Sheriff Ken J. Mascara was born in Hollywood, Florida and raised in St. Lucie County. He graduated high school from Fort Pierce Central High and completed both his Associate of Arts Degree and Associate of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Technology from Indian River State College. He later completed his Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Florida Atlantic University. Sheriff Mascara also holds a Doctorate in Chiropractic from Life University.
In 1976, Sheriff Mascara completed the Florida Corrections Officer Basic Recruit Academy (Class 12) at Indian River State College and was hired by the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office as a certified detention deputy. In 1977, he completed the Florida Law Enforcement Basic Recruit Academy (Class 4) at Indian River State College and was re-assigned as a road patrol deputy.
Sheriff Ken Mascara was first elected sheriff of St. Lucie County in November of 2000 and was sworn into his first term of office in January of 2001. He has since been re-elected every four years. As a constitutional officer, Sheriff Mascara is the chief law enforcement and correctional officer of the county and has the exclusive authority to administer the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office and is responsible for preserving the peace throughout the county, carrying out the laws of the state, the orders of Florida courts and the ordinances of the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners.
Sheriff Ken Mascara is currently the chairman of the Florida Sheriff's Risk Management Consortium, a $400 million dollar insurance fund; is past chair of the Florida Commission for Law Enforcement Accreditation, the only Sheriff to serve two consecutive terms; and is a board member of the Florida Sheriff's Youth Ranches.
Other notable accomplishment include membership in the National Sheriffs Association, Florida Sheriffs Association, Treasure Coast Chiefs of Police and Sheriffs Association and St. Lucie County Executive Roundtable; graduate of the FBI Federal Executive Development Seminar and FBI National Executive Institute Class 30; participant in the 2005 National Hurricane Advisory Board; and recipient of the 2009 U.S. Attorney's Office Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award and Florida Crime Prevention Association's 2017 President's Award.
In 1976, Sheriff Mascara completed the Florida Corrections Officer Basic Recruit Academy (Class 12) at Indian River State College and was hired by the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office as a certified detention deputy. In 1977, he completed the Florida Law Enforcement Basic Recruit Academy (Class 4) at Indian River State College and was re-assigned as a road patrol deputy.
Sheriff Ken Mascara was first elected sheriff of St. Lucie County in November of 2000 and was sworn into his first term of office in January of 2001. He has since been re-elected every four years. As a constitutional officer, Sheriff Mascara is the chief law enforcement and correctional officer of the county and has the exclusive authority to administer the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office and is responsible for preserving the peace throughout the county, carrying out the laws of the state, the orders of Florida courts and the ordinances of the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners.
Sheriff Ken Mascara is currently the chairman of the Florida Sheriff's Risk Management Consortium, a $400 million dollar insurance fund; is past chair of the Florida Commission for Law Enforcement Accreditation, the only Sheriff to serve two consecutive terms; and is a board member of the Florida Sheriff's Youth Ranches.
Other notable accomplishment include membership in the National Sheriffs Association, Florida Sheriffs Association, Treasure Coast Chiefs of Police and Sheriffs Association and St. Lucie County Executive Roundtable; graduate of the FBI Federal Executive Development Seminar and FBI National Executive Institute Class 30; participant in the 2005 National Hurricane Advisory Board; and recipient of the 2009 U.S. Attorney's Office Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award and Florida Crime Prevention Association's 2017 President's Award.