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Message From The Chief
Chief Bernadette DiPino
941-954-7001 | bernadette.dipino@sarasotagov.com
Chief of Police
Bernadette DiPino
I am proud to share with you the Sarasota Police
Department's 2015 Annual Report. Four pineapples
have dropped and three whole years have passed
since I became Chief of Police here in Sarasota.
In that time we have faced and overcome many
challenges. One surprise was the sudden departure of
Deputy Chief (Colonel) Steve Moyer who accepted a
prestigious appointment to Secretary of Public Safety
from Maryland Governor Hogan. His vacancy left a
void, but a more than capable replacement was found
from within the rank and file of the SPD. After a
nationwide search, I selected and appointed Captain
Patrick Robinson to the position of Deputy Chief. He
has served in an exemplary manner and reaffirms
there is great talent and leadership within the SPD.
He has been an invaluable asset to the office of the
Chief. I am constantly impressed with his abilities
and the progress we are making.
2015 saw significant controversy for law
enforcement nationwide. From Ferguson to my
hometown of Baltimore, unrest and accusations
of misconduct of the police dominated the news.
A glaring issue which arose from these events was
significant distrust of police and lack of police/
community relationships in these cities. I am proud to
say we don't have the same issues here. The men and
women who serve as officers and civilians within
our police department are committed to building
relationships and trust as well as providing outstanding
customer service.
Over the last three years, I have seen a
distinct change in the interactions of the police and
the community we serve. Citizens feel confident
to call the police with concerns and issues and
cooperate as witnesses. Our community partners
share with us their appreciation as well as their
concerns and we are listening!
Our agency continues to help people with community
activities and grant funding. Our officers helped
children have a great Christmas with the "Shop with
a Cop" event. Our "Coffee with a Cop” and “Tea
with the Chief" programs provide social opportunities
for officers and citizens to meet in a friendly
atmosphere to ask questions and talk about current
events.
Our agency is quite progressive. I am proud our
agency is a trailblazer. Our city was one of only 40
cities invited to share our strategies at the White
House in a forum on the President’s Task Force on
21st Century Policing. Mayor Willie Shaw, City
Manager Tom Barwin, Rev. Kelvin Lumpkin and I
traveled to Washington DC to share our successes.