Sarasota Police Department

Chief Bernadette DiPino is currently the Chief of the Sarasota Police Department. Chief DiPino is a 2001 graduate of the F.B.I.’s National Academy, an appointee to the Executive Committee of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and a member of the I.A.C.P. Foundation Board and represents the State of Florida Chiefs at the I.A.C.P. State Association of Chiefs of Police (SACOP). She is a past President of the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association and was appointed by the Governor to serve on the Maryland Police Training Commission.

During her distinguished career, she received numerous Departmental awards and citations; and has been recognized as Police Officer of the Year in 1987, 1993 and 1997.

Chief DiPino was appointed as Chief of Police of the Sarasota Police Department on December 31, 2012. Chief DiPino began her career as a Police Officer with the Baltimore County Police in September 1985. In April 1998, Chief DiPino joined the Police Department for the Town of Ocean City, Maryland where she rose through the ranks from Narcotics Detective to Chief of Police; a position she held for nearly 10 years.

The Chief of Police is the executive officer of the Sarasota Police Department and is ultimately responsible for decisions regarding policy, enforcement and use of resources in conjunction with the City Manager and the City Commission. The Chief maintains command authority over all department employees, both sworn and civilian. Her office support staff consists of one full-time executive assistant and one part-time administrative specialist. The Office of the Chief of Police includes:

• Office of Administrative Captain - which oversees various administrative aspects of the department.
• Planning and Inspections Unit - which oversees policy changes and resource allotment.
• Internal Affairs and Complaints (IAC) Section - which oversees any and all allegations of police misconduct and complaints filed on officers.

The primary function of the Criminal Investigation Division is to conduct follow-up investigations of reported crimes. These investigations consist of interviewing suspects, victims and witnesses; analyzing information for validity, reliability and accuracy and compiling a comprehensive and factual case file to be presented in court.

The Support Services Division oversees Training, Background and Recruitment, Property and Evidence, Records, MIS (Management Information Systems), Alarms, Payroll and Personnel, Fiscal and Administration, Fleet, Red Light Camera Program, School Crossing Guards and Quartermaster.

The Patrol Division is commanded by one Captain and one Deputy Commander who holds the rank of Lieutenant. Uniform Patrol Operations, Special Response Units, Crime Prevention and the Sarasota P.D. Volunteer Program are under the Bureau of Patrol Operations.

The department currently owns two Yellowfin boats to provide service to those in Sarasota Bay. The traffic unit has 4 Harley-Davidson police motorcycles, and each traffic officer is provided with a patrol car. The department uses Chevrolet Impala police model and Chevy Tahoe police model.

The department issues Glock 22, .40 caliber handguns to all sworn officers.