Issue 2: April - June 2018 IN THIS ISSUE:
Agency Awards Ceremony .........2 Riding For Those Who Can’t .......3 Award Winners ...............................4-7 Benefits Corner ................................8 HR Worskshop Opportunities....8 PCS “Ole” Days ..................................9 Transitions In Troops .....................10-11 Feasting For Funds .........................12 Movin’ On Up ....................................13 Digging In ........................................14 Chili Cook-Off Entry Form ...........15 Department Spotlight ..................16
Aligning with National Police Week, the Pinellas County Sheriff ’s Office hosted the Annual Pinellas County Fallen Officer Memorial event Wednesday, May 9th, in the Sheriff ’s Administration Building courtyard. When Emcee Assistant Chief Deputy Sean Jowell began the ceremony, calling upon Chaplain John Ekers to lead the invocation, about 150 law enforcement officers, supporters, and elected officials in the tented crowd bowed their heads. Sheriff Bob Gualtieri introduced the keynote speaker, Florida State Senator Darryl Rouson. “I am honored and pleased to have been asked to share this most somber and poignant memorial service,” Senator Rouson began, as he attributed his respect for law enforcement officers to his multiple summers interning with the St. Petersburg Police Department.
What is the PCSO’s newest civil unit? The answer is on page 16.
“I got to know that officers were human,” he said. “That they had families. They had concerns. And most of all, they were answering with courage this call to duty.” Our honor guard was joined by honor guard members from other local agencies to present the colors and a floral wreath. Continuing with tradition, the memorial also included a 21-gun salute, “Taps,” Deputy Ashley Hunt’s bagpipe rendition of “Amazing Grace,” a PCSO helicopter flyover, and a slow, solemn reading of the 25 names of Pinellas County law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our safety. “There’s a calling on the lives of those who serve,” Senator Rouson said. “There’s a calling to be righteous, to be just, to be firm but fair. And when duty calls, these men and women must set aside prejudices to answer the call with courage. Let us always remember the life – the sacrifice of the officer down.”
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We Remember .................................1
Issue 2: April - June 2018
Annual Agency
Reserve Deputy of the Year Reserve Deputy Dan Zsido
Jacqueline “Jackie� C. Clement Award Senior Administrative Assistant Michele Tipton
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Detention Deputy of the Year Sergeant Doug Hayward
Support Person of the Year Grant Specialist Lisa Carrillo
Forensic Science Specialist of the Year Forensic Science Specialist Rhonda Klein
Law Enforcement Deputy of the Year Sergeant Jon Tobeck
Riding for Those Who Can’t
The fund’s primary function is to maintain the National Law Enforcement Museum and to develop programs to strengthen officer safety. While he wouldn’t have considered cycling a true hobby of his at the time, in February 2016, a S.W.A.T. Team training left Jacek with an injury to his calf muscle that prevented him from running. So, he dusted off his old Trek bicycle to keep up his cardio. To his surprise, he enjoyed it. He barely secured one of the about 270 available spots on the Tour, being bumped from the wait list just a few months before the event. In 2017, Jacek rode in honor of Hillsborough County Deputy John Robert Kotfila, Jr., who was the nephew of retired PCSO Corporal Bobby Cahoon. “Due to the connection to our agency, I was able to experience in more detail the effect the Police Unity Tour and its members have on the surviving family members,” Jacek said. “Simply put, it cannot be described in words.”
Despite it being the coldest, wettest event in the chapter’s history, the crowds of people pausing their everyday lives to line the streets and cheer on the cyclists was rewarding enough to spur Jacek to register again in 2018. During opening ceremonies this year, Jacek received a plaque on behalf of Sheriff Bob Gualtieri for his generous support of the Police Unity Tour. The ride started in Portsmouth, Virginia, and ended at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. This year, the names of 135 law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty were added to the memorial wall. In addition, 225 newly discovered historical names were added to this year’s “roll call.” This year, Jacek rode in honor of Kissimmee Police Department Sergeant Richard Samuel Howard III and Officer Scott Baxter, who both lost their lives in August 2017. When he reached the finish line at the National Law Enforcement Memorial wall, Jacek presented Sergeant Howard’s surviving wife and daughter with the commemorative bracelets he carried throughout the tour. “The people I’ve met because of the Tour – whether it be other participants, the survivors riding with us, or the ones I helped escort to the sitting area of the Candlelight Vigil – all have made a great impact in my life.”
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For the second consecutive year, Deputy Jacek Szymanski participated in the Chapter VIII Police Unity Tour, a 3-day, 250mile bicycle ride to honor and raise public awareness for law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty and to raise money for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.
Issue 2: April - June 2018
Congratulations to the members who were recognized by community groups.
Sheriff’s Volunteer Patrol Member Mike Sosslau, PCSO Lifetime Achievement Award: The President’s Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have contributed more than 4,000 volunteer hours in their lifetime, which in itself, is commendable. However, Sheriff’s Volunteer Patrol Member Mike Sosslau went so above and beyond this criterion, the Sheriff’s Office decided to create a new award just for him. Thus, at the PCSO’s Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon Tuesday, April 10th, Mike received the first ever PCSO Lifetime Achievement Award for having volunteered more than 10,000 hours of service.
Deputy John Patrick, Abuse, Neglect, Dependency, and Prevention (AND) Committee, 2018 Community Champion Award: Of the many roles that Deputy John Patrick has filled during his more than 30 years at the Sheriff’s Office, he finds his current position as the first and only community outreach liaison for the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office to be the most rewarding. Among his many responsibilities, John is a member of both the Juvenile Welfare Board Mid-County and South County community councils and the advisory boards of Empath Health, Pinellas County Urban League, and the Florida Dream Center. He has been a volunteer mentor with Pinellas County Schools and the Lunch Pals program, as well as in the Poynter Institute’s “The Write Field” organization. He is also a board member for the Men in the Making mentoring organization and serves as an ordained deacon at the Rock of Jesus Missionary Baptist Church. In these roles, he contributes to AND’s mission of making the community a safer place for families through education, support, awareness, and advocacy, for which he received the 2018 Community Champion Award. Brenda Lightfoot, Florida Government Finance Officers Association, Certified Government Finance Officer of the Year: The Certified Government Finance Officer certification is earned by passing a five-part exam that covers accounting and financial reporting, municipal budgeting, treasury management, debt administration, and financial administration. Its goal is to encourage a high level of knowledge and professionalism in the field of government finance. Not only did Fiscal Manager Brenda Lightfoot pass all five of the very challenging exams, she also earned the highest average score of the year and was named Certified Government Finance Officer of the Year.
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Deputy Johnathan Harr, Safety Harbor VFW Post #10093, 2017 Deputy of the Year Award: In July 2017, Deputy Johnathan Harr responded to a “shots fired” call at a restaurant on McMullen Booth Road. Upon his arrival, Johnathan spoke to witnesses who said that two men had been in the parking lot prepping one another, entered the restaurant, then ran out of the building in different directions, followed by another man who chased them, shot toward one of them, and fled via car. With only one witness to the shooting, no paper trail from the suspect’s dinner, and a very common suspect name, Johnathan had virtually no information about the victims or the suspect at this point in the investigation. However, throughout the next several weeks, Johnathan managed to find and interview more witnesses, obtain the name of the shooter’s friend, locate him in a law enforcement database, and finally identify the shooter and his getaway car via Facebook. The man was arrested and is awaiting formal charges by the State Attorney’s Office. In recognition of his diligence and resourceful investigative techniques in this case, Johnathan received the Safety Harbor VFW Post #10093 2017 Deputy of the Year Award.
Youth Intervention Specialist Linda Cooke, Central Pinellas Chamber of Commerce, Inspire Award: In February 2013, Linda Cooke joined the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Juvenile Diversion Program, which works in partnership with Juvenile Arbitration, as the youth intervention specialist. In this specialized capacity, Linda’s primary function is to identify offenders whose charges qualify for a diversion program, meet with juveniles and their parents, and determine the appropriate consequences to satisfy the crime victim while, more importantly, providing a life-changing impact on the juvenile’s future behavior. This is not a simple task. Linda’s passion and devotion has had a direct impact on each child’s respect for law enforcement. As many who know her will attest, Linda has been involved in the development of the PCSO Diversion Program and the ongoing evolution of juvenile justice processes for many years. She is the subject-matter expert in this area, not only locally but across the state and country as well. Her devotion to and passion for this program and the young people it touches cannot be measured. For these reasons and more, Linda received the Central Pinellas Chamber of Commerce Inspire Award.
Corporal Amanda Grissinger, Sons of the American Revolution St. Petersburg Chapter Law Enforcement Commendation Award: Corporal Amanda Grissinger received the Sons of the American Revolution St. Petersburg Chapter’s Law Enforcement Commendation Award for her calmness under pressure and reliance on her law enforcement training to save multiple lives. In June 2017, Amanda responded to a reported overdose in St. Petersburg. When she arrived, she found a subject attempting to administer CPR on the victim, who was on the ground, unresponsive and not breathing with a faint pulse. Recognizing the subject was not properly conducting CPR, she immediately took over and continued for about two minutes before EMS arrived. Less than two months later, Amanda was the second deputy to respond to the scene of another case involving an unconscious person. The first deputy had begun to administer CPR chest compressions on a woman who was not breathing and whose skin had turned blue. Amanda jumped to action, counting chest compressions while holding the victim’s airway open. In both cases, not only did Amanda quickly assess the situation and surmise the proper response, she also maintained her composure during the high-stress scenario with other people’s lives on the line, reviving them both.
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Issue 2: April - June 2018 Detective Nelson De Leon, ASIS International Florida West Coast Chapter, 2018 Law Enforcement Officer Excellence in Performance Award: As a Crimes Against Children Unit detective in 2015, Detective Nelson De Leon was assigned two sexual battery investigations that finally came to conclusion in 2017. In one case, the 5-yearold victim was transported to the emergency room after her 42-year-old uncle committed multiple sex acts on her over time. When the uncle fled to Mexico, Nelson contacted him and convinced him to surrender to the FBI, and he was extradited to the United States. In an interview, Nelson got the uncle to confess to the sexual battery allegations and arrested the man on two counts of Capital Sexual Battery on a Child Under 12, for which he was sentenced to 30 years in prison. In the second case, a 13-year-old’s father forced her to perform sexual acts with him, gave her $70, and told her not to tell anyone. He, too, fled to Mexico but was arrested due to Nelson’s coordination with the FBI. The suspect refused to speak in his interview and is awaiting trial for one count of Sexual Battery and one count of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation charges. It’s because of Nelson’s hard work and dedication to these complicated and lengthy cases that he was awarded the ASIS International Florida West Coast Chapter’s 2018 Law Enforcement Officer Excellence in Performance Award. Deputy Colin Roper, Dunedin-Clearwater Elks Lodge #1525 Deputy of the Year Award: In August 2017, a man wandering around a Walgreens store suddenly jumped over the pharmacy counter, pulled what appeared to be a semi-automatic pistol from his waistband, and demanded employees remove two and a half boxes of Fentanyl transdermal patches from secured cabinets. He took them and fled. Deputy Colin Roper was one of many patrol deputies called to set up a perimeter to locate the suspect, who had driven away in a silver Chevrolet Trailblazer. Through various investigative techniques, Colin obtained the vehicle’s license plate number and discovered that the vehicle was linked to two previous cases involving the same man, who matched the description of the pharmacy robbery suspect. Colin located the vehicle owner’s address and began surveillance while detectives investigated the case. Once detectives established probable cause, Colin approached the suspect, demanding he get on the ground. He immediately complied, and Colin took him into custody without incident. Deputy Roscoe Dobson, Congressman Gus Bilirakis 12th Congressional District, First Responder of the Year Award: Deputy Roscoe Dobson was selected for this award for his part in locating and apprehending a violent, armed fugitive. In September 2017, as the PCSO representative on the U.S. Marshal Regional Fugitive Task Force (USMRFTF), Roscoe and other Task Force members waited in the driveway of a fugitive who was wanted on multiple warrants for Capital Sexual Battery of a Child: his daughter. When the fugitive tried to flee, Roscoe and team followed until he finally pulled over. However, as USMRFTF members approached his vehicle, he began shooting at them. Fearing for his life and his team members’ lives, Roscoe returned fire and subdued the suspect. He was recognized for his heroic action under extreme pressure. Corporal Tom Goldberg, American Legion Post #238, Deputy of the Year Award: On Tuesday, April 10th, Corporal Tom Goldberg was presented with the American Legion Post #238 Deputy of the Year Award. As a Community Policing deputy, Tom acts as a liaison between the Sheriff’s Office and the citizens of Safety Harbor. He maintains a close, ongoing relationship with citizens and local organizations like Neighborhood Watch groups, elementary schools, and the American Legion. He exhibits outstanding leadership in his role and an unwavering dedication to the Safety Harbor community.
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Corporal John Tournai, Bright Star Detention Deputy of the Quarter Award: Corporal John Tournai is consistently one of the strongest performers on any shift. He takes his job seriously and always puts safety and security above all else. As a supervisor, John brings new ideas to the table and is always looking for ways to better the shift and division. John supervises the Disciplinary Confinement Wing of South Division (Delta), which is one of the highest-liability areas in the jail. His even temperament and firmbut-fair approach has led to a decrease in incidents in Delta. His staff looks up to him, and he is held in the highest regard by his peers and supervisors alike. Additionally, John has been a member of the Corrections Response Team for nearly 10 years and is now a team trainer.
Sergeant Marvin Mitchell, Jr., Bright Star Law Enforcement Deputy of the Quarter Award: Sergeant Marvin Mitchell, Jr., was assigned a late-reported sexual battery investigation in January 2018. The original report came from a woman who said she was the victim of ongoing sexual abuse/battery by her father when she was a child and that her grandfather had forced her as an adult to have sexual intercourse with him. Through various investigative techniques, Marvin discovered that this woman was not the men’s only victim. The father had inappropriate sexual activity with four victims – three juveniles and one adult – and the grandfather had inappropriate sexual activity with two juveniles. The majority of the victims were in the men’s familial custodial authority at the time of the abuse. After establishing probable cause and coordinating with the Tactical Surveillance Unit, Marvin arrested and interviewed both men, who subsequently made incriminating statements and now face multiple charges. Through his tenacity and dedication, Marvin identified generations of victims and brought closure to them.
Property Clerk Supervisor Kaley Tilney, Bright Star Support Person of the Quarter Award: For the past year, Property Clerk Supervisor Kaley Tilney has put in many hours and used her expert knowledge to streamline an electronic version of the Property and Evidence Division’s Case Agent Review (CAR) process. She has worked diligently with ACISS and BTS and continues to perfect this process. In the past, Property and Evidence was printing between 1,500 and 2,000 CARs a week. All printed CARs would then need to be researched and forwarded to the assigned case agent, with no way to track receipt or status. With the new electronic CARs, the division will not only spend less time researching cases, but will also be able to track when the CARs are sent and returned. Kaley has gone above and beyond with this project and still maintains her normal duties as a supervisor for this division.
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Congratulations to all award winners!
Issue 2: April - June 2018
The 2018-2019 insurance open enrollment period is July 16-27, 2018. During this time, all full-time and part-time members must select benefits for themselves and their eligible dependents for the 2018-2019 plan year. To do so, go to SONET, hover over the PCSO APPS tab, and click EBOnline. The enrollment period is your opportunity to make changes to your health, dental, vision, and life insurance and to add or remove dependents. Due to IRS regulations, you are not permitted to modify these choices outside of the open enrollment period unless you experience a qualified family status event. The choices that you make become effective October 1, 2018. UnitedHealthcare will continue to be the claims administrator for PCSO health and vision benefits, and Delta Dental will continue to be the claims administrator for PCSO dental benefits. You will only receive a new insurance card if you change plans or dependents. Please review the 2018-2019 PCSO Member Benefits Guide, which will be mailed to your home address in early July, for detailed information about each benefit. If you have any questions about enrollment, contact Human Resources Benefits at 727-582-2835 or InsuranceBenefits@pcsonet.com.
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
The Human Resources Bureau offers wellness events, which count toward training requirements, to all active members. Examples of the online workshops: Effective Communication Financial Planning for Life Learning to Relax To view all workshops, go to SONET, hover over ”Administration,” click “Human Resources,” and select “Benefits” in the left column. If you have any questions, contact Human Resources Benefits at 727-582-2835. More professional trainings can be found under “Support,” then “Training,” then “Available Classes.”
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Sheriff Ernest Cunningham (1933-1941) was a former City of St. Petersburg commissioner. Records indicate there were fewer than 10 employees during his tenure. After his term, he became the first president of the Pinellas County Cattlemen’s Association. Next was Sheriff Todd Tucker (19411953), who served in the military during World War I and later as a St. Petersburg Police Department officer before he was elected to office. Sheriff Tucker’s platform was his zealous fight against gambling, including the removal of gumball machines, which he felt “lured pennies from children.” Considered the first sheriff to modernize the agency, Sheriff Tucker added a Central Records and Identification Bureau with full-time staffing in 1945 and a new jail in 1949. He is also credited with starting the in-car radio system. During his tenure, County Patrol members were deputized so they could conduct traffic and accident investigations with arrest powers when necessary. However, they still were not agency employees. The most infamous case during Sheriff Tucker’s term was the escape and capture of James Calvin Russell, “Rastus Russell,” from the county jail. Russell was incarcerated for murdering two men and critically injuring an infant in Crystal Beach. While in jail, Russell requested an aspirin. When the deputy opened his cell door to deliver it, Russell hit him with a pipe. During the subsequent fight, he and the deputy fell down two flights of stairs. After he fled, Russell stole a car and committed several robberies. Sheriff Tucker said it was the largest manhunt in Pinellas County since 1912. Ultimately, Russell was shot and killed in Hillsborough County after his stolen car was found in an orange grove. Still today, people remember the “Rastus Russell” case dominating the news. There was even a song written about it sung by Adrienne Young & Little Sadie. (Check it out on YouTube!)
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Information/photos provided by PCSO Archive Historian Penny Cooke.
Issue 2: April - June 2018
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.”
RETIREMENTS
LENGTH 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.
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.
MARCH 2018
APRIL 2018 Assistant Chief Deputy George Steffen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Years Major Rich Nalven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Years Sergeant Howard Skaggs. . . . . . . . . . . 30 Years Lyn Watanabe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Years Bill Schade, Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Years Deputy Nathaniel Bell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Years Corporal David Cioffi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Years Deputy Deonne Dixon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Years Chessie Landrie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Years Belinda Peters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Years Scherie Thomas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Years Deputy Matt Beery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Years Sergeant Chastity Bethel. . . . . . . . . . . 15 Years Linda Cooke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Years Deputy Barkley Daniel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Years Corporal Richard Daniels. . . . . . . . . . . 15 Years Corporal Steven Dennis. . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Years Deputy Jeremy Dressback. . . . . . . . . . 15 Years Corporal Casey Hunter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Years Deputy Christalyn Johnson. . . . . . . . . 15 Years Lieutenant Timothy Kelly. . . . . . . . . . . 15 Years Deputy Timothy Lafave. . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Years Denise Letona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Years Deputy David Logsdon. . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Years Vilma Monteros. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Years Retired Deputy Kristi Nenu. . . . . . . . . 15 Years Detective Chuck Redinger III. . . . . . . . 15 Years Deputy Frank Schiano. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Years Deputy John Sisson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Years Corporal Terry Trautman. . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Years Jody Binge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Years Lynn Castle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Years Evelyn Edwards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Years Carl Harwell, Jr.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Years Alice Hyman. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Years Jean Kastanias. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Years Siew Lung. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Years
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Arcelius Pulido. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Years Barbara Singer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Years Jeffrey Tayntor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Years Tara Trivinia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Years
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
Deputy Marcy Cantelmo retired 3/8/2018 after 13 years of service. Nanette Miller retired 3/16/2018 after 6 years of service. Deputy Lisa Duffy retired 3/17/2018 after 30 years of service. Deputy John Cascarelle retired 3/22/2018 after 21 years of service. Deputy Dana Marks retired 3/30/2018 after 23 years of service. Lyn Watanabe retired 3/31/2018 after 30 years of service. Deputy Edwin Crandall retired 3/31/2018 after 30 years of service.
APRIL 2018 Deputy Raymond Anthony, Judicial Operations Bureau - Criminal Court Squad Detective Kyle Cruise, Investigative Operations Bureau - Economic Crimes Unit Deputy Kelvin Franklin, Patrol Operations Bureau - Special Events Unit Lieutenant Cynthia Gibson, Investigative Operations Bureau - Child Protection Investigation Division Deputy Darius Hill, Patrol Operations Bureau Airport Unit Deputy Jason Jackson, Strategic Planning Bureau Deputy Kevin Lewis, Patrol Operations Bureau - North District Greg Mason, Support Services Bureau - Forensic Sciences Division Deputy Christopher Nault, Patrol Operations Bureau - North District Corporal Al Ortiz, Patrol Operations Bureau North District Deputy Timothy Skeper, Judicial Operations Bureau - Criminal Court Squad Deputy Chuck Skipper, Patrol Operations Bureau - Crime Prevention & Community Awareness Unit Sergeant Richard Trump, Patrol Operations Bureau - Marine & Environmental Lands Unit Detective Robert Weil, Investigative Operations Bureau - Burglary & Pawn Unit Deputy Hank Whitesell, Patrol Operations Bureau - Central District
APRIL 2018
Deputy Jeff Capra retired 4/2/2018 after 21 years of service. Deputy Martha Castro retired 4/2/2018 after 19 years of service. James Healy retired 4/24/2018 after 10 years of service. Mary Johnson retired 4/6/2018 after 27 years of service. Deputy Adrian Nenu retired 4/27/2018 after 30 years of service. Sergeant Tony Stevens retired 4/2/2018 after 28 years of service.
MAY 2018
Deputy Jeffrey Grant retired 5/31/2018 after 26 years of service.
NEW HIRES APRIL 2018
Michele Carter, Licensed Practical Nurse hired on 4/30/2018. Thea Dawkins, Public Records Specialist hired on 4/30/2018. Ashley Egelie, Inmate Records Specialist I hired on 4/16/2018. Part-Time Deputy Scott Enser, hired on 4/16/2018. Alfreda Gaffney, School Crossing Guard hired on 4/30/2018. Ryan Garcia, Part-Time Chaplain hired on 4/23/2018. Marissa Hoffman, C.P.I. Investigator Trainee hired on 4/20/2018. Ethan Kimble, Inmate Records Specialist I hired on 4/16/2018. Emily Mackedon, C.P.I. Investigator Trainee hired on 4/20/2018. Dawn Miller, School Crossing Guard hired on 4/30/2018. Lori Pereira, Human Resources Manager hired on 4/23/2018. Barbara Potasky, Property/Evidence Clerk hired on 4/30/2018. Jessica Ross, C.P.I. Investigator Trainee hired on 4/20/2018. Stephanie Sergent, School Crossing Guard hired on 4/16/2018. Lyndsea Smith, C.P.I. Investigator Trainee hired on 4/20/2018. Timothy VanLear, Inmate Property Clerk hired on 4/16/2018. Allea Zenoski, Inmate Records Specialist III hired on 4/23/2018.
Kristina Zingery, Administrative Assistant hired on 4/23/2018.
MAY 2018
Sharon Beardsley, School Crossing Guard hired on 5/29/2018 . Josh Berroth, Deputy Recruit hired on 5/29/2018. Derrick Boaten, Deputy Recruit hired on 5/29/2018. Dexter Chronis, Deputy Recruit hired on 5/29/2018. Janae Diebel, Deputy Recruit hired on 5/29/2018. Cheryl Dilday, Legal Secretary hired on 5/7/2018. John Drish, Deputy Recruit hired on 5/29/2018. Carlos Escudero, School Crossing Guard hired on 5/21/2018. Kathy Housley, School Crossing Guard hired on 5/29/2018. Danny Lugo Felix, Deputy Recruit hired on 5/29/2018. Marcos Martinez, Deputy Recruit hired on 5/29/2018. Cris Miller, Deputy Recruit hired on 5/29/2018. Minh Bui, Deputy Recruit hired on 5/29/2018. Yunior Montero, Deputy Recruit hired on 5/29/2018. William Morgan, Deputy Recruit hired on 5/29/2018. Quinn Morrison, Deputy Recruit hired on 5/29/2018. Joesph Navarro, Property/Evidence Clerk hired on 5/7/2018. Yandy Perez, Deputy Recruit hired on 5/29/2018. Kimberli Pierce, Court Processing Technician hired on 5/21/2018 . Loretta Pleitner, School Crossing Guard hired on 5/14/2018. Victoria Ross, Public Safety Telecommunicator hired on 5/29/2018 . Kaitlin Sherwood, Licensed Practical Nurse hired on 5/21/2018 .
Stephanie Smith, Administrative Assistant hired on 5/7/2018. Asia Snipes, Public Safety Telecommunicator hired on 5/14/2018 . Mike Williams, Deputy Recruit hired on 5/29/2018. Teresa Woube, Criminal Justice Specialist hired on 5/21/2018 . Genesis Yeargin, Deputy Recruit hired on 5/29/2018. Clyde Thornton, Deputy hired on 5/29/2018. Jared Toro, Deputy Recruit hired on 5/29/2018.
JUNE 2018
Jason Crespo, Parts Clerk hired on 3/19/2018. Carla Baker, Part-Time Criminal Justice Specialist hired on 6/4/2018. Thomasina Bowden, Juvenile Electronic Monitoring Specialist hired on 6/4/2018. Shawna Darwin, School Crossing Guard hired on 6/11/2018 . Deputy Michael Duran, hired on 6/11/2018. Dylen Fogle, Criminal Justice Specialist hired on 6/4/2018. Robert Green, Administrative Assistant hired on 6/4/2018. Bernard Hoff, School Crossing Guard hired on 6/11/2018. Courtney Holly, Criminal Justice Specialist hired on 6/4/2018. Meghan Kean, C.P.I. Investigator Trainee hired on 6/25/2018. Jenna Ketterer, C.P.I. Investigator Trainee hired on 6/25/2018 Timothy Lester, Assistant Fleet Manager hired on 6/25/2018 . Joni Levea, Inmate Records Specialist III hired on 6/4/2018. Darlene Rosario, Human Resources Specialist hired on 6/4/2018. Deputy William Schorn, hired on 6/11/2018. Honey Smith, Inmate Records Specialist III hired on 6/25/2018.
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Jean Kastanias retired 5/1/2018 after 10 years of service. Sergeant Kenneth Luth retired 5/31/2018 after 32 years of service. Deputy Kristi Nenu retired 5/2/2018 after 15 years of service. Walter Politowicz retired 5/31/2018 after 19 years of serive. David Young retired 5/25/2018 after 12 years of service.
Issue 2: April - June 2018
Feasting for Funds
We dined out, and the donation dollars flooded in!
For the 50th consecutive year, the Pinellas County Sheriff ’s Office and the Sheriff ’s Advisory Board hosted the Dine-Out Day fundraiser to raise money for the PCSO’s Explorer Post #900 program. On Wednesday, May 2nd, more than 75 local restaurants agreed to accept Dine-Out Day Dollars in lieu of U.S. currency, donating 50 percent of the day’s profit to the Explorers.
They and the 23 other members who sold $100 or more were recognized at a post-event reception, Friday, May 25th, where they received certificates and other prizes for their contributions. Thank you to all our event organizers, restaurant participants, and diners who helped make Dine-Out Day’s “golden anniversary” a success!
Dine-Out Day 2018 raised more than $16,700, which was an almost 17-percent increase from last year’s profit. In the weeks leading up to the event, every Sheriff ’s Office and Sheriff ’s Advisory Board member received a minimum of $20 worth of Dine-Out Day Dollars to use or sell to friends and family. Although some members don’t participate, others make up for it with their outstanding sales. Retiree Sue Swichtenberg, Senior Administrative Assistant Janet Nicolosi, and Deputy Bernie D’Agostino were the top three highest Dine-Out Day Dollar sellers again this year, selling $1,680, $1,250, and $475, respectively.
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Left to Right: Assistant Chief Deputy George Steffen, Deputy Bernie D’Agostino, Deputy Aly Towne, Senior Administrative Assistant Janet Nicolosi, Assistant Chief Deputy Sean Jowell and Retiree Sue Swichtenberg
This quarter, we’ve completed two major upgrades and made the moves to new North District Station (NDS) and Purchasing Warehouse locations, spearheaded by Sergeant Irene Knight and Sergeant Pauline Hawthorn, respectively. Originally announced in November 2016, the decision to relocate the former NDS building on Louden Avenue in Dunedin was based on the building’s limited space, resources, and opportunities for growth. With an initial deadline of October 1, 2017, negotiations with Joe Kokolakis Contracting, Inc., for the property at 2496 Bayshore Boulevard in Dunedin quickly commenced. At 21,496 square feet, the NDS comprises the building’s entire second floor and a portion of the first floor, where a fingerprint room, small storage space, and 24/7 front desk are located for easy community access. The second floor boasts a 50-member read-off room, two conference rooms, a CID case review room, four lieutenant offices, five interview rooms, the historian’s office, two workrooms, and a training classroom. The Sheriff ’s Office also utilizes 92 parking spaces and a 12,233-square-foot parking garage for trailer and tactical vehicle storage.
Having officially opened Tuesday, May 22nd, the North District Station also hosted an Open House event Thursday, June 28th, for local citizens, elected officials, and community leaders to see firsthand the new space and resources. Like the new NDS, the new Purchasing Warehouse is bigger and better than its predecessor. Part of the campus improvement project at the Pinellas County Jail that Moss Construction Company broke ground on in January 2017, the 63,000-square-foot Facility and Purchasing Warehouse includes 15,128 square feet for uniform and other supplies storage. The building also provides space for Pinellas County Real Estate Management, archive storage, command bus parking, facilities management operations offices, and a Corrections Response Team training area, complete with mock cells for hands-on, scenariobased training. While the overall Campus Improvement Project is still in its final stages of completion, the Purchasing Division’s April 16th move to the new warehouse – now located on the Department of Detention and Corrections Compound – marks a major milestone for the project. Want to see the new digs for yourself? Check them out: North District Station 2496 Bayshore Boulevard Dunedin, FL 34698
Facility and Purchasing Warehouse 14400 49th Street Clearwater, FL 33762
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As the Pinellas County Sheriff ’s Office’s responsibilities and employee base continue to grow, so must its infrastructure.
Issue 2: April - June 2018
Expertly investigating the body of a recently deceased person is one of PCSO forensic science specialists’ many areas of expertise. Thanks to PCSO Forensic Quality Assurance Coordinator Dr. Meredith Tise, expertly investigating the body of a not-sorecently deceased person is also being added to the list. Meredith, a forensic archaeologist who has worked recovering human remains internationally and throughout the United States, joined the Sheriff’s Office in March 2017. Part of her role has been to develop an internal training course focused on the Forensic Sciences Division’s procedures for recovering human skeletal remains both on the surface and underground. “Recovery of Human Remains” launched Wednesday, June 6th, with a class of 10 forensic science specialists and four detectives. “Our goal is to train all of our forensic science specialists in the recovery of human remains,” Meredith said. “Therefore, if or when we do encounter a crime scene involving skeletal remains or buried remains, I can conduct these recoveries with our own PCSO members who are trained and prepared for these types of cases.”
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Not only does the course prepare forensic science specialists for crime scenes involving skeletal remains and buried bodies, it educates detectives about the process and provides a networking opportunity for them to work directly with specialists outside of an active crime scene. “In the future,” Meredith said, “we would like to open this training to members from other agencies to demonstrate our skill set and the high level of qualifications we have here, at the PCSO, in the field of forensics.” “Recovery of Human Remains” is open to only forensic science specialists and Crimes Against Children Unit detectives at this time, but organizers hope to extend it to additional members in the future.
Second Annual
COOK-OFF All members are invited to participate in the second Annual PCSO Chili Cook-Off this September (date to be determined). Fill out the below form to enter, and interoffice mail/email this page to Public Relations Bureau (PRB) Senior Administrative Assistant Bess Cain, ecain@pcsonet. com. A PRB member will be in touch with competition details that will depend on the number of entries received. *Note: There is potential for multiple rounds of competition on different days if participation is high. Members – including command staff – will taste and anonymously vote on which chili really tickles their taste buds, and first, second, and third place winners will receive handcrafted trophies. So, whether your recipe is mama’s tried-and-true or a new one you didn’t get to try last winter, complete the form, heat up that stovetop, and get cookin’!
Chili Cook-Off Application
To participate in the second annual PCSO Chili Cook-Off, submit this application before August 31, 2018.
Name _______________________________________________ Position _____________________________________________ Bureau/Division ______________________________________ Name or type of chili __________________________________
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ISSUE 4 October - December 2017
DEPARTMENT SPOTLIGHT On February 14th, Nikolas Cruz shot 34 students and staff members at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, killing 17. On March 9th, Florida Governor Rick Scott signed the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act, also known as the “Risk Protection Order Act.” On April 18th, the Pinellas County Sheriff ’s Office established the Risk Protection Unit (RPU) to apply the new law as efficiently as possible and prevent a similar such massacre from happening in Pinellas County.
situation where we know firearms are involved,” Michael said. “ILP has been extremely helpful, and the information is invaluable.” Likewise, Amy receives the paperwork, which she uses to file for a temporary RPO. Once issued, RPU deputies serve the order to the subject – who is often in the Pinellas County Jail or a mental health facility – determine what weapons the subject may have, and collect them.
“The goal is to keep the citizens as safe as possible,” said then Sergeant Michael Hughey, who led the unit upon its establishment.
From there, the process continues to move quickly. Within three days of the temporary order’s issuance, a compliance hearing is scheduled to ensure the subject has surrendered everything as ordered. Then, witnesses are subpoenaed, and Amy and Heather compile as much information and evidence as possible to present at the final hearing, which takes place within 14 days of the temporary order.
The first Florida law enforcement unit dedicated entirely to serving Risk Protection Orders (RPOs), the RPU comprises the sergeant, Deputy Jason Beetz, Deputy George Leontidis, Deputy Matthew Sapanara, Associate Counsel Amy Baker, and Paralegal Heather Arbuckle.
“I always take the time to explain the law to witnesses to show them why it is so important that I have their cooperation during the process, even though it can be a burden on them,” Amy said. “I have received very positive responses to that. The community seems to feel relieved that we now have these capabilities.”
Initiated by law enforcement – usually as the result of an arrest for a crime or a Baker Act – an RPO temporarily restricts certain people who have been determined to be a threat from possessing firearms, ammunition, or concealed weapons permits.
If, at the final hearing, Amy proves the necessary statutory criteria, the court grants a final RPO for up to one year.
“The law enforcement officer looks at the totality of the incident and decides if they should file for an RPO,” Michael said. Other times, deputies provide the case to the RPU, where members then pull prior cases, interview involved parties, acquire witness statements, collect evidence to support why a person should temporarily not have access to firearms or ammunition, and complete the paperwork. Once submitted, the paperwork is sent to multiple areas, including the Intelligence Led Policing Division, which completes a three-tier research process on the subject. “The point of this information is so RPU doesn’t go blindly into a
While still in its infancy, the RPU has already seen success, having been granted final RPOs in all 49* of the petitions it has brought to final hearing thus far. “I believe whole-heartedly that this is a good law, but it isn’t perfect,” Amy said. As members have gained experience and know-how, minor adjustments have been made to the RPU and its processes. At the beginning of July, Sergeant Jason Schmittendorf took over Michael’s position heading the unit, and he is eager to get started. “I am excited and looking forward to taking over the leadership responsibility of this unit,” Jason said. *Number of final RPOs granted as of 7/2/18.
Please let us know what you think. Is there something you want to see? Is there something you want to share? Members are invited to submit articles and color photos for publication. Photos must be high resolution. Articles and photos are subject to editing. Please email your submissions to proud@pcsonet.com.
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office PAGE
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10750 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL 33778 727-582-6200 • www.pcsoweb.com