Sarasota Police Department
 | This article does not cite any sources. (February 2021) |
| Sarasota Police Department | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | SPD |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 1913 |
| Annual budget | $27,000,000~ |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
 | |
| Map of Sarasota Police Department's jurisdiction | |
| Size | 26 square miles (67 km2) total, 15 square miles (39 km2) land |
| Population | 59,000 |
| Legal jurisdiction | Municipal |
| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | 2099 Adams Lane, Sarasota, Florida |
| Officers | 179 Uniformed |
| Civilians | 65~ Employees, |
| Agency executive |
|
| Facilities | |
| Police Stations | 1 Primary, 1 Sub-stations |
| Jails | Sarasota County Sheriff's Office North Jail |
| Patrol Cars | 175 |
| Unmarked/Non-Patrol Vehicles | 90 |
| Police Boats | 2 |
| K9 Dogs | 4 |
| Notables | |
| Awards | |
| Website | |
| sarasotapd | |
The Sarasota Police Department is a full-service law enforcement agency for Sarasota, Florida. It provides police services to 59,000 residents. The Sarasota Police Department operates on a budget of $26,902,601 (2011–2012) with approximately 179 sworn and approximately 65 un-sworn personnel and volunteers.
Departments[]
Chief of Police[]
City Manager Marlon Brown has announced the appointment of Captain James Rieser as Chief of Police of the Sarasota Police Department. With nearly 30 years of law enforcement experience, Rieser serves as the City of Sarasota’s 12th police chief. He began his new position on Friday, January 29, 2021.
“It’s an honor to promote and appoint Jim Rieser to become SPD’s 12th chief of police,” Brown said. “During his 29-year career with SPD, he has risen through the ranks from police officer 2nd class to sergeant, lieutenant and has been serving as captain for the past six years. He’s well-respected in the department and community and well-versed with SPD’s extensive policies and initiatives. He is prepared to step in as chief immediately and move the organization forward, strengthen trust between law enforcement and neighborhoods and lead SPD into a new technological realm with body worn cameras.
“Having spent most of his life in Sarasota and being a city resident, he is fully committed and dedicated to our community. Being the chief is a significant responsibility, and Jim Rieser will serve our community and the men and women of SPD well.”
Rieser joined the department in April 1992.
“I’ve worked alongside the men and women of the Sarasota Police Department since 1992 when I became a patrol officer to serve this amazing community,” Rieser said. “I’m honored and humbled to have the privilege to be able to lead this agency moving forward. I am looking forward to continuing to partner with our community and working with our agency to keep the City of Sarasota a safe place to live, work, and play.”
Rieser has an extensive background in law enforcement and public safety. He attended the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) Senior Management Institute for Police, the Southern Police Institute (SPI) in Kentucky, and took line supervisor and middle management law enforcement classes at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
“With Jim Rieser’s appointment today this community can rest assured that public safety and police services will not skip a beat, and we are fortunate to have someone with his experience, character and integrity ready and willing to step up and serve in this new role as our next police chief,” said Mayor Hagen Brody.
Since joining the ranks of the department, he has served in the Patrol Division, Professional Standards Division, Narcotics and Criminal Investigations Division, and most recently was the commander of the Support Services Division. During his service, he’s been awarded a Life-Saving Medal, Distinguished Service Medal and Meritorious Service Medal, as well as several commendations.
Born in Oyster Bay, N.Y., Rieser has called Sarasota home since he was a young boy. He attended Wilkinson Elementary School, Brookside Middle School, Riverview High School and Manatee Community College and holds a bachelor’s degree in criminology from Saint Leo University.
Rieser and his wife live in Sarasota and are the proud parents of two children. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with family and playing tennis.
The Chief of Police is the executive officer of the Sarasota Police Department and is ultimately responsible for decisions regarding policy, enforcement and use of resources in conjunction with the City Manager and the City Commission. The Chief maintains command authority over all department employees, both sworn and civilian. Her office support staff consists of one full-time executive assistant and one part-time administrative specialist. The Office of the Chief of Police includes:
- Office of Administrative Captain - which oversees various administrative aspects of the department.
- Planning and Inspections Unit - which oversees policy changes and resource allotment.
- Internal Affairs and Complaints (IAC) Section - which oversees any and all allegations of police misconduct and complaints filed on officers.
Criminal Investigations Division (CID)[]
The primary function of the Criminal Investigation Division is to conduct follow-up investigations of reported crimes. These investigations consist of interviewing suspects, victims and witnesses; analyzing information for validity, reliability and accuracy and compiling a comprehensive and factual case file to be presented in court.
Support Services Division[]
The Support Services Division oversees Training, Background and Recruitment, Property and Evidence, Records, MIS (Management Information Systems), Alarms, Payroll and Personnel, Fiscal and Administration, Fleet, Red Light Camera Program, School Crossing Guards and Quartermaster.
Patrol Division[]
The Patrol Division is commanded by one Captain and one Deputy Commander who holds the rank of Lieutenant. Uniform Patrol Operations, Special Response Units, Crime Prevention and the Sarasota P.D. Volunteer Program are under the Bureau of Patrol Operations.
Stations[]
The station main police is located at 2099 Adams Lane Sarasota, Florida 34237 All civilian employees and sworn personnel operate from this station.
Equipment[]
Vehicles[]
The department currently owns two Yellowfin boats to provide service to those in Sarasota Bay. The traffic unit has 4 Harley-Davidson police motorcycles, and each traffic officer is provided with a patrol car.[citation needed] The department uses Chevrolet Impala police model and Chevy Tahoe police model.
Firearms[]
The department issues Glock 22, .40 caliber handguns to all sworn officers.[citation needed]
Ranks[]
| Rank | Insignia |
|---|---|
| Chief | 
|
| Captain | 
|
| Lieutenant | 
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| Sergeant |  |
| Officer / Detective | |
| Recruit/Cadet |
Line of duty Deaths[]
One local officer has died in the line of duty.
| Officer | Date of Death | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Officer Warren David Jones | Saturday, April 5, 1975 | Gunfire |
See also[]
- List of U.S. state and local law enforcement agencies
References[]
External links[]
Coordinates: 27°20′5.45″N 82°31′44.35″W / 27.3348472°N 82.5289861°W
- Sarasota, Florida
- Municipal police departments of Florida