News & Views: April - June 2023

NEWS AND VIEWS

RECOGNITION

QUARTERLY BRIGHT STAR AWARDS

CORPORAL BRIAN KIRCHGRABER, LAW ENFORCEMENT

Corporal Brian Kirchgraber was recognized for finding a missing elderly woman so that her family could have a final farewell. When the missing woman’s car was located outside a closed retail store at 2:00 a.m. Kirchgraber had a strong intuition the victim was inside the store. He researched the store and located the manager’s information, getting them to respond to open the store in case this victim had experienced a medical episode and was overlooked inside the store at closing. He found the elderly woman in the locked handicapped stall of the bathroom, and reassured the victim until medical help arrived. She was transported to the hospital where she was reunited with her family. Later that day, the victim passed away, but thanks to Corporal Kirchgraber her family was able to be with her as she passed, and was very grateful.

DEPUTY MARK NELSON, DETENTION

Deputy Mark Nelson was recognized for his compassion, empathy, resilience, and interpersonal skills. His ability to maintain high standards and deliver exceptional service in maximum security situations is truly commendable, according to his coworkers. He navigates the demanding and often emotionally draining environment of a correctional facility with remarkable grace and determination. Regardless of the circumstances, he consistently displays unwavering professionalism, ensuring the safety and security of both staff members and inmates. Moreover, his exceptional interpersonal skills and vibrant personality have earned him the admiration and respect of both colleagues and the inmates under his supervision, creating an atmosphere of mutual respect and cooperation. Whether it’s offering a listening ear, providing words of encouragement, or lending a helping hand, Deputy Nelson’s compassion and empathy have a profound effect on those around him.

PROPERTY AND EVIDENCE TECHNICIAN FAYE WILKINSON, CIVILIAN

Property and Evidence Technician Faye Wilkinson is recognized for seeing a threat of anti-law enforcement violence and suicide and taking prompt action. While assigned to the front counter, she was assisting a couple who were collecting property. During this interaction, the couple informed her that their niece had sent a text message threatening to kill police and implying suicide. The couple was from out of state and only here to finalize the affairs of a deceased father, and they weren’t sure what to do or if they wanted to get involved. Wilkinson explained to the couple the importance of reporting the incident formally and assisted by having deputies respond to the lobby and take their report. Afterwards, the Threat Management Unit became involved, which resulted in a firearm being removed from the niece’s custody. Wilkinson’s attitude, initiative, and good judgment are assets to the division.

BY LAURA L. SULLIVAN HEALTH

Jail Gym Reopens with New Equipment, Open Layout

After undergoing extensive renovations the jail gym reopened in May to rave reviews. “There has been a really positive response,” said Fitness Specialist Justin Walsh. He’s been seeing a lot more people there lately, including new faces. “Before, some people opted to go to their own gym to have access to certain machines. Now they feel they can come here. It’s new, it’s clean, it feels good.”

cable machines. Our old cable machine took up half the room.”

When designing the gym, Walsh took everyone’s training styles into consideration. “I tried to fit all different types of training modalities: cardio, heavy weights like bodybuilding style, CrossFit style.” Some people complain if their favorite machine was lost in the upgrades, but Walsh has them covered. “I show them the different modifications they can do to hit that same muscle. The machines may have changed, but nothing has really been lost.”

Before the renovations, all the cardio and weight equipment were in the same room. “It was kind of a safety concern with all of the treadmills and ellipticals right next to each other, with weights and machines right behind them. It was overcrowded.” Fortunately there was an adjoining conference room that could be converted into an additional gym annex to house all of the cardio machines. “That opened up a lot of space, and we added two more machines.”

Eventually, he got approval to update both the SAB and the jail gyms with all new equipment. “Some might say, a weight is a weight,” Walsh said, “but the main issue was repairs. Things kept breaking, and that company isn’t in business anymore. Trying

to find parts was getting harder. So we got rid of all the outdated stuff.”

In addition to getting new machines, he changed the layout of the jail gym so that the area is now very open. “There’s room to do not just weights, but body weight stuff, sled work, stretching. We took the ceiling out to make it feel bigger too.”

Having a wide variety of machines is what keeps members coming back for daily workouts. “We have something for everyone. If you’re a cardio person we have all types of cardio machines from bikes to rowers, ellipticals, treadmills, a ski machine, and the VersaClimber, which is probably the hardest one. And we now have two different

So many PCSO members have jobs that require them to be in good shape, so it is essential to have a gym that caters to their needs. Each sworn member must take the PAT test every year, which involves running, scaling a low wall and hurdles, and the notorious 150 pound dummy drag. To help members with this, both the SAB and the jail gym now have a sled pull. “The sled has been popular too. People can’t really train for the 150 pound pull without this. Now you can run on the treadmill and then immediately do the sled to simulate the PAT test. That’s what hurts people in the PAT, their legs give out. I think with this training opportunity we’ll start seeing the times get better.” Walsh stresses that you don’t have to prepare alone – he’s available with tips and tricks for improving PAT performance. In fact, he’s there for every member for whatever they need, whether its fitness coaching, nutrition advice, or a tour of the new equipment. If you want to make a positive change in your health, reach out to him today.

We’re here to help lessen the learning curve and keep you in the know. So, if there’s a specific topic you’d like to see featured in a future edition of News & Views, submit your suggestions to proud@pcsonet.com.

Help Bring the Best to the PCSO

There’s a part of almost every Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) position’s job description that I bet a lot of members never noticed. Under Essential Functions and Responsibilities it includes: participates in sheriff’s office recruitment and community relations activities as directed. In short, bringing the best people into our agency is an opportunity for everyone.

In addition to those unintentional recruiting efforts, there’s also the recruiting that happens whenever a member is out in public. “Whether in uniform or their star Oxford or polo, they’re recruiting. They’re a walking billboard.” If members look professional and are satisfied with their jobs, it will show. “You can tell a happy person, and you can imagine what that culture looks like within their agency.”

Members can also take a more proactive role in recruiting. When Human Resources has hiring events their bureau is usually not the only one representing the agency. They’ll also bring out members from the areas that they’re hiring in to present a positive example and help answer questions. Members are encouraged to participate in these hiring events as needed.

“We’ve noticed that we’ve had quite a downtick in interested applicants throughout the agency for all of our positions, both civilian and certified,” said Human Resources Manager Sue Keim. There’s no firm answer about why, but it could have to do with the overall climate in which law enforcement is under intense scrutiny. “We know that this agency consistently has had good community support. Our citizens are very proud of us. So we don’t think that it’s the immediate community, but that law enforcement in general has a bit of an image problem.”

Another obstacle is that attitudes about work changed during the pandemic. “Onsite work has become a deterrent to some individuals,” Keim said. No positions at the PCSO are work from home, and people who have gotten used to a workday of commuting from their kitchen to their living room in

pajamas aren’t always willing to trade that for an office environment. “But there are also plenty of people who have been working remotely and are now excited about coming back into an office because they miss that inperson interaction.”

“It’s the responsibility of all agency members to proactively recruit for the agency,” Keim said, but that recruiting effort can be either direct or indirect. Members can promote the agency simply from the way they talk about it. “If I’m talking to a neighbor after work and they ask me how my day was and I say it was fantastic, I really love working there, I have great leadership from the top down… they hear that and think PCSO is a good place to work. They may not think anything more of it right then but later when their niece graduates from college and they remember that casual conversation they might recommend the PCSO.”

Finding the best employees isn’t just good for the agency, it’s good for the members, too. We all know our jobs are easier and more pleasant with good coworkers around us, but there’s a more concrete benefit as well. No matter how much you love working here, a day off is always appreciated, and you might get one if you refer a new hire. “On the application there’s a place for them to indicate how they found out about us,” Keim said. “One of those areas they can check is member referral. If the applicant writes the name of the member who referred them –and gets hired and stays for 90 days – the referring member receives a day off.”

If you know someone who might be a good fit, encourage them to contact Human Resources at employment@pcsonet.com or 582-6208 to find out more about the position beyond what you’d read in the job description.

Helpful Information for Agency Notaries

Do you hold a Notary Public Commission for PCSO?

Q: May I obtain a new Notary Public Commission on my own?

A: No. The request to become a Notary Public for the agency should be authorized by the member’s chain-of-command and available budgeted funds confirmed. If there are no available funds, then a budget adjustment is required to fund the notary account for the cost of the notary, which is currently $111.95. Once permission has been obtained, contact Fiscal Affairs for a new notary application packet to complete and return, and a Fiscal Technician will send the completed packet to the Notary Public vendor, Troy Fain Insurance

Q: My commission is set to expire. When can I renew my commission?

A: Troy Fain will send a reminder notice to the Notary Public of an expiring commission about six months in advance. A renewal application cannot be submitted earlier than four months prior to the expiration date. Also, you may not use your new stamp until your commission expires.

Q: What are the steps required when applying for or renewing a Notary Public Commission?

A: For new applicants, a link will be provided to a free online first-time test to obtain your Certificate of Commission. The test could take up to three hours to complete. Taking the online notary course available through Troy Fain will cost an additional $25.00, so it is recommended that you complete the free course. The certificate is required by the State of Florida for all new notary applicants and must be printed out and submitted to Fiscal with the new notary application packet. Be sure to read and follow the instructions on the application

INNOPRISE WILL UPDATE TO CITYSUITE

On August 3, the agency’s financial module known as Innoprise will be upgraded to a new version called CitySuite. The look and feel of CitySuite will be different and some of the navigation methods will change, but the content, functionality and processes are the same as in Innoprise.

Here are a few other changes to note:

• Your login credentials will be the same as your network credentials. You will no longer have to maintain a separate username and password for CitySuite and the password will automatically update when you change your network credentials.

• You can access Cash Receipts (now called Central Cash) from within CitySuite without having to log into a separate program.

• The Favorites Bar which was horizontal across the top of the screen in Innoprise will now be vertical on the left side of the screen in CitySuite.

and fill it out completely. Applicants (both new and renewal) must hand-sign using full first and last name and full legal name for the notary stamp. No electronic or digital signatures will be accepted on the application. The completed packet can be sent via interoffice to Fiscal or e-mailed to Fiscal_Invoicing@pcsonet.com to be reviewed before submitting to Troy Fain. Once the invoice is received two to three weeks later, a Fiscal Technician will e-mail the Notary Public to request an impression of the seal before entering and approving the invoice for payment

Q: Who do I contact if I have questions about my Notary Public Commission?

A: Contact Fiscal Technician Diana Perez or Stacey Lyons.

• Some of the screens that used to have tabs for navigation will now have a drop-down menu instead.

Training material will be posted on SONET once the go-live date is established. When the implementation is complete Fiscal will begin scheduling CitySuite 101 classes (formerly Innoprise 101.) Check on SONET > Support > Training > Available Classes after the implementation date to register for these classes.

Here is some useful information about applying for or renewing a Notary Public Commission.

Manatees, Beards, and the Thin Blue Line –Making Social Media Work for the PCSO

BY LAURA L. SULLIVAN

Our Social Media Communications Specialist needs YOU… to send her the photos, videos, and body cam that will remind the public that PCSO members are good people doing good things.

P.T. Barnum said there’s no such thing as bad publicity, but that couldn’t be further from the truth for law enforcement. Our Social Media Communications Specialist Ashley Cooley, with the Public Relations Bureau at her back, is on the forefront of the battle to keep the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) looking shiny. It should be easy, right? You know our agency – we have a responsive and responsible sheriff, outstanding training, and a close connection with our community. But law enforcement is unique among “brands” in that our agency can be condemned by the foolish or criminal actions of a cop

across the country. And most of that ire is expressed through social media.

“There’s no other profession that, from a marketing perspective, has to deal with what we deal with on social media,” says Communications and Public Education Manager Ricky Butler. “If a barista messes up your order in Phoenix you’re not going to rage at one in Atlanta, but that’s what we have to deal with in law enforcement.”

Ashley stepped into the newly created position in 2021 and since then our social media reach has expanded exponentially.

“Before that everyone in Public Relations contributed to the social media effort, but it was a lot harder to handle without that central coordinating figure – the quarterback.”

What does that make you, Ricky? The coach? “He’s the ref,” Ashley says. “I ask him, can I do this? And he’s like hell no!” Ricky says that most of the time it’s actually hell yes, but sometimes he has to rein in certain things. “Would it be funny? Yes. Do I want to do it? Absolutely. Should we? Probably not.” As the sheriff himself says, just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.

Social Media Communications Specialist is flanked by two of her most popular actors – Crime Prevention and Community Awareness Deputies Chuck Skipper and Jessica Hughey.

Still, as you’ve probably noticed if you follow us on social media (You ARE following us, aren’t you? I think it’s mandatory. It’s in your job description.) we’re pretty funny, occasionally irreverent, and always informative. The standard law enforcement social media presence is – let’s be honest – stale. But that’s changing because of trendsetters like us. When Ashley entered the position, crime tips and safety information were mostly graphics, which garnered very little engagement. “I worked with Crime Prevention and Community Awareness to come up with different ways to present this information in a way that would get people to engage with it and, I don’t know, maybe lock up their dang car,” Ashley said. “Through training and researching and from what I know of my own social media use, I found that short form videos seem to be what people are interacting with the most.”

Enter Ashley’s creative, funny, brilliant reels that use pirates, Home Alone homages, and a whole lot of Deputy Chuck Skipper to deliver public safety messaging in a way that forces people to engage by sucking them in with high entertainment value. People think that social media is easy, that any teen with a phone can get a million followers, but Ashley has to be a writer, director, casting director, and researcher. “A lot of meetings, a lot of conversation and planning go into making the final product feel as organic as possible,” Ashley said. “If anything feels too branded, too polished, people will just swipe past it, they won’t engage with it. I’m trying to find a way to continually surprise people – not necessarily in a major way, but it’s all about that hook, that first second. Everybody’s attention span is so short. How am I going to grab someone’s attention so they watch for three seconds?”

Humor can be the key to engagement. “In every video we try to insert at least some fun – because we’re fun people. We want the public to know that we’re there to protect the public, enforce the laws… but we’re still

human. Some people aren’t on board with that because they think that law enforcement should be very serious – and only serious.” Every time we post about reuniting a lost puppy with its owner, or playing ball with kids, or saving turtles, someone invariably asks why we’re not out catching the murderers and child molesters instead. Well, the public already knows we solve crimes – but do they know we also help kids at Christmas, and feed

hungry families, and rescue baby alligators in swimming pools?

We want our social media to be proactive, to highlight the men and women of the PCSO and the good things we do in the community – and do it in a way that people respond to.

“We’re going to try to make it lighthearted

Ashley Cooley is one of the “curious and well-informed civilian” hosts of our podcast, 56.

SUPPORT OUR CADETS WITH DINE-OUT DAY

It’s simple – just use your Dine-Out Day dollars at participating restaurants on August 29 or 30. Restaurants are reimbursed $2.50 for every $5 spent, and the rest benefits Cadets Unit #900. Help young people train for a future career in law enforcement –it’s as easy as having lunch. For more information contact the Youth Education Section at 453-7461.

Continued from page 7

and fun, because people don’t expect that,” Ricky says. “It’s really important to try to push the envelope when we can, and take a lesson from what the private sector does.” The private sector markets their products, and we need to do that too, selling the sheriff’s office as a product for consumers to appreciate. In short, we want brand loyalty. “If they’re going to get arrested, we want them to choose us,” Ricky jokes. “Don’t you want to get arrested by the best agency?”

Another big change Ashley brought to PCSO’s social media is using platform management and analytics tools such as Sprout Social to figure out exactly which posts have the biggest impact, and why. Some posts are guaranteed to take off – any post about an animal is sure to be popular. Case in point is a recent post with a tie-in to an Inside the Star story about members of our Marine Unit rescuing a manatee. Not only did the post garner likes, comments, and shares, but the media picked up on it and within days the PCSO was being featured in a positive light around the nation, from Southern Living to the New York Post

“Despite our best research and analysis we don’t always know what will do well on social,” Ashley said. “We’re still surprised about what blows up sometimes.” A while ago she posted a simple photo and text about two members taking first place in a sniper competition, and it did better than anything else that quarter. As she watched that post explode in popularity she tried to analyze what could have launched it into the stratosphere. Amid the congratulations and the inevitable thirst she thought she noticed a common thread: appreciation for the beards. Both men had particularly lush and luxurious facial hair, which is prohibited by policy outside of certain units. Was that novelty the magical formula? But since all our posts can’t be manatees or guys with beards (or manatees with beards?) Ashley is constantly working to find new ways to get the world to appreciate and interact with us.

You’ve probably seen members of PR everywhere around the agency, the “curious

and well-informed civilians” of podcast fame and beyond. Whether it’s Ashley or our photo and video team, or yours truly hunting down stories in the most obscure areas of the agency, we do our best to always be expanding our connections with members and units in the PCSO so that we don’t miss out on anything. But there are 2,800 of you and just a few of us, and we can’t be everywhere. “Send me things,” Ashley begs. “Photos, videos, anything you think might be good for social, even if you’re not sure. If you have an interesting case, send us the case number and we’ll look at the body cam. If you have an idea, tell us and we might run with it.”

Our job is literally to make you look good, so don’t be afraid to send us things – we won’t let anything into the public if it’s not appropriate, and everything is vetted by PR. “Trust us, we’ve been doing this long enough to know what might be problematic.” Of course we don’t just want content from patrol and specialized units. Send us things from the jail, courthouses, and civilian positions too. Think of what you like to see on social media (it’s cats, I know it’s cats) and then figure out how that can translate to the law enforcement world. Animals, positive interactions with the community, happy stories, touching stories, funny calls, DUIs, interesting arrests… we want the soft fluffy stuff AND the hard crime, as long as it can be presented in a way that educates and informs the public.

People talk about the thin blue line – the idea that law enforcement is the line keeping society from devolving into chaos. We in PR sometimes say that we’re the ones who actually hold the line. Through the stories and social media content we create we interact with far more people than all our deputies combined. What we have to say influences more people than what any one deputy can do on their own. “Deputies are holding the line with the bad guys – we’re holding the line between law enforcement and everybody else,” Ricky says. “The public has a lot of thoughts about law enforcement, and we have a tremendous responsibility to mold those thoughts and point out when they’re wrong.”

New Tool Gives an Advantage in Active Shooter Scenarios

BY LAURA L. SULLIVAN

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) now has a valuable new tool to make quick entry in an active shooter situation. “Breach must be swift so we don’t give the adversary time to think and plan,” said Deputy Rob Olesen from the Training Division. “With an active assailant, time is not on your side.” Recently, a hand-picked group of deputies was instructed in the effective use of breaching shotguns. They offer a way to open a locked door within seconds, with reduced risk to the deputy and virtually no chance of injury to someone on the other side of the door.

Before joining the PCSO, Deputy Olesen was a SWAT commander in Osceola County where they had breaching shotguns available. When he pitched the idea here, our leadership wanted a demonstration. To make it as accurate as possible he replicated the doors found in Pinellas County schools, using school locks on a metal frame. Then he secured paper behind the doors to show what comes through on the other side. “The round dies in the door,” he said. There was no splatter on the other side. If a child had been standing there, they wouldn’t have been injured. Next he demonstrated the

breaching shotgun on a commercial metal door with a commercial metal frame. “I shot it one time – it usually takes a couple of rounds for steel doors – but it sucked that deadbolt into the door with the first round I shot and the door swung open.”

Before the introduction of the breaching shotgun deputies had other options to make entry. Many deputies carry a sledgehammer and Halligan tool which can be used to open a variety of doors. They are effective, but to use them a deputy must stand directly in front of the door – not the safest place to be when there’s an active shooter on the other side. With the breaching shotgun, on the other hand, everything is done from outside of the door frame. When using the sledge or Halligan a deputy would have to switch to a weapon if threatened by an armed assailant once the door was opened – but the breaching shotgun can double as an anti-personnel weapon.

Explosive breaching is another possibility, but there aren’t many people trained in explosive breaching. In an active shooter situation where time is of the essence it could take an hour or more to get someone with those skills on scene. But the breaching shotguns are distributed to a number of deputies throughout the county, on every shift, making sure that one is available at all times.

PCSO is using a Remington 870 breaching shotgun with a toothed muzzle that bites into the door. Rounds are shot with the muzzle in direct contact with the door. It has a pistol grip, and hardly any recoil. The specialized round is the key to minimum penetration – it’s a slug made of frangible copper, essentially a compressed metal powder that disintegrates as it hits the door. “Can there be some overpenetration? Maybe… but nothing lethal, no doubt. If you were leaning against the door you might get some splinters. It’s an amazing tool.”

SWAT Liason Corporal Brian Muñoz trains deputies to use a breaching shotgun to make rapid entry.

CHANGES IN THE TROOPS TRANSITIONS

DISTINGUISHED

Cheryl Dilday

Office of the Sheriff General Counsel

Deputy Steven Donohue Patrol Operations Bureau North District

Deserria Dover

Judicial Operations Bureau

Criminal Court Squad

Vanessa Feliciano

Department of Detention & Corrections

Commissary/Inmate Welfare

Lexi Floras

Department of Detention & Corrections

Inmate Records Section

Deputy Damarcus Flournoy

Investigative Operations Bureau

Tactical Investigations Section

Corporal Christopher Fraser

Investigative Operations Bureau

Narcotics Investigation Section

Deputy Jake Gauthier Patrol Operations Bureau Central District

Deputy Eric Gilkes

Judicial Operations Bureau

Criminal Court Squad

Lisha Goodrich

Department of Detention & Corrections

Bureau Communications Division

Robert Briggs Support Services Bureau Forensic Science Division

Lynne Brunelle

Department of Detention & Corrections Inmate Records Section

Angela Clay

Patrol Operations Bureau

Habit Offendr Montrng Enfcmt (HOME)

Kristina Cole

Investigative Operations Bureau Intelligence Led Policing Unit

Kathryn Corning

Department of Detention & Corrections Medical Division

Melissa Crosswy

Department of Detention & Corrections Inmate Records Section

Deputy Richard Curry Jr.

Investigative Operations Bureau Tactical Investigations Section

Greg Cynar

Department of Detention & Corrections North Division

Deputy Mike Darrow Patrol Operations Bureau North District

Deputy Chris Desmarais

Department of Detention & Corrections South Division

Deputy Travis Dice Judicial Operations Bureau Detention Court Squad

Inmate Records Section

Samantha Harding Support Services Bureau Communications Division

Michelle Hale

Department of Detention & Corrections Inmate Records Section

Deputy Schenique Harris Judicial Operations Bureau Detention Court Squad

Corporal Anthony Hellstern Investigative Operations Bureau Tactical Investigations Section

Deputy Robert Henderson Judicial Operations Bureau Criminal Court Squad

Keosha Johnson

Department of Detention & Corrections

Classification Section

Deputy Chris Jones Jr. Patrol Operations Bureau School Guardian Unit

Deb Leipski

Department of Detention & Corrections Inmate Records Section

Ethan Kimble

Department of Detention & Corrections

Inmate Records Section

Leianna Kirkland

Department of Detention & Corrections Inmate Records Section

Deputy Nathan Leathers

Investigative Operations Bureau Tactical Investigations Section

Sepelini Maile

Department of Detention & Corrections North Division

Kimberly Maggio

Department of Detention & Corrections

Inmate Records Section

Deputy Jorge Martinez

Patrol Operations Bureau

Perimeter Unit

Deputy Deanna Mccullough

Department of Detention & Corrections

South Division

Deputy Jacklyn Mcgonigle

Department of Detention & Corrections

South Division

Sergeant Clint Mcknight

Patrol Operations Bureau

Central District

Corporal Angela McNealy-Simmons

Patrol Operations Bureau

Central District

Corporal Dasean Meade

Department of Detention & Corrections

South Division

Deputy Yunior Montero

Judicial Operations Bureau

Criminal Court Squad

Deputy Jason Montgomery

Investigative Operations Bureau

Digital Forensics Unit

Deputy Thuan Nguyen

Investigative Operations Bureau

Mental Health Unit

Amy Nicholson Support Services Bureau

Communications Division

Kiki Penix

Judicial Operations Bureau

Criminal Court Squad

Ashley Perez

Department of Detention & Corrections

Inmate Records Section

Lloyd Pierce Support Services Bureau

Communications Division

Deputy Scott Pierce

Patrol Operations Bureau

Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT)

Mary Powers

Department of Detention & Corrections

Inmate Records Section

Deputy Helene Poy-Kujawski

Department of Detention & Corrections

Central Division

Deputy Luke Pupke

Investigative Operations Bureau

Tactical Investigations Section

Deputy Sam Ribic

Patrol Operations Bureau

Central District

Deputy Syeeta Robinson-Deberg

Professional Standards Bureau

Strategic Planning Division

Due to the changing number of entries in this edition, we apologize for any unintended omissions. For promotions, transfers, and new hires, go to SONET, “Administration,” “Human Resources,” “Changes in the Troops.”

Jake Ruberto

Support Services Bureau

Automated Fingerprint ID Sys (AFIS)

Kaitlin Sherwood

Department of Detention & Corrections Medical Division

Barbara Singer

Department of Detention & Corrections

Classification Section

Deputy Jen Sittloh

Investigative Operations Bureau

Mental Health Unit

Lieutenant Dave Stang Jr.

Investigative Operations Bureau

Tactical Investigations Section

Deputy Jerry Stopper Jr.

Judicial Operations Bureau

Civil Court Squad - Clearwater

Deputy Laura Tutko

Investigative Operations Bureau

Burglary & Pawn Unit

Deputy Corey Van Buren

Judicial Operations Bureau Criminal Court Squad

Laura Van Swearingen

Department of Detention & Corrections

Classification Section

Deputy Natalie Vickers

Patrol Operations Bureau Central District

Stephannie Watson

Department of Detention & Corrections

Inmate Records Section

Crystal Widua

Department of Detention & Corrections

Classification Section

Lieutenant Matthew Wroe

Investigative Operations Bureau Narcotics Investigation Section

RETIREMENTS

Donald Breckley

3/20/23, 16 years of service.

Yvette Oraha

3/21/23, 5 years of service.

Ervin Winczewski

3/31/23, 1 years of service.

Christie Ellwood

3/31/23, 16 years of service.

Maggie Mchenry-Stubbs 4/3/23, 5 years of service.

Po Ng

4/5/23, 26 years of service.

Robert Brown

4/21/23, 8 years of service.

Dan Mallard

5/2/23, 8 years of service.

Melissa Galante

5/6/23, 9 years of service.

Melissa Gardner

5/15/23, 16 years of service.

John Peterson

5/25/23, 22 years of service.

Kathy Onstead

6/8/23, 4 years of service.

Karen Austin 6/26/23, 27 years of service.

Malanie Grann 6/30/23, 35 years of service.

Kris Pelella 6/30/23, 26 years of service.

Jason Moyar 6/30/23, 28 years of service.

NEW HIRES

Fosu Boakye

Deputy Department of Detention & Corrections

Joseph Breitweiser IV Deputy Patrol Operations Bureau

Christian Canales Deputy Patrol Operations Bureau

Brendan Costello Deputy Judicial Operations Bureau

Marissa DelConte Forensic Science Specialist Support Services Bureau

Austin Dente Tactical Paramedic Patrol Operations Bureau

Darien Desir-Thompson Administrative Assistant Support & Health Services Bureau

Megan Giglio Classification Specialist Support & Health Services Bureau

Cory Heatherman Deputy Recruit

Department of Detention & Corrections

Elizabeth Hunter Records Technician II Support Services Bureau

Kayla Juliet Deputy Patrol Operations Bureau

Kristin Keitt Criminal Justice Specialist Support & Health Services Bureau

Nghi Tran Le Tactical Paramedic Patrol Operations Bureau

David Lindemann School Crossing Guard Patrol Operations Bureau

Richard Linkiewicz

Deputy Judicial Operations Bureau

Nicholas Lucas Tactical Paramedic Patrol Operations Bureau

Eva Marcus

Registered Nurse Support & Health Services Bureau

Mackenzie-Grace Marshall Administrative Assistant Patrol Operations Bureau

Karen Nichols Claims Analyst General Counsel

Cindy Olivares Processing Technician II Judicial Operations Bureau

Jason Parish Forensic Science Specialist Support Services Bureau

Demetria Plumber

Licensed Practical NursePRN/On Call Support & Health Services Bureau

Walker Potts Administrative Assistant Support & Health Services Bureau

Ryan Pruitt

Criminal Justice Specialist Support & Health Services Bureau

Kenleh Ridenour Criminal Justice Specialist - P/T Judicial Operations Bureau

Jordan Rodgers

Criminal Justice Specialist Support & Health Services Bureau

Jacob Smith Deputy Department of Detention & Corrections

Gregory Stokes, Jr. Electronics Technician Information Technology Bureau

Steve Tellis Reserve Deputy Patrol Operations Bureau

Paige Texeira

Inmate Records Specialist I Support & Health Services Bureau

Taylor Tynes Criminal Justice Specialist Department of Detention & Corrections

Jacqueline Velasquez

Inmate Records Specialist I Support & Health Services Bureau

Maxwell Walters Alternative Sentencing Specialist Judicial Operations Bureau

Jillian Zakrzeski

Public Safety Telecommunicator Support Services Bureau

The Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) didn’t begin until Sheriff Genung’s tenure, after we moved the Operational functions to the APO (Airport Office). There were specialized units from the beginning, even though some have been modernized. For instance, the YAB (Youth Aid Bureau) dealt with delinquency and education, focusing on keeping minors out of the system. Some units started out in combination, like CAP (Crimes Against Persons) which handled everything from assault to homicide, rape and robbery, then broke off to smaller, more focused units. Our original fleet cars at the APO included unmarked detective units.

When we moved to our present location in 1975, the first Sheriff’s Administration Building housed the newly named Criminal Investigation Division (CID) on the first floor (where the readoff room was eventually finalized) and then moved to the second floor where all burglary detectives were grouped together and the specialty units had separate offices. Traditionally, it was required that everyone start out in burglary and gain investigative techniques and experience before requesting a transfer to another unit. The specialty units were much smaller than the burglary group, with usually only five to seven detectives.

One of the most infamous traditions in the burglary unit was the presence of the GOYAAGTTP wooden plaque, which still resides there today! Sergeant Roland “Hap” Hazzard, then a detective, created the sign in 1972. It was there when I started in CID in 1983 and Hazzard was my sergeant, and the plaque stayed with the unit during its many moves. Hap would be so pleased that it’s still there, 51 years later! And if you don’t know what the acronym stands for? Get off your ass and go talk to people!