across the Central Detention Center, Main Detention Center, and Corrections Support Services Division. I achieved the rank of Lieutenant in 2011, with subsequent assignments including the Main Detention Center, Training Division, Inmate Management Division, and currently, the Corrections Support Services Division.
My academic accomplishments reflect my commitment to lifelong learning and leadership. I earned an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Indian River Community College in 1998, followed by a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration from Barry University in 2005. In 2008, I was honored to be selected by the agency to attend the Southern Police Institute’s prestigious Administrative Officers Course and Police Executive Leadership Graduate Program at the University of Louisville. I later completed my Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a specialization in Financial Management from Northcentral University in 2010.
Additional certifications include:
- Certified Jail Manager (CJM) – American Jail Association (2012)
- Force Science Analyst – Force Science Institute, Chicago, IL (2016)
With over three decades of combined military and law enforcement service, I remain committed to supporting innovation, professionalism, and best practices within the Corrections Division. I am proud to contribute to an agency that prioritizes excellence, training, and progressive leadership in the criminal justice field.
