News and Views Quarter 1 2019

Issue 1: January - March 2019

Deputy Will Lawson reads to children on Celebrate Literacy Day.

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Members of which division follow a 70-point checklist when completing their duties? The answer is on page 12.

Issue 1: January - March 2019

New Infrastructure Building Saves Agency Resources Walls crack, paint fades, and mechanics fail, but when it’s time to erect a brand new Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office building, it would be too simple to develop plans that are exactly the same as before. And, it’s not like the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office to do the status quo. That’s why when Sergeant Pauline Hawthorne was tasked with overseeing the Pinellas County Upgrade Jail Campus Infrastructure Project, she knew it was time to invest in a structure that would not only serve our members, inmates, and visitors well, but also stand strong in the wake of a disaster, save our agency resources, and display the best security technology in the country.

Sergeant Pauline Hawthorne and her team managed the design of the building so that it fixed previous problems and addressed big needs. The laundry room in the old building, for example, was inefficient, and the 30-year-old washers and dryers were too small to support cleaning thousands of inmates’ clothes and bedding. But the sheriff’s office didn’t just install new ones; we purchased a large, energy-efficient tunnel washer that not only completes 70 loads in four hours, but it also recycles the water that is squeezed out of the clothes so that nothing is wasted. It can also take 80 percent of the moisture out of the loads of laundry so that the drying time is cut in half—saving electricity and, ultimately, the agency’s money.

Across the hall from the laundry room, the inmate program services facility gives inmate road crews a place to change in and out of their work uniforms and be strip searched quickly before and after they leave the loading dock. Next to those changing rooms are updated, state-of-the-art meeting areas where inmates can participate in rehabilitation programs and get continuing education credits to help them re-enter society.

The rooms are equipped with in-ceiling speakers, overhead projectors, and wireless microphones.

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The new kitchen was specifically chosen to live on the second floor to prevent rodents from entering the food preparation areas. Previously, the meal prep and clean-up areas were side by side. Now they are separate to prevent cross-contamination and also give more room to the members and inmates who work hard to make breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day for thousands of individuals. However, the kitchen is not just designed for everyday use. It can feed the entire campus in an emergency--9,000 inmates for 10 days to be exact. It has four coolers, two storage freezers, and two deep freezers that stay at sub-16 degrees so that the food in it can last 10 days in case a disaster hits.

In addition to upgrading the laundry and kitchen facilities, the infrastructure building project included an upgrade in security.

The complex control room on the third floor can control all of the jail buildings in case of an emergency or riot. This floor also includes centralized data center storage so that all of the technology is maintained and protected in case of a fire.

Approximately 120 miles of electrical wire was installed during the entire project scope.

At the very top of the infrastructure building lies the central energy plant, which can switch between electrical and gaspowered energy depending on when the cogeneration generator recognizes which is more efficient. For the HVAC system, the new absorption chiller contains roughly 500 tons of free cooling—that means the entire jail is cooled naturally instead of using electricity. It also uses the excess steam off of the generator to chill the water.

The Pinellas County Upgrade Jail Campus Infrastructure Project was a huge undertaking, but it provides an integrated security system, stable functions in case of an emergency, and technology that saves the agency resources, time, and money.

While updates to the jail continue, this upgrade marks a massive success for the future of the Pinellas County Jail.

Forensic Sciences & AFIS Divisions Achieve Accreditation On March 28, 2019, the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) awarded the Forensic Sciences Division, the Forensic Imaging Unit, and the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) Division a certificate of accreditation. ANAB Forensic Accreditation Manager Nita Bolz formally presented Sheriff Gualtieri with the award at the Sheriff’s Administration Building.

In 2018, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office began the process of obtaining this accreditation. Last November, both divisions held their first accreditation assessments, where four professionals from other law enforcement agencies visited to perform a thorough audit of the forensic and AFIS facilities.

The accreditation ceremony marks the Forensic Sciences and AFIS Divisions as leaders in their fields, as well as trusted professionals that uphold the highest standards of law enforcement.

Forensic Quality Assurance Coordinator Meredith Tise, Ph.D., was specifically hired to assist with successfully obtaining the ANAB accreditation and prepare for the following assessments each year. She said: “The accreditation assessors that visited our agency were extremely complimentary and were impressed by our facilities, equipment, and personnel.”

“The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office has a great reputation and has always shined,” Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said. “This is something you should all be proud of because it’s meaningful.”

Moving forward, Tise will ensure the sheriff’s office maintains these accreditation standards. Sheriff Gualtieri affirmed, “We are going to continue to make sure we are at the top.”

Are you interested in ways to help reduce your member responsibility for medical care? These important tools and helpful hints will guide you on your way.

• Click on the search button (do not select options that may pop up after typing MRI in the search box).

• Select the type of MRI from the list of services shown (i.e. jaw, knee, etc.).

• View the list of in-network providers and click on the “View Full Estimate” box to see the estimated cost for the provider(s) of choice.

Prior to receiving medical care, always ask if the provider is “contracted” with UHC. If your physician involves others in your treatment (i.e. labs, specialists, assistant surgeons, etc.), confirm the network status for all participating providers. An out-of-network provider can increase the bill.

Helpful Hint #2: Reduce your costs by doing your homework. Research is key!

Did you know there is a “Cost Estimator” tool that is easy to use? Follow these simple steps: • Log on to www.myuhc.com with your username and password. Note: Clicking “Cost Estimator” on the home page without logging in first will not work.

• Click on the “Find Care & Costs” tab, located at the top of the page.

• In the search box, type in the specific procedure name you are looking for (i.e. MRI).

If multiple providers are involved in one procedure (i.e. surgical center, surgeon, anesthesiologist, pathology, radiology, etc.), claims will be filed by each. For example, an estimate by the facility will not include the charges for the other providers.

Helpful Hint #3: Avoid making large upfront payments.

Instead, agree to make a smaller pre-payment, allow claims to process through UHC, and then make arrangements to pay the balances due. Use the “View Claims” tool on www.myuhc.com to confirm the amount due to each provider.

In addition to www.myuhc.com and the UnitedHealthcare Health4Me® mobile app, PCSO members can call 822-377-5108, or call the HR Benefits team at 727-582-2835

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Helpful Hint #1: Ask if UnitedHealthcare (UHC) is “accepted” by the provider.

Issue 1: January - March 2019

Congratulations to the members who were recognized by community groups.

Deputy Eric Gibson National Law Enforcement Public Service Citation Award, Veterans of Foreign Wars #6827 Deputy Eric Gibson has proven to be an honorable member of the Lealman community, and he has demonstrated the characteristics of hard work and charity due to his participation in the response to Hurricane Michael, contribution to the Pinellas Sheriff’s Police Athletic League, and completion of many duties to protect the citizens of Pinellas County.

Sergeant Charlie Street Officer of the Year for the District, Veterans of Foreign Wars Sergeant Charlie Street received the Officer of the Year Award for the entire district, which includes 13 Veterans of Foreign Wars posts. He has shown commitment and genuine care for others during his service to the citizens of Dunedin and beyond.

Deputy John Sachse Jr. Deputy of the Year, Oldsmar Eastlake Rotary Club Deputy John Sachse Jr. has displayed outstanding dedication to educating the citizens of the City of Oldsmar about pedestrian, bicycle, and traffic safety. He has demonstrated on numerous occasions that he is more than willing to give the extra effort necessary to promote and enforce traffic safety with the ultimate goal of saving lives.

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Deputy Daman Laney Deputy of the Year, St. Petersburg Elks Lodge #1224 Deputy Daman Laney’s quick actions under pressure were instrumental in saving a woman’s life. In January 2018, he identified a female on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge who was attempting to jump off it and take her own life.

Deputy Laney rushed over to her and pulled her to safety.

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks recognizes Deputy Laney’s willingness to put himself in harm’s way for another’s safety.

Deputy Shannon Roxby Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award, Veterans of Foreign Wars #4256 in Madeira Beach Deputy Shannon Roxby is a dedicated community policing deputy in the Madeira Beach area. Through her participation in community events and willingness to listen to citizens’ concerns, Shannon makes citizens feel safe and heard. She is a familiar face in the community, and her presence and commitment is greatly appreciated.

Corporal Daniel Love and Deputy Jeremy Dressback First Responder Appreciation Award, 24th Annual Commissioner John Morroni First Responder Appreciation Dinner On May 3, 2018, an armed man robbed the Handcock Whitney Bank on U.S. Highway in Clearwater. When he fled the scene, Corporal Love responded to the call and pursued the suspect driving on Curlew Road. Deputy Dressback, who was also in the area, drove towards the oncoming pursuit and stopped to deploy stop sticks.

When the burglar’s car hit the sticks and came to a stop, he fled on foot. Corporal Love and Deputy Dressback ran after the suspect and apprehended him. These two first responders received awards at the Morroni Dinner for their quick-thinking, initiative, and outstanding performance in this capture.

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Issue 1: January - March 2019

TRANSITIONS

Changes In The Troops

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.”

LENGTH OF SERVICE The Fiscal Affairs Bureau records indicate the following members have reached anniversary milestones with the Sheriff’s Office. Members with questions about their Length of Service certificates or photos, please call 582-6221.

JANUARY 2019 Paula Vandalen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Years Lorraine Daly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Years Deputy Margaret Abdurrahim. . . . . . 25 Years Captain Adrian Arnold . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Years Deputy Marcelo Berje . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Years Lieutenant Joe Gerretz . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Years Craig Giovo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Years Deputy Dan Hughes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Years

Sergeant Ben Adler. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Years Kara Banville. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Years Deputy Ben Chieco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Years Rebeca D'Jimas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Years Colleen Eells. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Years Mardi Falcon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Years Lieutenant Adam Kinzel. . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Years Corporal Richard Merritt. . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Years Deputy George Smalios. . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Years Deputy Ray Sookhoo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Years Sergeant Paul Valachovic. . . . . . . . . . . 15 Years Christine Carter, LPN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Years David Palek, Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Years Steven Crandall, LPN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Years

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

Lieutenant Traci Reid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Years

JANUARY 2019

Deputy Rick Serra, Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Years

Deputy Russ Akin, Patrol Operations Bureau Marine Unit Sergeant James Arntz, Patrol Operations Bureau - North District Deputy Tiffany Ashcom, Patrol Operations Bureau - Central District Deputy Jose Berrios, Patrol Operations BureauSRO Unit Corporal Iliano Caminero Jr. , Department of Detention and Corrections - Central Division Corporal Matthew Davidson, Patrol Operations Bureau- North District Deputy Kenisha Deg, Patrol Operations BureauNorth District Deputy Jason Ellis, Patrol Operations Bureau Central District

Corporal Christopher White . . . . . . . . 25 Years Ruth Whiteley. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Years Stacie Wilder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Years Deputy Calvin Wright Jr.. . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Years Sergeant Ryan Armstrong . . . . . . . . . . 20 Years Corporal Edwin Bryant, Jr.. . . . . . . . . . 20 Years Deputy Jeffrey Clement . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Years Elyna Coleman. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Years Sergeant Caroline Franjesevic . . . . . . 20 Years Deputy Kelvin Franklin . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Years Deputy Michelle Gammon. . . . . . . . . . 20 Years Steven Gennaro. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Years Deputy Michael Harder. . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Years Deputy Toni Harris. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Years Jim Jeffery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Years Sergeant Dean LaChance . . . . . . . . . . 20 Years Sergeant Jason Loftus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Years Deputy Gary Lonsbury . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Years Cindy Norwich. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Years Deputy Gary Pierce. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Years Deputy Jody Shwallon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Years Robert Sullivan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Years Deputy Thomas Swetokos . . . . . . . . . . 20 Years Deputy Amy Tenbieg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Years Kristi Sabbides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Years

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Deputy Thomas Festa, Patrol Operations BureauCommunity Policing Unit Corporal Christopher Giles, Patrol Operations Bureau- Field Training Unit Karen Greul, Support Services Bureau- Forensic Science Division Corporal Don Klase, Patrol Operations Bureau- Safe Harbor Unit Sergeant Chad McIntyre, Patrol Operations BureauCommunity Policing Unit Deputy Andrew McLane, Judicial Operations BureauCriminal Court Security Deputy Howie Miller, Patrol Operations Bureau - MAIT Sergeant John Miller, Judicial Operations BureauCriminal Court Squad Deputy Bryan Mitchell, Patrol Operations Bureau Safe Harbor Unit Sergeant Bret Mowatt, Patrol Operations Bureau- SRO Unit Deputy Jeffrey Naiman, Judicial Operations BureauCourt Processing Unit Detective Adam Phelps, Investigative Operations Bureau - Narcotics Division Deputy Freddie Post, Patrol Operations BureauCentral District Deputy Sam Ribic, Patrol Operations Bureau- Central District Jeffrey Richarz, Support Services Bureau - Forensic Science Division Deputy David Robertshaw, Patrol Operations BureauCentral District Deputy Syeeta Robinson, Patrol Operations BureauCommunity Policing Unit Deputy Cliff Short, Patrol Operations Bureau- North District Detective Nicole Thompson, Investigative Operations Bureau- Burglary and Pawn Unit

RETIREMENTS

Sylvia Camacho retired 3/27/2019 after 37 years of service.

Deputy Ronald Hefter retired 3/28/2019 after 15 years of service.

Deputy Susan Armsheimer retired 3/28/2019 after 25 years of service.

Elisa Di Carlo retired 3/29/2019 after 18 years of service.

Jimmie Everhart retired 3/28/2019 after 22 years of service.

The following is a list of members and their official retirement dates. Some members opted to use accrued time and leave early, but their official retirement date is listed below.

JANUARY 2019

Sergeant Mike Anthony retired 1/5/2019 after 23 years of service.

Deputy Mike Broman retired 1/18/2019 after 23 years of service.

Dee Davis retired 1/7/2019 after 15 years of service.

Cathy Fulmer retired 1/4/2019 after 12 years of service.

Deputy Eddie Griffin retired 1/18/2019 after 8 years of service.

Captain Frank Mackin retired 1/11/2019 after 25 years of service.

Cheryle Piper retired 1/9/2019 after 34 years of service.

Deputy Ronald Schluger retired 1/18/2019 after 30 years of service.

Holly Stephens retired 1/2/2019 after 18 years of service.

Cesar Tolentino retired 1/31/2019 after 17 years of service.

Deputy Jenn Watters retired 1/31/2019 after 29 years of service.

FEBRUARY 2019

Nancy Barbosa retired 2/6/2019 after 23 years of service.

Deputy Craig Bolle retired 2/28/2019 after 25 years of service.

Deputy Mary Griffin retired 2/4/2019 after 28 years of service.

Deputy Dave Grover retired 2/28/2019 after 30 years of service.

Marie Milges retired 2/28/2019 after 32 years of service.

Deputy Tami Morgan retired 2/1/2019 after 23 years of service.

Deputy Doug Palmer retired 2/26/2019 after 12 years of service.

Corporal Guy Spiros retired 2/28/2019 after 30 years of service.

MARCH 2019

Annie Battle retired 3/4/2019 after 9 years of service.

Deputy Fred Brownbill retired 3/6/2019 after 18 years of service.

Deputy Jenn Zinge retired 3/15/2019 after 24 years of service.

NEW HIRES

Myron Belcher, Criminal Justice Specialist hired on 2/18/2019.

Keith Chaptman Jr., Detention Deputy Recruit hired on 2/4/2019.

Angel Diaz, Detention Deputy Recruit hired on 2/4/2019.

Kalynn Emery, Detention Deputy Recruit hired on 2/4/2019.

Vanessa Feliciano, Social Worker hired on 2/4/2019.

Jacob Gowan, Community Programs Specialist hired on 2/18/2019.

Kelsey Graham, Forensic Science Specialist hired on 2/25/2019.

Marquez Hartsfield, Detention Deputy Recruit hired on 2/4/2019.

Kyle Henderson, Detention Deputy Recruit hired on 2/4/2019.

Nicole May, Public Safety Telecommunicator hired on 2/4/2019.

Anne McDonough, Senior Associate Counsel hired on 2/18/2019.

Christopher Moses, Detention Deputy Recruit hired on 2/4/2019.

Matthew Raisch, Detention Deputy Recruit hired on 2/4/2019.

David Skeirik, Detention Deputy Recruit hired on 2/4/2019.

Ronald Sorg Jr., Detention Deputy Recruit hired on 2/4/2019.

Kaylie Velitschkowski, Inmate Records Specialist I hired on 2/11/2019.

Ken Victor, Detention Deputy Recruit hired on 2/4/2019.

-------------------------------------------------------------Joseph Austin, Deputy Recruit hired on 3/25/19.

Joseph Brooks, Deputy Recruit hired on 3/25/19.

Kriengsak Charoenchit, School Crossing Guard hired on 3/25/19.

Nicole Chiuchiolo, C.P.I. Family Support Worker hired on 3/11/2019.

Ryan Church, Deputy Recruit hired on 3/25/19.

Taylor Dalton, Deputy Recruit hired on 3/25/19.

Cynthia Desourdy, Deputy Recruit hired on 3/25/19.

Katelyn Dorr, Public Safety Telecommunicator hired on 3/11/2019.

William Englert, Deputy Recruit hired on 3/25/19.

Christopher Gannon, Deputy Recruit hired on 3/25/19.

Laurie Grand, Administrative Assistant hired on 3/25/19.

Nicholas Harless, Criminal Justice Specialist hired on 3/4/2019.

Alyssa Harris, Public Safety Telecommunicator hired on 3/25/19.

Megan Johnson, Deputy Recruit hired on 3/25/19.

Leianna Kirkland, Inmate Records Specialist I hired on 3/25/19.

Courtney Ley, Criminal Justice Specialist hired on 3/25/2019.

Sandra Lucas, Administrative Assistant - P/T hired on 3/4/2019.

Edward Maguire, School Crossing Guard hired on 3/25/19.

Daniel Mattox, Deputy Recruit hired on 3/25/19.

Elizabeth Mauck, A.R.M.S. Data Assistant hired on 3/18/19.

Christopher McManus, School Crossing Guard hired on 3/25/19.

Marcy Merryman, Senior Administrative Assistant hired on 3/11/2019 Jamie Miller, Criminal Justice Specialist hired on 3/11/2019.

Mary Monterroza, C.P.I. Investigator Trainee hired on 3/18/19.

Shane Mullins, Deputy Recruit hired on 3/25/19.

Edwin Santiago Jr., Deputy Recruit hired on 3/25/19.

Lori Sheldon-Delancey, C.P.I. Investigator Trainee hired on 3/18/19.

Joanne Snyder, School Crossing Guard hired on 3/25/19.

Brandon Stukus, Deputy Recruit hired on 3/25/19.

Wilda Toussaint, C.P.I. Investigator Trainee hired on 3/18/19.

Ryan Watson, Fiscal Specialist hired on 3/18/19.

Tina Wilcox, School Crossing Guard hired on 3/25/19.

Raymond Williams, Jr., School Crossing Guard hired on 3/25/19.

Willie Wilson, Chaplain hired on 3/4/2019.

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Sergeant Jacob Viano, Patrol Operations Bureau- North District Deputy Daniel Weber, Judicial Operations Bureau- Court Processing Unit Sergeant Kristofor Wendel, Patrol Operations Bureau- North District Deputy Jayson Young, Patrol Operations Bureau- North District

Issue 1: January - March 2019

According to the Officer Down Memorial Page website, there were 50 law enforcement officer, vehicle-related deaths in the United States in 2018. Twenty-six of these deaths were the result of a vehicle crash, several of which occurred while pursuing a suspect, responding to an emergency call, or assisting other law enforcement personnel. Ensuring deputies remain trained in vehicle operations safety is just as critical as training them with firearms and defensive tactics.

Last year, the Training Division developed driving training and added it to the 2019 in-service curriculum. Deputy Luis Ortiz spent two weeks in Glynco, Georgia, at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) attending the Law Enforcement Advanced Driver Instructor Program. He learned about the newest safety features in vehicles and their impact on the law enforcement driver. The course focused on vehicles with higher centers of gravity, stabilization systems, collision avoidance systems, and modern braking systems. This information was used to shape the eight-hour driving block during this year’s in-service.

When the deputies attended the Law Enforcement Vehicle Operations Course in 2018, they drove the Ford Crown Victoria.

During this year’s in-service, deputies will use their issued vehicle to go through several of the courses designed to refresh and enhance their skills. This means that a majority of the deputies will drive the larger Chevy Tahoe for the first time in a training environment.

First, they will start the day reviewing policies related to vehicle operations, pursuits, and PIT. They will then drive through basic courses and focus on learning vehicle pivot points, turning radius, steering control, braking, and overall vehicle capabilities.

The course also allows deputies to experience both threshold and ABS braking.

After a morning of working on the basics, deputies will transition to pursuit driving, stop stick deployment, and PIT. Deputies will drive a pursuit course designed to illustrate speed control, steering, apex turning, braking, and cornering. This will allow deputies to operate their issued vehicle in a safe environment while building on the basic skills from the morning block.

During this portion of the training, deputies will practice using radios with other deputies to deploy stop sticks. Their focus will be avoiding injuries while communicating with the deputies involved in the pursuit.

The last portion of the training will incorporate the Training Division’s PIT Tahoes. Instructors will help deputies understand the techniques required while conducting a PIT using vehicles equipped with stabilization systems, as well as identifying the proper vehicle placements between a Chevy Tahoe or similar vehicle and the target vehicle. The PIT course is designed to update deputies who have been previously trained in the Ford Crown Victoria and allow them to experience the unique vehicle dynamics they will encounter.

The Training Division is very excited to be able to include these updates in the 2019 in-service program. While we know that we won’t prevent all vehicle crashes, this year’s driving program has been designed to remind deputies of the importance of this critical skill.

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Captain McMullen always joked that the most harm they could do was lick you into submission.

They were always kept on a lead in order for the trainers to keep up, otherwise they would run so far ahead they would never be found. Contrary to popular myth, a piece of clothing is not necessary for bloodhounds to determine the trail. The strongest and last scent in the area is the one they follow. The familiar howling sound is common only after they locate their prey.

In an article from the Floridian Magazine in 1962 titled, “Master of the Manhunt,” Captain McMullen and Deputy Stevenson were interviewed about their infamous canines and agreed that tracks were easier if there was moisture in the grass and the search could be done six to seven hours later.

Oftentimes, they said the escapees were ‘dogwise,’ meaning that they put pepper or turpentine on their shoes to mislead the trackers and sometimes would retrace their steps to confuse them. They also related that even though some shots were fired occasionally, no one ever shot at the bloodhounds. However, one time Spotlight was kicked in the stomach by a suspect, which knocked the wind out of him. Deputy Stevenson said, “the fellow regretted it.”

Captain McMullen credited Deputy Jim Brown with the next advancement in the tracking program. On one occasion, Brown was unable to

find Spotlight’s leather lead rope. He looked around and found a leather horse harness and put all 75 pounds of Spotlight into it! When Captain McMullen saw what he had done and how useful it was, he had a special harness made with each dog’s name engraved in the leather.

Both dogs were very popular with the local media, from the St. Pete Times and Evening Independent to the Clearwater Sun. Their captures were estimated to be more than 100, and their antics were well documented.

Even Spotlight’s attendance at a New Year’s Eve party in 1968 dressed in a party hat was worthy of a half-page spread in the newspaper. The media referred to Spotlight as the, “canine Dick Tracy.” He was even brought on a radio show on WTAN with the byline of, “Bashful Bloodhound Nose All, Won’t Tell.”

By the time Captain McMullen left Pinellas County to work for the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, Spotlight Jr. had been born and he was trained to continue the fine tracking record of his father, uncle, and grandfather.

Between tracking escapes from the prison camp to finding one of the FBI’s top 10 fugitives, these bloodhounds were recognized for their outstanding skills; and their trainers were praised for their professionalism and dedication. Spotlight and Blackjack received many recognitions, including Officer of the Year and the Lassie Gold Award.

The hounds served with devotion, honor, and distinction and were truly PCSO deputies. Ask any lawman from that time, and they will all have a bloodhound story to tell.

Information/photos provided by PCSO Archive Historian Penny Cooke.

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After our first K-9, Bimbo, had puppies Spotlight and Blackjack, Captain Carl McMullen and Deputy Don Anderson began training. At the puppies’ tender age of eight weeks, Captain McMullen began the process with hide and seek games in the citrus groves and palmettos that covered Pinellas County.

Tracking skills come naturally to the breed, but it took more than a year for the dogs to become truly proficient.

Issue 1: January - March 2019

PCSO Shares Self-care Methods

What are the best ways to stay mentally, emotionally, and physically healthy during service?

According to the Ruderman White Paper on Mental Health and Suicide of First Responders, there are many factors that contribute to mental health issues among first responders. The study found that on average, police officers witness 188 critical incidents during their careers. The exposure to trauma can lead to post traumatic stress disorder and depression, which causes first responders to commit suicide at a considerably higher rate than individuals in other industries. In 2018, law enforcement agencies across the country lost more than 159 people to suicide—which exceeded accidental deaths, including automobile accidents, gunfire, and drowning.

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office has the Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) team in place to support both sworn and unsworn members in times of need—especially after traumatic incidents. However, creating self-care routines should be a top priority for any person who works in law enforcement and corrections. The day-to-day stresses of working at the agency can often be subdued with exercise and positive social interaction.

We asked PCSO members what activities they do on a regular basis to help reduce stress, and why they think self-care is important for a successful career in law enforcement.

Sergeant Kannika Nimithkoune, Office of the Chief Deputy There are three activities I do on a regular basis: exercising, praying, and practicing gratitude. Every morning, I exercise for at least an hour. During this hour, I listen to music because it helps me step away from the world for that moment. If I do have a rough day at work, I’ll take a spin class to recharge.

Continuously staying active helps me manage stress.

I also make it a habit to pray every morning. During the really difficult times, I lean on my mom. She is, and always has been, my sounding board. We pray together, and that helps me tremendously. I can always count on my mom and prayer to help me through absolutely anything that comes my way.

Along with daily prayer, I also believe in practicing gratitude.

Being appreciative of things, be it small or large, can change your mindset from negative to positive almost immediately.

Rather than paying attention to issues, I focus on being thankful for all the blessings in my life.

Law enforcement is a stressful occupation. There are no ways to escape seeing or experiencing traumatic events. Some of them can have an effect on our mental and physical health. I think it’s important to identify when an incident affects us as soon as possible. Doing so can prevent cumulative stress, which could impact our health in the long run.

As a member of CISM and NRT (hostage negotiation team), I’ve learned the most effective way to deal with these incidents is to talk about them and not allow them to consume you. Talking to a colleague, friend, or family member and letting your thoughts out can be beneficial to your well-being.

To combat stress, I would also place an emphasis on practicing self-care. The absence of self-care can be detrimental to our happiness. Everyone should take a moment each day to do something for themselves. Whether it’s going for a walk, reading a book, shopping, or working out, just doing one thing that makes you happy each day speaks volumes for your health.

Cynthia Watson, Fiscal Affairs Bureau For the physical aspect, I work out 4-6 times per week. Three times a week, I meet with our fitness specialist, Justin Walsh, and complete his assigned workout, which is usually a CrossFit workout or strength training. Other times, I either go to the gym for a weightlifting session, or I run. I do 5Ks and 10Ks several times during the year as well.

For my mental well-being, I make sure that I have some “me time” to recharge my batteries. Once a week, my husband and I take a night off where there are no expectations of each other.

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Dinner is fend for yourself, and we are free to do whatever we like with our time. We still enjoy time together, but we also enjoy the time apart. Some of my favorite ways to de-stress include: working in my gardens, reading, getting a massage, eating out with friends, and just sitting on the porch with a glass of wine and some music.

Working in law enforcement has its own set of challenges.

Many people are responsible for the safety and well-being of others. Add in family demands and everyday life, and too often our own well-being gets pushed to the back burner. I think it is important to make ourselves a priority. It’s about finding the balance between “have to do” and “want to do.” Make time for yourself, say no when you need to, and minimize time spent with negative people.

Corporal Freddie Hayes Jr., Department of Detention and Corrections On my days off, I attempt to detach completely! Unless there is a pressing need, a project due, or an agency program that I’m involved in, I shift my focus away from any job-related issues or incidents.

Many of my brothers and sisters in this career field become far too emotionally attached to incidents to the extent of lugging all that extra stress home with them on a daily basis. This practice is a recipe for disaster.

I was once given a quote by a friend named Matt Williams, “Give it a moment, not your day.” The translation to this saying is, whether it’s making a tough decision, failing at a task, or disagreeing with a decision, don’t dwell on it. Don’t drag it home! Take a moment to learn from the situation, then move on with your day. This practice has not only sustained me, but it has also allowed me to learn and grow.

On my days off, you can find me at the Gracie Brandon Martial Arts Studio with Professor Robby Donofrio learning new Brazilian jiu-jitsu techniques. I developed a love for the sport after being introduced to it by Deputy Jeff Cuttitta. Although I often find myself on the losing end of the competition, the sport of jiu-jitsu helps me place my focus on something other than stressful work-related situations. Jiu-jitsu is equally as physical as it is mental, so it keeps my thoughts sharp too.

I also love running, weight training, and relaxing with friends and family. Friends are another important piece in our circle of health as it pertains to job-related stress. Surround yourself with friends who aren’t afraid to ask you how you’re doing, or those who will tell you that something may be a little off and that you may need to seek some assistance. My friends are considered the ambassadors to my mental health. They are also tasked with boldly giving me the hard truth about myself when it is required.

Lastly, smile and attempt to brighten someone else’s day. Your smile could be just what your fellow brother or sister at arms may need during his or her time of crisis.

Major Larry Nalven, Investigative Operations Bureau

It starts with taking a less travelled route home in order to avoid the traffic jam and relax. I take long walks with my wife and daughter on the weekends, and usually take my lab for walks in the morning and evening during the week. Doing projects around the house, especially on a nice day, takes my mind away from the office. If the weather is really nice, then I take the top off the wrangler and go for a ride.

I haven’t found a time yet where going to Clearwater Beach or Honeymoon Island hasn’t allowed me to clear my mind, reduce stress, and recharge!

Taking care of yourself mentally and physically allows you to handle stress better. There are times that you just have to admit it wasn’t your best day, best meeting, best presentation, etc. and know that the world is not going to end, and you have to move forward and put it behind you.

In law enforcement, we all sit too much, whether it’s at a desk or in a car, and that is not good for us. I try to take my lunch break every day and hit the great gym that we have. I can work out hard for 20-30 minutes and improve my overall health and purge most of my stress. This allows me to come back for the second half of the day fully recharged and ready to keep going.

To sum it up, I want to enjoy my work and my future retirement as best as I can, and I know that taking care of myself physically and mentally will help me achieve that goal.

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, you can get help immediately by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.

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I just recently graduated from the FBI National Academy, and while I was there for three months, there was a lot of focus on stress and exercise. I have always been a believer that separating work from home is best, which is step one to recharge. I am on call 24/7 and deal with work while away from the office, but I can still separate when needed.

DEPARTMENT SPOTLIGHT

Fleet Operations Division When the Fleet Operations Division was asked what it was most thankful for on Thanksgiving, the response was, “hand soap!” And with more than 1,500 vehicles to maintain and repair at the sheriff’s office, they certainly need it to wash away all of the grease. Fleet purchased 557 gallons of motor oil in December 2018 alone.

boxes, and gun boxes are installed by the Fleet Operations Division.

More than $4,000 of emergency lighting goes into one standard patrol deputy’s Tahoe.

The Fleet doesn’t just consist of patrol vehicles, but also sedans, pickup trucks, ATVs, prisoner transport vans, boats, golf carts, Humvees, trailers, and armored vehicles. When a deputy drops off his or her Tahoe for an oil change, the fleet technician must follow a 70-point checklist while inspecting the vehicle from front to back to ensure it is safe to drive.

“If the sheriff’s office didn’t have Fleet, the time to finish repairs would be exponentially longer, the cost of repairs to the county would be higher, and as a result, the members would be less safe doing their jobs,” Assistant Fleet Manager Tim Lester said.

Since the members who work in the Fleet Operations Division get to work on a variety of vehicles, the job is more interesting and challenging he added. “Sometimes there are misconceptions that, ‘mechanics are not very smart.’ Actually, mechanics are some of the smartest people you can meet because they must have a working knowledge of electrical systems, heating and air conditioning, hydraulics, and computer systems and software.”

Tim says that some people think that the agency vehicles come to the sheriff’s office ready to go. However, the Fleet team must assemble all of the vehicles from the ground up when they arrive from the manufacturer. All of the lights, sirens, cages, storage

“Fleet is an integral part of the sheriff’s office because it keeps the members in vehicles that are safe and reliable,” Tim said. “Our technicians are very proud of the job they do, and they understand how important they are to the success of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.”

In 2018, there weren’t any lost-time accidents, and the team performed more than 22,000 recorded task repairs on agency vehicles. The Fleet Operations Division is always working behind the scenes; they keep track of all the vehicles’ mileage and age to make sure there are always replacement vehicles in the pipeline to keep the Fleet going. The exception to that, however, is maintaining the sheriff’s office’s cars of the past—like the 1961 Plymouth and 1988 Dodge Diplomat—for community events.

Even though the Fleet team services sheriff’s office members alone, and not the public at large, they still hold the highest level of customer service and efficiency.

“Our goal is to provide our members with the best maintained equipment possible to help them in their vital mission of protecting and serving the community,” Tim affirmed. “It’s a pleasure to work with some of the true heroes of our community.”

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