Meet The PAL Team
OFFICER FRED LEWIS
Officer Lewis is a Program Coordinator for the Lakeland Police Athletic League (PAL).
Officer Fred Lewis was born and raised in Benton Harbor, Michigan. In 1970, Lewis relocated to, and grew up in, Avon Park, Florida —eventually moving to Fort Meade, Florida. Lewis attended and earned his high school diploma from Fort Meade Jr/Sr High School in 1983. Shortly after graduating from high school, Lewis joined the US Army where he served as a Unit Supply Specialist and Combat Engineer for 8 years.
In 1991 Lewis separated from the armed forces with an Honorable Discharge. Officer Lewis relocated to Lakeland, Florida in 1993 and shortly thereafter joined the Lakeland Police Department on October 31, 1994. While being employed at the Lakeland Police Department, Officer Lewis has held several positions, including: Patrolman, School Resource Officer, and Community Oriented Policing Officer.
In addition to the various roles held throughout his career with the department, Officer Lewis also completed the necessary requirements needed to become a Certified Instructor and Certified Gang Officer.
In his spare time, Lewis enjoys sharpening his culinary knowledge and skills. In fact, in 2017 Lewis enrolled in a Culinary Arts school and fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming a Certified Chef. In 2018, Officer Lewis became the CEO and proud owner of Fred’s Roadside Café — a food truck business that offers an array of southern-style items ranging from BBQ, to seafood.
Officer Fred Lewis
OFFICER O.J. WESLEY
Officer Wesley is a Program Coordinator for the Lakeland Police Athletic League (PAL).
Officer Wesley has been with the Lakeland Police Department for approximately 25 years and is currently assigned to Lakeland High School as a School Resource Officer. During his tenure with the Lakeland Police Department he has served many roles such as a Neighborhood Liaison Officer, Detective, (Special Investigations Section), PAL Coordinator, Field Training Officer, and COPS Officer. Officer Wesley is also certified in Crisis Intervention (CIT). He holds an AA Degree in Criminal Justice from St. Leo University.
Before coming to the Lakeland Police Department, Officer Wesley served in the United States Navy and was selected as Sailor Of The Year onboard his ship (USS WILLAMETTE) that held approximately 3,000 sailors. He also worked for the Polk County Sheriff Office (Deputy Sheriff) and Ft. Meade Police Department (Police Officer) before moving to Lakeland. Throughout Officer Wesley career he has received many awards and accommodations. He has also been selected as Detective of the Year and the Presidents ‘RoundTable Award during his years with LPD.
Officer O.J. Wesley
CRYSTAL DAVIS
Crystal Davis is part of the PAL Board of Directors as Treasurer.
Crystal S. Davis is the Director of Crystal’s World of Dance, the Founder of the Community Arts Mentoring Program, and the Producer/Writer of the community-based holiday production, The Crystal Nutcracker. Full time, Crystal works for the Lakeland Police Department as the Juvenile Justice Program Coordinator where she implements programs that serve as an alternative to juvenile arrest and truancy. She is also an Adjunct Professor at Springfield College where she teaches The Study of Theatre and Drama in Expressing Social Change and Social Justice; Crystal has a Maters Degree in Non Profit Organizational Leadership Management, and post graduate certificate in Criminal Justice. Born and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts, Crystal began dancing at the young age of 7. Crystal relocated to Lakeland, Florida in 2003 and instantly saw a need to give youth the opportunities to develop talent, confidence, discipline. Crystal believes that dance and the arts is a fundamental component of our society and should be accessible in all communities. Crystal has always had a passion for working with people, especially children. In 2003, she opened Crystal’s World of Dance. In 2005, Crystal closed her studio, which was located at 819 North Lake Parker Avenue, and began offering classes at the Simpson Park Community Center, followed by classes at the Coleman-Bush Building. This collaboration with the City allowed Crystal to expose the art of dance to a broader demographic. Crystal continues to follow her passion of mentoring through dance because of the commitment she made to provide youth the same opportunities she had as a dance student. To date, Crystal’s World of Dance is located at 801 N Massachusetts Ave , and serves over 150 dancers, has many instructors, and has several parent volunteers.
In January 2010, Crystal lost her father to a senseless act of gang violence, which was Lakeland’s first homicide of the year. With faith and support from loved ones and the community, she came through that life-changing tragedy with a newfound appreciation for the transformative power of dance and its ability to bring people together. Through her passion for dance, she was able to heal while inspiring others. Crystal is an advocate for restorative justice. She believes the death of her father reaffirmed the importance of teaching youth life lessons that focus on resiliency through the essential elements of dance. Crystal is one of Lakeland’s most highly respected dance instructors, a community leader, and a youth advocate. She is credited for exposing African Dance and student-centered dance programs throughout the City. As a choreographer, she has created an innovative style of dance which is a collaboration of African and Jazz Dance. Crystal is Chapter President of the Epsilon Beta Zeta chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated where conducts community service and coordinates events to raise funds for students scholarships. The International Association of Blacks in Dance, and The American Dance Therapy Association. Crystal has a deeply rooted love and passion for working with at risk youth, and has a driven spirit that motivates her to accomplish her goals.
Crystal S. Davis
LASHUNDA LUSTER
LaShunda Luster is a Program Coordinator for the Lakeland Police Athletic League (PAL).
LaShunda Luster was born and raised in Lakeland, FL. After graduating from Kathleen High School, she later went on to earn a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Business Adminstration from Polk State College.
Lashunda joined the City of Lakeland through Lakeland Electric in 1996 as a meter reader. She transitioned to the Lakeland Police Department in 2006 and went on to serve in a variety of roles with our Records Division, General Service Section and the office of the Chief of Police. She then moved back to City Hall in 2016, working as the senior administrative assistance for the Deputy City Manager and Assistant City Manager. In 2021, she transitioned back to LakelandPD as the Civilian Program Coordinator for Lakeland PAL.
LaShunda has been a member of Toastmasters International since 2014, and has been a volunteer for Big Brothers, Big Sisters Inc. She was nominated for the “She Knows Where She’s Going” award from Girls, Inc., for her contributions to the program.
She enjoys conversation and brings laughter to any interaction she has. Her goal is to give back to the community in which she has grown up in, and to make her mark within the City of Lakeland.
LaShunda Luster
SERGEANT NICHOLAS REX
Sergeant Rex is the supervisor and executive director of the Lakeland Police Athletic League (PAL).
Sergeant Nicholas Rex was born and raised in Lakeland, Florida and graduated from Lake Gibson Senior High School in 2009. After high school, Nicholas attended Campbell University where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies. Nicholas also attended Arizona State University where he earned a Master’s Degree in Film and Media. Nicholas was also a standout wrestler in both high school and college. He was an Florida state championship finalist, NCAA Division I scholarship athlete at both Campbell University and Arizona State University, and a conference championship finalist in both the Southern Conference and Pac-12 Conference.
At the Lakeland Police Department, Sergeant Rex has served in the Uniformed Patrol Division as a Patrol officer and patrol supervisor, the Special Investigations Section as a Street Crimes officer, and the Criminal Investigations Section as an Intelligence Detective. Sergeant Rex also currently serves as a member of the Special Weapons and Tactics team, drone unit, and is the Treasurer for the Florida Swat Association.
He proudly serves as a defensive tactics instructor for the Lakeland Police Department, Kenneth C. Thompson Institute of Public Safety, and as a volunteer assistant wrestling coach at Southeastern University.
Sergeant Rex looks forward to the opportunity to continue serving the citizens of Lakeland through the Police Athletic League.
Sergeant Nicholas Rex
LIEUTENANT SHAWN COLLINS
Lieutenant Shawn Collins is the Police Athletic League (PAL) Supervisor.
Shawn Collins was born and raised in the western suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio and moved to Lakeland in 1994. Shawn attended the Kenneth C. Thompson Institute of Public Safety where he obtained his law enforcement certificate in 1995. After graduation, he started his law enforcement career with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office where he worked for 3 years before joining the Lakeland Police Department. During Shawn’s 24+ year career in law enforcement, he has served in Uniformed Patrol, Street Crimes, Law Enforcement Academy Coordinator, General Services, Accreditation, Community Services/School Resource Section, Special Weapons and Tactics, Crisis Negations Team, Crisis Intervention Team, and “Drone” Unit Coordinator. He also serves as trustee on the LPD’s Police Officer Retirement Board and representative of the West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association.
Shawn holds two Master’s Degrees; one in Criminal Justice from Troy University and a second in Organizational Leadership from the University of South Dakota. He is currently working on his Ph.D. in Criminal Justice (Homeland Security) from Liberty University.
Shawn’s passion is teaching! In his spare time, he enjoys teaching at several different colleges and universities. He has been an adjunct instructor for traditional/online classes at the Kenneth C. Thompson Institute of Public Safety and Polk State College for the past 18 years. In addition, Shawn is a part-time national trainer for the A.L.I.C.E Institute, focusing on options-based training for civilians and single response tactics in Violent Critical Incidents.
Lieutenant Shawn Collins