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 with approximately 179 sworn and approximately 65 un-sworn personnel and volunteers.
Mission
Professional, dedicated police service in partnership with our community.
Innovative and aggressively fighting crime and reducing the fear of crime.
Abiding by the highest standards of professional and ethical conduct. Treating each person with dignity and respect while maintaining accountability to the citizenry and each other.
Building and reinforcing relationships through communication, commitment and action.
Evolving in response to our public safety mandate.
Chief Bernadette DiPino is currently the Chief of the Sarasota Police Department. Chief DiPino is a 2001 graduate of the F.B.I.’s National Academy, an appointee to the Executive Committee of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and a member of the I.A.C.P. Foundation Board and represents the State of Florida Chiefs at the I.A.C.P. State Association of Chiefs of Police. She is a past President of the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association and was appointed by the Governor to serve on the Maryland Police Training Commission. During her distinguished career, she received numerous Departmental awards and citations; and has been recognized as Police Officer of the Year in 1987, 1993 and 1997. Chief DiPino was appointed as Chief of Police of the Sarasota Police Department on December 31, 2012. Chief DiPino began her career as a Police Officer with the Baltimore County Police in September 1985. In April 1998, Chief DiPino joined the Police Department for the Town of Ocean City, Maryland where she rose through the ranks from Narcotics Detective to Chief of Police; a position she held for nearly 10 years. 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 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, 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. 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.
