Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office 2020 ANNUAL REPORT
“Leading The Way For A Safer Pinellas”
TABLE OF CONTENTS MESSAGE FROM THE SHERIFF................................. 4 ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW................................. 5 ORGANIZATIONAL CHART......................................................6 BUDGET.................................................................................8 COMMUNITY OVERVIEW.........................................................9 ACCREDITATION...................................................................10 HUMAN RESOURCES BUREAU..............................................11 USE OF FORCE......................................................................12 ADMINISTRATIVE INVESTIGATION DIVISION........................13
OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW.................................... 15 CRIME RATES.......................................................................15 CONTRACT CITIES & SERVICE CONTRACTS..........................16 PATROL OPERATIONS BUREAU.............................................19 PATROL OPERATIONS BUREAU: CENTRAL DISTRICT..............................................................20 PATROL OPERATIONS BUREAU: NORTH DISTRICT..................................................................21 PATROL OPERATIONS BUREAU: SPECIAL OPERATIONS..........................................................22 PATROL OPERATIONS BUREAU: YOUTH EDUCATION & ADMIN SERVICES...............................23 INVESTIGATIVE OPERATIONS BUREAU.................................24 JUDICIAL OPERATIONS BUREAU..........................................25 DEPARTMENT OF DETENTION & CORRECTIONS...................26 DEPARTMENT OF DETENTION & CORRECTIONS: MEDICAL DIVISION...............................................................27
MAJOR EVENTS & CASES..................................... 28 NEW INITIATIVES................................................. 31 UPDATES ON CURRENT INITIATIVES..................... 33
MESSAGE FROM THE SHERIFF Last year was challenging for everyone. Our community struggled with the impact of COVID-19, and law enforcement faced increased scrutiny following the murder of George Floyd. I had candid conversations in the community about what happened in Minneapolis, the policies we have in place, and other reformative programs that addressed a lot of the policing-related concerns being discussed at a national level. I found that many members of the community were unaware of our programs and policies, which told me that we needed to do a better job of getting the word out. As a result, I am pleased to present our 2020 Annual
educated discussions about the ways we can work together
Report. Within the report, you will find an agency overview,
to make our community safer.
a comprehensive operational summary, detailed statistics, updates on ongoing initiatives, and more.
Thank you for continued partnership and support.
I hope that you will take some time to review the report in
Sincerely,
order to gain a better understanding of how our agency operates and the proactive steps we are taking to address the unique challenges facing law enforcement today. Staying informed is one of the most important things
Bob Gualtieri
that you can do as a citizen because it allows us to have
Sheriff, Pinellas County
On Wednesday February 17, 2021, Deputy Michael Magli lost his life in the line of duty. Initially hired as a part-time Criminal Justice Specialist, Deputy Magli transferred to a deputy recruit position and was assigned to the Patrol Operations Bureau in 2013. He served eight years with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Magli has the unfortunate distinction of being the first line-of-duty death in the 109-year history of the agency. He leaves behind his wife, Stephanie, and two young daughters. His name will be added to federal, state, and local law enforcement memorials. The Deputy Michael J. Magli Memorial Fund will serve as the official memorial fund for the Magli family. Those interested in donating are asked to visit any SunTrust banking location or send checks to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Fiscal Affairs Bureau made payable to the memorial.
4 MESSAGE FROM THE SHERIFF
ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW
Responsible for law enforcement and public safety, the sheriff is designated by Florida law as the chief law enforcement officer of the county, and the sheriff is designated as the “conservator of the peace.” The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) is also responsible for service of all legal process (writs, warrants, subpoenas, and other legal documents) directed to it by the courts or the county commissioners, and like many counties, is the sole keeper of the county jail and provider of court security. The foundation of the PCSO is built on leadership and
The sheriff’s office employs approximately 850 sworn law
technology. The organization possesses a strong set
enforcement deputies. In addition to law enforcement
of values that direct how our mission is accomplished.
services, the sheriff’s office is responsible for the care,
All members strive to conduct business consistent with
custody, and control of approximately 3,000 inmates
our foundation.
in the Pinellas County Jail. The sheriff’s office employs approximately 700 sworn corrections deputies, and more
In Pinellas County, the sheriff provides several countywide
than 1,300 non-sworn support staff.
services including Sexual Predator and Offender Tracking (SPOT), law enforcement aviation, civil process, and child
The sheriff’s office is structured into thirteen distinct
protection investigation. In 2013, the PCSO assumed
organizational components. Whether patrolling our streets,
responsibility for misdemeanor probation. The sheriff’s
operating the county jail, or securing our courthouses, all
office is one of only five law enforcement agencies in Florida
components of the PCSO work collectively to provide the
to provide misdemeanor probation services.
best public safety services countywide. The organizational structure of the agency allows all members to work
As the largest law enforcement agency in Pinellas County,
effectively and efficiently to serve the citizens of Pinellas
the sheriff’s office has a 1.8 officer to citizen ratio which
County regardless of the member’s assignment.
is below the state average of 2.5. The sheriff’s office operating budget exceeds $400 million annually. The bulk of the budget consists of personnel services. ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW 5
SHERIFF
CHIEF DEPUTY
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS BUREAU
ADMINISTRATIVE INVESTIGATION DIVISION
STRATEGIC PLANNING DIVISION
OPERATIONS ASSISTANT CHIEF DEPUTY
INVESTIGATIVE OPERATIONS BUREAU
PATROL OPERATIONS BUREAU
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION
NORTH DISTRICT STATION
NARCOTICS DIVISION
CENTRAL DISTRICT STATION
CHILD PROTECTION DIVISION
SPECIAL OPERATIONS DIVISION
HUMAN RESOURCES BUREAU
YOUTH EDUCATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
6 PINELLAS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
PINELLAS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
FISCAL AFFAIRS BUREAU
PUBLIC RELATIONS BUREAU
SUPPORT ASSISTANT CHIEF DEPUTY
SUPPORT SERVICES BUREAU
DEPARTMENT OF DETENTION & CORRECTIONS
PUBLIC RECORDS PROCESSING UNIT “PRPU”
NORTH DIVISION
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY BUREAU
JUDICIAL OPERATIONS BUREAU
SOUTH DIVISION
COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION RECORDS DIVISION
FORENSIC SCIENCES DIVISION
GENERAL COUNSEL
JUDICIAL SERVICES DIVISION CENTRAL DIVISION
PURCHASING & MATERIALS DIVISION
SUPPORT & HEALTH SERVICES BUREAU
AFIS DIVISION FLEET SERVICES DIVISION
TRAINING DIVISION PROPERTY & EVIDENCE DIVISION
CUSTODY MANAGEMENT DIVISION
SUPPORT DIVISION
HEALTH DIVISION
ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW 7
ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW BUDGET The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office primarily receives its funding from the county’s general fund budget. The Board of County Commissioners approves the sheriff’s budget on an annual basis. 2020-2021 OPERATING BUDGET
SUMMARY EXPENDITURE: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Personnel Services
$
282,015,020
Operating Expenses
$
42,966,110
Capital Outlay
$
2,861,000
TOTAL
$ 327,842,130
FULL-TIME POSITIONS
1,116
Total Personnel Services
$
141,556,750
Total Operating Expenses
$
25,071,240
Total Capital Outlay
$
2,795,030
TOTAL
$ 169,423,020
86% PERSONNEL SERVICES SUMMARY EXPENDITURE: DETENTION AND CORRECTIONS
13% OPERATING EXPENSES 1% CAPITAL OUTLAY
BUDGET 5-YEAR HISTORY 2016-17
FULL-TIME POSITIONS
1,039
Total Personnel Services
$
112,734,050
Total Operating Expenses
$
16,161,620
Total Capital Outlay
$
65,970
TOTAL
$ 128,961,640
SUMMARY EXPENDITURE: JUDICIAL OPERATIONS $280,460,380
2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21
8 PINELLAS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
$286,768,760 $299,526,380
FULL-TIME POSITIONS
261
Total Personnel Services
$
27,724,220
Total Operating Expenses
$
1,733,250
TOTAL
$ 29,457,470
$315,458,040 $327,842,130
ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW COMMUNITY OVERVIEW The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) provides
manufacturing and financial services. More than 440,000
primary law enforcement services to Pinellas County,
people are currently employed within Pinellas County.
which is situated on the west coast of Florida. The county is a peninsula bordered by the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa
The PCSO is the largest law enforcement agency in
Bay. Pinellas County consists of 283 square miles of land.
Pinellas County and provides primary law enforcement
Pinellas County has a full-time resident population of
services to 41% of the county’s total population. The
978,000. As the most densely populated county in the
remaining 59% of the population is served by 10 different
state, Pinellas County has 3,500 persons per square
municipal law enforcement agencies. The PCSO contracts
mile compared to the entire state of Florida, which has
primary law enforcement services with 13 of the 24
370 persons per square mile. Due to its numerous beach
incorporated municipalities. There has been a consistent
communities and Florida climate, Pinellas County is also
interest from smaller municipalities to utilize PCSO services,
a year-round tourist destination. It is projected that 15.3
including the use of its records management and computer-
million tourists and visitors come to Pinellas County each
aided dispatch systems (RMS/CAD). At this time, six law
year. Pinellas County is unique in that it is home to 24
enforcement agencies in Pinellas are utilizing the records
incorporated municipalities. These communities range
management and computer dispatch systems. This increases
from small municipal towns like Belleair Beach to large
law enforcement’s ability to communicate and investigate
metropolitan cities like St. Petersburg and Clearwater.
criminal activity across jurisdictional boundaries. Information
Pinellas County is home to approximately 35,000
sharing also creates stronger community partnerships
businesses ranging from tourism to health services,
among law enforcement agencies.
COUNTY DEMOGRAPHICS WHITE 783,216 BLACK 107,115 HISPANIC/LATINO 105,149 ASIAN 35,377 TWO OR MORE RACES 27,516 OTHER 25,550 NATIVE AMERICAN/ ALASKA NATIVE 2,948 PACIFIC ISLANDER 983
ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW 9
ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW ACCREDITATION Of the more than 3,000 sheriff’s offices nationwide, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) is one of the few law enforcement agencies in the nation to achieve high marks in five areas of national, professional accreditation: law enforcement, corrections, inmate health care, forensics, and law enforcement aviation. Designed to reflect the best professional practices in each respective area, the standards deal with the “what”, leaving the decision of “how” up to each agency. The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement
treatment, health records, administration, personnel, and
Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) was established in 1979 as
medical-legal issues. The PCSO has maintained NCCHC
an independent accrediting authority by four law
accreditation since 1987.
enforcement associations: The International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Organization of Black
The ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) is the
Law Enforcement Executives, National Sheriffs’
largest multi-disciplinary accreditation body in North
Association and the Police Executive Research Forum.
America providing accreditation services to both public
Its accreditation program requires agencies to comply
and private sector organizations and is owned by the
with the highest standards in four areas: policy and
American National Standards Institute (ANSI). ANAB
procedures, administration, operation, and support
is now the longest established provider of ISO based
services. The PCSO has maintained CALEA accreditation
accreditation standards for forensic agencies in the United
since 1988.
States. ANAB began providing forensic accreditation in 1982, and in 2016, ANAB merged its existing forensic
The American Correctional Association (ACA) was
operations with those of ASCLAD/LAB. The PCSO has
founded in 1870 as the National Prison Association,
maintained ANAB accreditation since 2019.
changing to the American Correctional Association in 1954 to reflect their “expanding philosophy of corrections
The Airborne Public Safety Accreditation Commission
and its increasingly important role within the community
(APSAC) is an entity within the Airborne Public Safety
and society.” The ACA utilizes the principles of humanity,
Association (APSA) that provides, develops, and maintains
justice, protection, opportunity, knowledge, competence,
standards of accreditation for operations performed by
and accountability to develop sound corrections practices.
public safety aviation units and offers auditing, consulting,
The PCSO has maintained ACA accreditation since 1984.
and accreditation services to public safety aviation operations in accordance with those standards. The
The National Commission on Correctional Health Care
accreditation services provided are intended not only as a
(NCCHC) originated in the early 1970s as a result of a
means of evaluation, but also to encourage safe, efficient,
study by the American Medical Association which found
and accident-free aviation operations in support of public
health care in jails to be inadequate, disorganized, and
safety missions. The overall program is designed to
lacking in national standards. NCCHC was established
objectively evaluate and certify a unit’s compliance with
by professionals from the health, legal, and correctional
the standards as developed by APSAC and adopted by
arenas to provide standards for prisons, jails, and juvenile
APSA as best practice. The PCSO has maintained ASPAC
confinement facilities. These standards cover care and
accreditation since 2019.
10 PINELLAS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW HUMAN RESOURCES BUREAU The Human Resources Bureau processes thousands of applications and oversees the hiring process for hundreds of new employees on an annual basis. In 2020, HR processed over 4,000 applications, and less than 300 applicants were hired that’s less than 10%. For the position of deputy sheriff (law enforcement or
In addition to an oral board process, applicants
corrections certified) specifically, 638 individuals applied
must successfully complete an extensive background
for a certified law enforcement or corrections position and
check and polygraph test along with medical and
only 103 met the agency standards.
psychological testing.
AGENCY DEMOGRAPHICS VS. COUNTY DEMOGRAPHICS
AGENCY MAKE-UP
WHITE 78% 80%
44%
BLACK 12% 11% HISPANIC / LATINO 6% 11%
31%
ASIAN 2% 4% TWO OR MORE RACES
1% 3%
HAWAIIN / PACIFIC ISLANDER .2% .1% NATIVE AMERICAN / ALASKA NATIVE .1% .3%
13%
25% PCSO COUNTY
NON-SWORN
27%
LEO SWORN
DETENTION SWORN
4%
LAW ENFORCEMENT HIRED
DETENTION & CORRECTIONS HIRED
CIVILIANS HIRED
Applications Received: 499 Hired: 66
Applications Received: 139 Hired: 37
Applications Received: 3,792 Hired: 163
ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW 11
ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW USE OF FORCE The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) is a national leader in capturing use-of-force data. Sheriff Bob Gualtieri represented the Major County Sheriffs of America in working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to develop their Use-of-Force Data Collection program. The data allows for more comprehensive research into how and why law enforcement officers use force. In 2017, the PCSO was one of 64 law enforcement agencies in the United States to join the pilot program and the first in Florida. In the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd by police
other means before resorting to deadly force, requiring
officers in Minneapolis, the #8CantWait campaign was at
deputies to intervene if other members are violating the law
the forefront of advocacy groups. The campaign identified
or agency policy, and requiring comprehensive reporting of
eight policies that law enforcement agencies should have
all uses of force.
in place that could have prevented Floyd’s death. These policies included requiring de-escalation training, having
Every one of these policies was already in place at the
a use-of-force continuum, banning chokeholds, requiring
PCSO, for many years, in some cases. In 2020, three of
verbal warning before using deadly force, restricting firing
these policies were revised to including stronger language
weapons at moving vehicles, requiring exhaustion of all
to better reflect their intent.
LAW ENFORCEMENT USE-OF-FORCE INCIDENTS
LAW ENFORCEMENT USE OF FORCE– 5 MOST COMMON REASONS 2020
440
REFUSED TO COMPLY
435 324
Incidents in 2018
196
EVASIVE MOVEMENTS
Incidents in 2019
96
BATTERY ON DEPUTY
56
COMBATIVE SUBJECT
Incidents in 2020
BELIEF SUBJECT DANGEROUS
48 12
DETENTION & CORRECTIONS USE-OF-FORCE INCIDENTS
DETENTION & CORRECTIONS USE OF FORCE– 5 MOST COMMON REASONS 2020
257
EVASIVE MOVEMENTS
245 292
Incidents in 2018
168
COMBATIVE SUBJECT
Incidents in 2019
102
REFUSED TO COMPLY
57
BATTERY ON DEPUTY
Incidents in 2020
BATTERY ON INMATE
12 PINELLAS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
35 9
ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW ADMINISTRATIVE INVESTIGATION DIVISION The Administrative Investigation Division (AID) is essentially a law enforcement agency within a law enforcement agency. It is responsible for conducting thorough investigations of member misconduct. Once all of the evidence is gathered during the investigation, the member appears before the Administrative Review Board (ARB) for questioning. The findings and recommendations of the ARB are submitted to the sheriff for review, and he determines disposition of the complaint and any disciplinary measures. The sheriff’s findings of all closed AID cases are posted on www.pcsoweb.com. 2020 GENERAL AND BIASED-BASED COMPLAINTS
598
External (Citizen) Complaints Received
5
0
Complaints Alleging Bias on the Part of Our Members
Bias-based Complaints Were Substantiated
COMMAND LEVEL INVESTIGATIONS
COMMAND LEVEL INVESTIGATIONS
UNSUBSTANTIATED OPEN
SUBSTANTIATED EXONERATED
250 213
UNFOUNDED
78 74
200 169
60
55
150 120
40
100
82
81 82
50
64
61
20 6 2
0
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
FORMAL INTERNAL AFFAIRS INVESTIGATIONS
0
0
0
2
1
0
2018 (82 Total)
5 1
0
0
2019 (81 Total)
0
2020 (61 Total)
FORMAL INTERNAL AFFAIRS INVESTIGATIONS SUBSTANTIATED EXONERATED
100
UNSUBSTANTIATED OPEN
UNFOUNDED POLICY REVIEW
82 80
30
30
29
61 55
60
52
48
40
20
43
42
13
36
13 11
10
10
20 4
3
0
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
0
0
0
0
2018 (52 Total)
0
0
0
1
2019 (43 Total)
0
5
0
2020 (36 Total)
“Command Level” investigations are administrative complaints that are referred to the accused member’s bureau commander for investigation. “Formal Internal Affairs” investigations into apparent violations of agency policy or criminal law are conducted by personnel assigned to AID. “Substantiated” complaints are those in which an investigation indicates that the member committed the alleged act of misconduct. “Unsubstantiated” complaints are those in which an investigation indicates that there is insufficient evidence to clearly prove or disprove allegations of misconduct. “Unfounded” complaints are those in which an investigation indicates that the alleged misconduct did not occur.
ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW 13
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office has utilized the Chevrolet Tahoe as its primary patrol vehicle since 2013. Purpose-built for police work, these vehicles serve as a deputy’s home away from home.
OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program generates reliable statistics for use in law enforcement and includes data from more than 18,000 city, university and college, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement agencies. All participating agencies voluntarily submit their data directly to the FBI or to their state UCR program. “Index Crimes” refer to specific, more serious crimes. In the FBI’s UCR program, index crimes include murder, sexual offenses, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft. TOTAL INDEX CRIME - HISTORICAL
TOTAL INDEX CRIME
% INDEX CHANGE
CRIME RATE/100,000
% RATE CHANGE
% CLEARED
2011 8,037
-7.9%
2,946.2
-7.6% 30.8%
2012 6,966
-13.3%
2,557.8
-13.2% 32.1%
2013 6,758
-3.3%
2,471.1
-3.4% 33.2%
2014 6,326
-6.4%
2,303.7
-6.8% 34.1%
2015 6,898
9.0%
2,493.2
8.2% 31.2%
2016 6,566
-4.4%
2,359.6
-4.9% 32.3%
2017 5,587
-14.9%
2,003.7
-15.1% 30.8%
2018 4,939
-11.6%
1,771.4
-11.6% 28.4%
2019 4,297
-13.0%
1,535.3
-13.3% 26.2%
4,
29
4,
7
93
5,
6,000
9
58
7
6,
56
6
8 89 6,
6
2013
32
2012
6,
75 6,
8
6 96 6,
8,000
8,
03
7
TOTAL INDEX CRIME - HISTORICAL COMPARISON
4,000 2,000
2011
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2016
2017
2018
2019
9%
TOTAL INDEX CRIME - HISTORICAL RATE OF CHANGE
10%
2013
2014
% .4
%
-3 .
-6
9%
3% -1
1. -1
9% 4. -1
-1
3.
3%
6%
-7 .
10%
2015
-4 .4
2012
3%
2011
OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW 15
OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW CONTRACT CITIES & SERVICE CONTRACTS Of the 24 municipalities in Pinellas County, 13 do not have their own law enforcement agencies and contract with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) to be their primary law enforcement provider. BELLEAIR BEACH began contracting law enforcement services with the PCSO in June of 2007. The City of Belleair Beach was established in 1950. The city is strictly a residential beach community. Belleair Beach has a reported population of 1,485 residents and has a land area of less than half a square mile. BELLEAIR BLUFFS began contracting law enforcement services with the PCSO in January of 1995. The City OLDSMAR
of Belleair Bluffs was established in 1963. The city’s residential and commercial population serves as a gateway
DUNEDIN SAFETY HARBOR
to the local gulf beaches and has a land area of less than half a square mile. Belleair Bluffs has a reported population of 2,329 residents and is home to over 200 local businesses. BELLEAIR SHORE began contracting law enforcement
BELLEAIR BEACH BELLEAIR BLUFFS BELLEAIR SHORE
services with the PCSO in June of 2007. The Town of Belleair Shore was established in 1955. The town is strictly
INDIAN ROCKS BEACH
a residential beach community with a reported population of 80 residents. Belleair Shore has a land area of less than one-tenth of a square mile.
SEMINOLE
DUNEDIN began contracting law enforcement services
NORTH REDINGTON BEACH REDINGTON BEACH MADEIRA BEACH
with the PCSO in October of 1995. The City of Dunedin was established in 1899 and has a quaint downtown setting home to shops, galleries, restaurants and numerous festivals. The city is home to two top-ranked beach
SOUTH PASADENA ST. PETE BEACH
parks: Caladesi Island State Park and Honeymoon Island State Park. Dunedin has a reported population of 36,381 residents and a land area of approximately 11 square miles. INDIAN ROCKS BEACH began contracting law enforcement services with the PCSO in December of 1993. The city of Indian Rocks Beach was established in 1956. The city’s residential and commercial population serves a thriving beach tourism industry in Pinellas County with a reported population of 4,243 residents. Indian Rocks Beach has a land area of less than one square mile.
16 PINELLAS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
MADEIRA BEACH began contracting law enforcement
SAFETY HARBOR began contracting law enforcement
services with the PCSO in September of 1995. The city’s
services with the PCSO in October of 1976. The city hosts
residential and commercial population serves a thriving beach
a number of festivals and special events throughout the
tourism industry in Pinellas County and is home to John’s
year and is home to the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa and
Pass Village & Boardwalk. Madeira Beach has a reported
Philippe Park. The city was established in 1912 and has a
population of 4,300 residents and has a land area of less than
reported population of 18,657 residents. Safety Harbor has
one square mile.
a land area of approximately five square miles.
NORTH REDINGTON BEACH began contracting law
SEMINOLE began contracting law enforcement services
enforcement services with the PCSO in July of 1998.
with the PCSO in November of 1970. The city of Seminole
The Town of North Redington Beach was established
is the youngest city in Pinellas County, established in 1970.
in 1953. The town’s primarily residential population is
Seminole has a reported population of 18,866 residents
home to predominately single-family waterfront homes
and is home to the Seminole Recreation Center. Seminole
with a reported population of 1,242 residents. North
has a land area of approximately six square miles.
Redington has a land area of less than a quarter of a square mile.
SOUTH PASADENA began contracting law enforcement services with the PCSO in May of 1973. The City of South
OLDSMAR began contracting law enforcement services
Pasadena was established in 1955. The city hosts a number
with the PCSO in October of 1975. The City of Oldsmar was
of waterfront parks, local restaurants and shops and has
established in 1945 and boasts a number of parks, as well
a reported population of 5,088 residents. South Pasadena
as historic bungalows in a quaint downtown setting. The
has a land area of six-tenths of a square mile.
city is also home to a large number of commercial areas surrounding the city’s arterial roadways. Oldsmar has a
ST. PETE BEACH began contracting law enforcement
reported population of 14,657 residents and has a land area
services with the PCSO in January of 2013. The City of
of approximately nine square miles.
St. Pete Beach was established in 1957. Tourism is an integral part of the city’s economy and the community is a
REDINGTON BEACH began contracting law enforcement
collection of families, businesses, and tourist attractions.
services with the PCSO in July of 1998. The town is
St. Pete Beach has a reported population of 9,587 residents
primarily a waterfront community, and boasts four town
and a land area of approximately two square miles.
parks and a community recreation area with a reported population of 1,293 residents. Redington Beach has a land area less than a half of a square mile.
OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW 17
Community Policing Unit Deputy Eric Ford poses for a photo with a little girl at a bicycle safety event.
OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW PATROL OPERATIONS BUREAU The Patrol Operations Bureau (POB) is commanded by a major and is the largest law enforcement bureau within the sheriff’s office. It is comprised of four divisions: North District, Central District, Special Operations, and Youth Education and Administrative Services, each commanded by a captain. Members of POB are the face of the organization. When citizens contact the communications center to request a deputy, the members of POB are the designated first responders for all calls for service. LAW ENFORCEMENT ANNUAL COMPARISON
COMPUTER AUTOMATED DISPATCH (CAD)
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) utilizes a Computer Aided Dispatch system (CAD) to dispatch and track calls for service. Based on data captured from the system, “Unique Events” represents individual calls for service while “Units Responding” represents the total number of units assigned to
The Computer Aided Dispatch system (CAD) is used to prioritize and record incident calls, identify the status and location of responders in the field, and effectively dispatch deputies. Priorities are built into the CAD program based upon the nature of the problem.
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
those calls.
ARMED EMERGENCY CALL
361,446
3:12 Average Response Time 621,220
Armed Emergency Call Average Response Time is used for a high priority call with a weapon involved. Examples: Armed Person, Shooting – In Progress, and Armed Robbery – In Progress
408,064 671,213 412,442
HIGH CALL
674,862
4:43 Average Response Time High Call Average Response Time is used for an immediate dispatch. Examples: Assault/Battery – In Progress, Burglary – In Progress, and Robbery – In Progress
414,077 682,155 495,327 783,142
MEDIUM CALL
6:13 Average Response Time
560,735 867,806 545,715
Medium Call Average Response Time is used for non-emergency or non-life-threatening situations in which time is important, but not critical. Examples: Alarm, Disorderly Conduct, or Suspicious Person
846,960
LOW CALL
529,608 807,425
7:45 Average Response Time Low Call is used for a miscellaneous request for service in which time is not important. Examples: Animal Call, Noise, and Trespass
496,280 713,298 422,204 616,255 UNIQUE EVENTS
UNITS RESPONDING
OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW 19
OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW PATROL OPERATIONS BUREAU: CENTRAL DISTRICT Members of Central District provide uniformed law enforcement services for citizens in unincorporated Pinellas County and contract cities south of SR 60 (Gulf to Bay Blvd.). The District is divided into three geographic squad areas and serves ten law enforcement contract cities: Belleair Beach, Belleair Bluffs, Belleair Shore, Indian Rocks Beach, Madeira Beach, North Redington Beach, Redington Beach, Seminole, South Pasadena, and St. Pete Beach. The Central District station is housed in the Sheriff’s Administration Building in Largo. Deputies assigned to Central District respond to all calls for law enforcement services, provide traffic enforcement, and conduct routine patrol and extra patrol as requested. Central District also has designated community policing deputies who work with citizen groups and community partners on various problem-oriented policing initiatives.
2020 CENTRAL DISTRICT OFFENSES TOTAL OFFENSES 16,612
QUARTER 1 4,356 QUARTER 2 3,933 QUARTER 3 4,206 QUARTER 4 4,117
2020 CENTRAL DISTRICT INCIDENTS TOTAL INCIDENTS 24,795
QUARTER 1 6,056 QUARTER 2 6,096 QUARTER 3 6,561 CENTRAL DISTRICT INCORPORATED POLICE DEPARTMENT SERVICE AREA
20 PINELLAS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
QUARTER 4 6,082 An offense is defined as an event that resulted in a criminal charge like assault, burglary, or motor vehicle theft. An incident is defined as an event that is not criminal like an assist motorist, a noise complaint, or an alarm call.
OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW PATROL OPERATIONS BUREAU: NORTH DISTRICT Members of North District provide uniformed law enforcement services for citizens in unincorporated Pinellas County and contract cities located north of SR 60 (Gulf to Bay Blvd.) to the Pasco county line. The North District area is divided into two geographic squad areas and serves three law enforcement contract cities: Dunedin, Oldsmar, and Safety Harbor. North District Station is physically located in the City of Dunedin. Deputies assigned to North District respond to all calls for law enforcement services, provide traffic enforcement, and conduct routine patrol and extra patrol as requested. North District also has designated community policing deputies who work with citizen groups and community partners on various problem-oriented policing initiatives.
2020 NORTH DISTRICT OFFENSES TOTAL OFFENSES 7,344
QUARTER 1 1,915 QUARTER 2 1,704 QUARTER 3 2,067 QUARTER 4 1,658
2020 NORTH DISTRICT INCIDENTS TOTAL INCIDENTS 14,650
QUARTER 1 3,775 QUARTER 2 3,569 QUARTER 3 3,745 NORTH DISTRICT INCORPORATED POLICE DEPARTMENT SERVICE AREA
QUARTER 4 3,561 An offense is defined as an event that resulted in a criminal charge like assault, burglary, or motor vehicle theft. An incident is defined as an event that is not criminal like an assist motorist, a noise complaint, or an alarm call.
OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW 21
OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW PATROL OPERATIONS BUREAU: SPECIAL OPERATIONS The Special Operations Division is comprised of a number of specialized enforcement components, including the Marine, Canine, Flight, DUI and Mental Health Units. Special Operations personnel are responsible for providing law enforcement services to the St. Petersburg-Clearwater Airport and Pinellas Safe Harbor jail diversion facility. Special Operations personnel also coordinate off-duty work assignments and develop and implement security plans for special events throughout the county. The Special Operations Division oversees specialized teams such as the Special Weapons and Tactics Team, the Dive Team, and the Major Accident Investigation Team.
228
Total Arrests with K-9 The Canine Unit is comprised of 14 teams that support patrol operations in tracking criminals and finding missing persons.
5,130
Calls for Service The Marine & Environmental Lands Unit is responsible for patrolling freshwater lakes, parts of Tampa Bay, the Intracoastal Waterway, and 9-miles out into the Gulf of Mexico.
880
Total Flights
1,489
Total Flight Hours
The Flight Unit provides aviation support to all Pinellas County law enforcement agencies and other regional partners.
980
Total DUI’s
2,091 Crashes
156
DUI Related Crashes
The DUI unit is comprised of one sergeant, one corporal, five deputies, and a breath testing operator.
22 PINELLAS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW
PATROL OPERATIONS BUREAU: YOUTH EDUCATION & ADMINISTRATION SERVICES Members of the Youth Education & Administrative Services Division (YEASD) serve a number of roles. YEASD is comprised of a variety of units including: School Guardian, School Resource Officer (SRO), Youth Services, Habitual Offender Monitoring and Enforcement (HOME), and School Crossing Guard. The YEASD also serves as a liaison to all contract cities. This division is responsible for programs such as: Juvenile Diversion, Narcotics Overdose Prevention and Education (NOPE), and the Pinellas County Police Explorers.
411
Active Assailant Drills The SRO and School Guardian Units completed 411 Active Assailant Drills over the course of seven months.
6,777
Compliance Checks The countywide HOME Task Force conducted 6,777 compliance checks on 367 delinquent juveniles, averaging 32 checks a night.
17,000+
Children Safely Crossed The School Crossing Guard Unit safely crossed 17,106 children at 151 different posts throughout the county.
400
Reunited Runaways One “Runaway Deputy” investigated and successfully reunited 400 runaway children with their families.
OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW 23
OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW INVESTIGATIVE OPERATIONS BUREAU The Investigative Operations Bureau is comprised of three divisions: the Criminal Investigation Division, the Narcotics Division, and the Child Protection Investigation Division. The Criminal Investigation Division is broken down into three
to complex drug conspiracy investigations. These
sections: Property Crimes, Crimes Against Persons, and
investigations are often broad and expand beyond the
Tactical Investigations. The following units are assigned to
PCSO jurisdiction, requiring partnerships with local and
the Property Crimes Section: Burglary and Pawn, Arson and
federal agencies such as High Intensity Drug Trafficking
Auto Theft, Digital Forensics, Economic Crimes Unit, and
Areas (H.I.D.T.A).
Criminal Intelligence. The following units are assigned to the Crimes Against Persons Section: Homicide/Robbery, Crimes
The Child Protection Investigation Division is primarily
Against Children, Cold Case, and Sexual Predator Offender
responsible for investigating allegations of child abuse,
Tracking. The units in the Criminal Investigation Division are
abandonment, and neglect within Pinellas County.
highly specialized, and investigate criminal activity related to
These investigations can range from serious neglect
each specific discipline.
resulting in the removal of an at-risk child from the parents to something minor where a family is referred
The Narcotics Division is responsible for investigating narcotics-related crimes from street-level drug dealing
2020 TOTAL CRIMES
FINAL DATA PUBLISHED IN MAY OF 2020
69.8% LARCENY 1.7% ROBBERY 11.1% BURGLARY
2.5% FORCIBLE SEX OFFENSES 8.8% AGGRAVATED ASSAULT 5.7% MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT .1% HOMICIDE OFFENSES OFFENSE CATEGORY
2018
2019
HOMICIDE OFFENSES
7
9
8
FORCIBLE SEX OFFENSES
155
119
141
ROBBERY
123 80 96
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
436
BURGLARY*
740 676 603
LARCENY MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT TOTAL
400
2020
482
5,781 4,811 3,805 419
332
312
7,661 6,427 5,447 *INCLUDES VEHICLE BURGLARY
24 PINELLAS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
to a service provider.
OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW JUDICIAL OPERATIONS BUREAU The Judicial Operations Bureau is commanded by a major and has three sections: Criminal Court Security Section, Civil Court Security and Enforcement Section, and the Court Supervision Section.
2020 BAILIFF SCREENINGS PUBLIC ENTRANCES
COURTHOUSE LOCATIONS 2020 TOTAL
COUNTY JUSTICE CENTER PUBLIC ENTRANCE
213,183
SHERIFF’S ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
10,344
ST. PETERSBURG (CIRCUIT & TRAFFIC CTS.)
87,925
CLEARWATER (CIRCUIT, CTNY., TRAFFIC)
TOTAL MAGNETOMETER
22,524 333,976
ALTERNATIVE SENTENCING UNIT MONITORING EQUIPMENT FINANCIALS TOTAL DOLLARS BILLED BY 3M FOR MONITORING DOLLARS COLLECTED (OFFENDER PAY) COLLECTION RATE
2020 TOTAL $2,010,419.90 $525,646.23 26%
NORTH COUNTY TRAFFIC COURT 29582 U.S. 19 NORTH CLEARWATER, FL 33761
ELECTRONIC MONITORING PROGRAM AVERAGE DAILY OFFENDER COUNT
343
TOTAL PLACED
1,501
TOTAL REMOVED
1,018
TOTAL VIOLATIONS COSTS SAVINGS IN LIEU OF INCARCERATION*
336 $16,288,360.26
CLEARWATER COURTHOUSE 315 COURT STREET CLEARWATER, FL 33756
DAY REPORTING PROGRAM AVERAGE DAILY OFFENDER COUNT
17
TOTAL PLACED
7
TOTAL REMOVED
3
TOTAL VIOLATIONS
2
TOTAL DAYS WORKED
38
COST SAVINGS TO OTHER AGENCIES
$4,825.12
COSTS SAVINGS IN LIEU OF INCARCERATION*
$25,700.73
PINELLAS COUNTY JUSTICE CENTER 14250 49TH STREET NORTH CLEARWATER, FL 33762
CONTINUOUS ALCOHOL MONITORING PROGRAM AVERAGE DAILY OFFENDER COUNT
454
TOTAL PLACED
1,897
TOTAL REMOVED
1,565
TOTAL VIOLATIONS COSTS SAVINGS IN LIEU OF INCARCERATION*
272 $20,215,284.24
ST. PETERSBURG COURTHOUSE 545 1ST AVENUE NORTH ST. PETERSBURG, FL 33701
PRE-TRIAL SERVICES PROGRAM AVERAGE DAILY DEFENDANT COUNT
1,317
TOTAL PLACED
3,804
TOTAL REMOVED
2,862
FTAS (INCLUDED WITHIN TOTAL REMOVED) COSTS SAVINGS IN LIEU OF INCARCERATION*
96 $59,293,428.66
SUPERVISED BOND AVERAGE DAILY DEFENDANT COUNT
510
OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW 25
OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW DEPARTMENT OF DETENTION & CORRECTIONS The Department of Detention and Corrections (DDC) is comprised of South Division, Central Division, North Division, and the Support and Health Services Bureau. The DDC is one of the largest components in the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and oversees an average daily population of 3,000 inmates. The DDC is responsible for the care, custody, control, and general welfare of all inmates housed within the jail facility. The 2020 county jail statistics are skewed significantly lower due to COVID-19. At the height of the crisis, the sheriff partnered with Pinellas County law enforcement agencies, the state attorney, the public defender, and the courts to reduce the number of arrestees and speed up the court processes to expedite the release of inmates awaiting trial.
9
2 11
2
10
11
00
0
2,
3,
7 96
3 88 2,
3 75
120
2016
2017
2018
2019
100 80
73
2,
23
4
2,
3,000
11
AVERAGE DAILY BOOKINGS 9
AVERAGE DAILY POPULATION
60 2,000 40 20 1,000
2020
2020
25
TOTAL BOOKINGS & RELEASES
40,000
2017
2018
2019
40 , 40 61 ,4 0 91
15
40 , 40 70 ,7 0 32
39 , 39 712 ,5 11
RELEASED
40 , 40 42 ,4 6 08
BOOKED
35 27
2019
27
2018
27
2017
24
2016
35
AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY (IN DAYS)
5
26 , 27 80 ,0 6 66
2016 30,000
INMATES TRANSPORTED STATEWIDE 2016
20,000
10,000
2020
9,308
2017
12,360
2018
12,344
2019
13,015
2020 2016
2017
2018
2019
26 PINELLAS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
2020
4,903 3,000
6,000
9,000
12,000
15,000
OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW DEPARTMENT OF DETENTION & CORRECTIONS: MEDICAL DIVISION The Medical Division is comprised of Medical Services, Mental Health Services, Dental Services, and Administrative Services. Medical Services is responsible for coordinating the medical care for an average of 3,000 inmates in the jail. Services include dental, mental health, and urgent/emergency care as well as chronic and preventative care. Patients are medically screened upon entry into the system. Depending on their health needs, patients may be referred for further services. Mental Health Services includes crisis intervention, psychotropic medication management, individual counseling, and referral of inmates with needs beyond those that can be provided onsite. Dental services are also available and include immediate access for urgent or painful dental conditions, education and instruction in oral hygiene, and preventative care. MEDICAL ADMISSIONS
TOTAL MEDICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, DENTAL VISITS 106,934
118,690
112,240
109,933
2017 109,939
113,936
115,494
2019
2020
108,673
113,742
116,746
2017 Total Admissions
447,833
QTR 1 QTR 2 QTR 3 QTR 4
108,464
2018
369
447,797
82
77,391
91,490
86,172
QUARTER 2
QUARTER 3
QUARTER 4
371
86
99
97
89
QTR 1 QTR 2 QTR 3 QTR 4
404
MEDICAL PRESCRIPTIONS ADMINISTERED BY NURSES
2019 Total Admissions
96
46,567
2017
87
2018 Total Admissions
355,339 QUARTER 1
97
105,249 444,410
100,286
103
106
107
95
QTR 1 QTR 2 QTR 3 QTR 4
11,614
514
45,565
2018
11,586
2020 Total Admissions 43,669
2019
12,494
97
84
155
178
QTR 1 QTR 2 QTR 3 QTR 4 36,455
2020
9,345
TOTAL PRESCRIPTIONS ADMINISTERED
PSYCHIATRIC PRESCRIPTIONS ADMINISTERED
TOTAL INMATES ON MEDICATIONS
17,681 in 2017
21,732 in 2018
22,234 in 2019
18,435 in 2020
OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW 27
MAJOR EVENTS & CASES
Sheriff Gualtieri speaks at a press conference following the reopening of the beaches on May 4, 2020.
COVID-19 RESPONSE On March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization officially categorized the spread of COVID-19 as a pandemic. Following that declaration and an increasing rate of infection in the county, the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) declared a Local State of Emergency (Resolution 20-16) two days later on March 13th. Their action set in motion a series of events that significantly changed the way we do business internally and out in the community. (COVID-19 RESPONSE CONTINUED ON PAGE 29) 28 PINELLAS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
(COVID-19 RESPONSE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28)
MAJOR EVENTS & CASES: DNA COLD CASE
The first notable changes in response to the pandemic were
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Unit
internal. Deputies were issued personal protection equipment,
successfully utilized the Florida Department of Law
sanitizing stations were set up for all patrol vehicles, and
Enforcement’s (FDLE) genetic genealogy investigations
symptom screenings were conducted at the entrance to all
program to solve two sexual assaults that were decades
PCSO facilities. Deputies would no longer respond in person
old. Genetic genealogy provides leads to investigators
to certain calls for service if they could be handled over the
based on DNA matches to relatives found in public
phone, and all law enforcement agencies across the county
genealogy databases.
were encouraged to utilize notices to appear or employ existing diversion programs to keep the jail population to a
In the most recent case, a detective reviewed a sexual
minimum. Additionally, Sheriff Gualtieri coordinated with
battery case that occurred in September of 1988 to
other components of the criminal justice system, like the State
determine if evidence once unsuitable for testing
Attorney’s Office, to expedite the disposition of lesser offenses.
could now yield a DNA profile. The case involved an unidentified male in his mid-twenties that entered a
A significant increase in COVID-19 cases in Broward and
St. Petersburg gift shop, ordered a 50-year-old victim
Miami-Dade counties during Spring Break were being
into a back room of the store, and sexually battered her
associated with large crowds on the beaches. With Spring
at knifepoint. Evidence was collected during the initial
Break around the corner in Pinellas County, the beaches
investigation, but no suspects were ever identified.
became a point of contention. The BCC voted to close
Eight years later, investigators were able to develop a
Pinellas County beaches for two weeks beginning March
male DNA profile from the evidence, but there were no
20th and passed the “Safer At Home” order on March 25th.
matches found.
Hundreds of deputies participated in the initial beach closure and the distribution of notices to thousands of businesses
In February 2019, detectives received approval from
across the county.
the FDLE Familial Search Review Committee to expand the DNA search to possible family members of the
As the BCC began to consider the reopening of the beaches,
suspect. In September, detectives were notified that a
there was concern about overcrowding. Sheriff Gualtieri
convicted offender in the database was a direct male
proposed a “Beach Capacity Dashboard” that would provide
relative of the unidentified DNA suspect profile. This
real-time updates on capacity at all county beaches so that
new information led investigators to 54-year-old Larry
beachgoers could practice social distancing effectively. The
Eugene Gould who was residing in Tennessee. With the
web-based program was created in just a few days by the
help of local police and the District Attorney’s Office, a
Information Technology Bureau with assistance from the
DNA sample was collected from Gould and sent to the
Patrol Operations Bureau and the Public Relations Bureau.
FDLE for testing.
The dashboard was active for the first few weekends following the beach reopening and was operated live by
Gould’s DNA matched the previously unidentified
agency personnel at a command center. Updates were routed
DNA profile collected during the initial investigation
to the command center by deputies that were stationed at
back in 1988. On January 10, 2020, Gould was taken
every beach access point and parking area along the coast.
into custody and charged with one count of Armed Sexual Battery.
Social media remained a powerful tool for the PCSO to communicate updates and information about the
The use of genetic genealogy helps keep our community
pandemic. Sheriff Gualtieri teamed up with Pinellas County
safe by taking suspects off the streets, and more
Administrator Barry Burton for a weekly, interactive question
importantly, bringing justice that was, in this case,
and answer session live on Facebook. To reach young
a long-time coming.
children unable to be in school, dozens of agency members volunteered to read children’s books that were recorded and shared on social media. MAJOR EVENTS & CASES 29
Sergeant Maurice McCloud of the Crime Prevention & Community Awareness Unit wears a body-worn camera for the first time at the start of the field trial on October 28, 2020.
NEW INITIATIVES BODY CAMERA IMPLEMENTATION In October of 2020, Sheriff Gualtieri announced that the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) was going to implement body-worn cameras. Concerns about the cameras once held by the sheriff were alleviated by significant improvements to the technology and thoughtful feedback from the community in support of the cameras. The sheriff launched a field trial program on October
a deputy unholsters their firearm, turns on their TASER,
28, 2020 composed of 30 deputies assigned to different
or they are within a set vicinity of other deputies up to 30
areas of the agency to work out any logistical or technical
seconds after they trigger their cameras. For example, if a
issues before outfitting all law enforcement deputies.
deputy arrives at an incident and draws his or her firearm
Implementing the program will cost approximately
or turns on the TASER, the cameras of any deputies that
$25 million over the next six years, but the contract is
arrive within 30 seconds will automatically activate. Body
comprehensive and cost-effective. The contract, awarded
cameras must be activated manually for all other events,
to Axon, includes all the necessary equipment and data
and there is a set policy and procedure for when cameras
management support to equip more than 800 deputies with
should and should not be activated.
body cameras. Additionally, the dash-mounted cameras installed in nearly 600 patrol vehicles will eventually be
Any new technology or process necessitates constant
replaced with an Axon product for additional integration.
evaluation and adjustment, but the body-worn program is here to stay at the PCSO. The technology will ultimately
The cameras are mounted to the chest area with a magnetic
serve as piece of mind for deputies and the community in
mounting system. They are automatically activated when
our current climate.
USE OF DEADLY FORCE TASK FORCE In the wake of the unrest following the murder of George Floyd, Sheriff Gualtieri successfully engaged local agency partners to create the Pinellas County Use of Deadly Force Investigative Task Force. The effort addresses concern about the perception of agencies investigating their own deadly force incidents. The PCSO, St. Petersburg Police Department (SPPD), and Clearwater Police Department (CPD) each contribute three detectives to the task force, and the Pinellas Park Police Department (PPPD) contributes one. Other departments are able to join but are not required to contribute additional detectives.
Per the detailed agreement, PCSO deputy-involved
policies, the task force will conduct a criminal investigation
shootings are investigated by the SPPD or CPD depending
and present their findings to the agency that employs the
on where it occurs, and the PCSO is responsible for all
officer involved. The task force has the ability to bring
other investigations. The agreement also encompasses
criminal charges against an officer if it determines that their
details like forensic science resources, the release of
actions violated the law when using force. Their criminal
information, reporting requirements, and costs associated
investigation and conclusions are independent of the State
with the investigation.
Attorney’s Office determination.
While respective agencies are responsible for determining whether or not their members’ actions violated their own
NEW INITIATIVES 31
Members of the North District Community Policing Unit salute health care workers at Mease Countryside Hospital on April 20, 2020.
UPDATES ON CURRENT INITIATIVES MENTAL HEALTH UNIT EXPANSION The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) responds to about 5,000 mental health-related calls a year, and approximately 11,000 Baker Acts are initiated annually in Pinellas County. Although 50% of these Baker Acts are completed by law enforcement, deputies are not the most qualified to determine an adequate response to a mental health problem. In 2016, the PCSO created the Mental Health Unit to help
The sheriff’s office provides referrals to the PIC Team and
reduce the number of Baker Acts and arrests related to mental
the system coordinators assist individuals with navigating
health issues. It was just the beginning of a long-term effort
the behavioral health system and connect them with
to assist individuals who suffer from mental illnesses and
services. Since inception, the PIC Team has provided
prevent them from entering the criminal justice system.
case management to about 350 people, with 70-90 people receiving mental health services from them at
Initially, the Mental Health Unit was based on a co-
any given time.
response model where a deputy and mental health professional responded to active calls that included a
After a dedicated analysis on the effectiveness of the
mental health issue and followed up with individuals who
Mental Health Unit, Sheriff Bob Gualtieri determined the
were Baker Acted. Upon evaluating the pilot program, the
unit needed to be expanded by adding more deputies and
unit was transformed and became a case management
hiring licensed mental health professionals to serve as
function. Instead of responding to active calls, the unit
crisis response specialists.
followed up with people who were either recently Baker Acted or experienced a mental health-related emergency.
Each team, made up of a deputy and crisis response specialist, will respond to in-progress 9-1-1 calls that
Between 2016 and 2018, the Mental Health Unit contacted
involve a mental health-related issue. Two of the six teams
160 people a month for follow-up services. Even though
will be dedicated to conducting follow-up with the people
the system was effective, it still lacked referrals to a true
in need of services. The response teams will work between
case management entity that could establish long-term
noon and midnight, Monday through Friday, which are peak
solutions for the patients.
periods for mental health-related calls.
By July 2018, the sheriff’s office helped form the Pinellas
This expanded co-response approach, in addition to the
Integrated Care Alliance and the Pinellas Integrated Care
current collaborated efforts with the PIC Team, will allow
(PIC) Team, which is staffed with eight case managers from
deputies to focus on doing what they do best--protecting
BayCare Health System, Personal Enrichment Through
and serving the public.
Mental Health Services (PEMHS), Directions for Living, and the Suncoast Center.
UPDATES ON CURRENT INITIATIVES 33
UPDATES ON CURRENT INITIATIVES ADULT PRE-ARREST DIVERSION One bad decision can impact a person’s life negatively
2016, more than 5,500 people successfully completed the
forever–but it doesn’t have to. Since October 2016, the
program, served 107,957 community service hours, and
Adult Pre-Arrest Diversion (APAD) program diverts
paid $85,789.46 in restitution.
individuals who commit certain eligible misdemeanor offenses from the criminal justice system.
The community service aspect of the APAD program supports non-profit organizations in Pinellas County
Sheriff Bob Gualtieri created APAD to not only save
because they get the help they need instead of having to
taxpayers and the sheriff’s office money, but also help the
use resources or hired help. Individuals in the program can
community, and influence Pinellas County citizens to make
mow a church’s lawn, pick up trash, or stock the shelves of
better decisions.
a food pantry. Many times people in the program want to give back to organizations that helped them in the past as a
Minor offenses such as possession of marijuana,
way to pay it forward.
trespassing, petty theft, and public intoxication may be eligible for APAD. A person with little to no criminal history
Coming in contact with law enforcement does not mean
can avoid sitting in jail awaiting a trial that is often dropped
someone is going to jail. APAD helps those who make
and instead do community service and pay restitution
one mistake not ruin their future, and it gives them the
to the victim. For example, if a person steals food from a
opportunity to correct their behavior. PCSO is doing
grocery store, the individual could pay for the cost of the
everything law enforcement can to help people learn to
sandwich, serve at a soup kitchen for 24 hours, and avoid
make better decisions and keep them out of the criminal
being arrested altogether. Since the inception of APAD in
justice system.
FOUR-YEAR ACCEPTANCE DATA
TOP 5 ELIGIBLE OFFENSES
2,315 Rejected
1,443 Accepted
2017
3,758 Total 1,289 Rejected
1,118 1,542 POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA 742 1,782 RETAIL THEFT
1,451 Accepted
2018
2,740 Total 1,363 Rejected
2019
2,206
1,027 Accepted 2,390 Total
1,286 Rejected
2020
441 395 PETIT THEFT
633 Accepted 1,919 Total
TOTAL REJECTED
96 TRESPASSING
624 49 DISORDERLY INTOXICATION
TOTAL ACCEPTED
INELIGIBLE
ACCEPTED
FOUR-YEAR COMPLETION RATES
1,443
1,451
1,027
633
70%
70%
70%
64%
2017 Total Accepted SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION
2018 Total Accepted
34 PINELLAS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION
2019 Total Accepted SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION
2020 Total Accepted SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION
UPDATES ON CURRENT INITIATIVES HABITUAL OFFENDER MONITORING ENFORCEMENT TASK FORCE In Pinellas County, some juvenile offenders get stuck in the cycle of criminal activity and incarceration. It can be hard for them to change their habits on their own. That is why the Habitual Offender Monitoring Enforcement (HOME) Task Force works hard to help these chronic juvenile offenders break the cycles of crime and create better lifestyles. The HOME Task Force was created in 2016 as a response
The HOME Task Force not only reduces the opportunities
to a surge of vehicle burglaries and motor vehicle thefts by
for juveniles to commit new delinquent acts, but also
juvenile offenders. Its mission is to bring a positive cultural
quickly solves cases by becoming familiar with the chronic
change of responsibility among juveniles and provide
offenders and identifying them while reviewing video
intensive supervision and intervention of chronic offenders
surveillance.
to divert their behavior and prevent further victimization of citizens.
Some of the crucial factors that initiate change include establishing positive role models, and offering
The multijurisdictional team includes law enforcement
comprehensive navigation services through the
officers throughout Pinellas County and juvenile electronic
partnership with Personal Enrichment through Mental
monitoring specialists who work together with parents and
Health Services (PEMHS).
community leaders to keep juvenile offenders accountable for their actions.
The HOME Task Force members share the same focus on keeping the community safe and work diligently to stay
The HOME Task Force conducts compliance checks by
aware of the criminal juvenile population and their ability
visiting the juveniles and their families, serving search
to commit new crimes, as well as encourage them to make
warrants on social media accounts and cellular devices,
positive lifestyle changes.
and using investigative techniques to locate firearms, narcotics, and wanted juveniles. The team also meets with local and state agencies to discuss crime trends and active cases involving juvenile suspects.
HOME INTENSIVE SUPERVISION DATA
The graphic below depicts the number of felonies committed during the calendar year when the group of juveniles were monitored by HOME compared to the year prior without supervision. 2018 IDENTIFIED JUVENILES (32 TOTAL) 2017 FELONIES 2018 NEW FELONIES
216 56
2019 SUPERVISED JUVENILES
143
62% Decrease
54
in New Felonies
2020 IDENTIFIED JUVENILES (25 TOTAL) 2019 FELONIES 2020 NEW FELONIES
165 61 TOTAL FELONIES
NEW FELONIES
74% Decrease in New Felonies
2019 IDENTIFIED JUVENILES (34 TOTAL) 2018 FELONIES 2019 NEW FELONIES
2018 SUPERVISED JUVENILES
2020 SUPERVISED JUVENILES
62% Decrease in New Felonies
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office 10750 ULMERTON ROAD LARGO, FL 33778 (727) 582-6200 www.pcsoweb.com
“Leading The Way For A Safer Pinellas” 06/21