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"SWAT Team members go above and beyond what is expected of a normal deputy," SWAT Team leader, Corporal Joshua Jones, said. "Out of about 3,000 members of the agency and 800 sworn, only 24 people are full-time members of SWAT. That's less than one percent of the agency. When people try out, it's something to be said that they have chosen to dedicate their time to be on this team."
Corporal Jones, who has been a member of the SWAT Team for 10 years, says that even though SWAT members are considered part of the elite in law enforcement, they are still constantly learning. One of the main qualities they look for in a team member is the ability to continually learn, adapt, and respond to unique and difficult circumstances quickly.
The SWAT Team comprises members from different areas of the sheriff's office, such as the Patrol Operations Bureau, Homicide Unit, and Training Division. Every month, members complete a 12-hour training together and a four-hour range practice. But once a year, they come together for SWAT week, which is a five-day intensive training consisting of physical and tactical training, mock call-outs, and role-play drills.
Deputy Johnny Willmore, who is the assistant sniper team leader, was in the United States Marine Corps before he came to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.
"Being in SWAT is like having a strong support group," he said. "We help each other out in different parts of life. It's like a brotherhood, and that's what I was missing when I left the Marine Corp. In SWAT, we are a tight-knit group."
Deputy Willmore added that he gets to do a lot of exciting things that the typical deputy doesn't, like jumping off a boat that is speeding in the water, repelling off of high buildings, and shooting a sniper riffle from a tower at 500 yards.
"It has been fun seeing the team day after day," Deputy Willmore said recently during SWAT week. "It builds the team up and makes us stronger. It brings out our deficiencies so that we can fix those problems permanently."
Deputy William Angus, who has been on SWAT for three years and is a sniper, repel master, and operator, said that they all have the common goal that at the end of the day, if the worst of the worst happens in our area, they want to be the men and women the sheriff calls on to fix the ultimate problem.
"We all want to be on this team and be that last phone call that the sheriff has to make to be ready to go and take care of the toughest situations," he said. "We work hard and take care of each other; it's a great team to be on."
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| Criminal Justice Scholarship Assists Students |
Ever since Lauren Styles was eight years old, she wanted to work in law enforcement. Growing up in a tumultuous household, she felt that a career in criminal justice would give her a worthy purpose.
After graduating high school, Styles moved from Ocala to St. Petersburg to follow her dreams and attend the Pinellas County Law Enforcement Academy. While studying at the Southeastern Public Safety Institute at St. Petersburg College, Styles heard the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office presentation about the Criminal Justice Scholarship Program, which awards $1,000 to a student studying criminal justice.
 Since Styles did not have financial support to help her pay for the academy and was working weekends at a restaurant to make ends meet, she applied.
When Styles won the scholarship, she was overjoyed. "The scholarship made a huge difference in my life and helped me accomplish my goals," she said. "I feel very blessed to have received the scholarship."
Styles completed the academy and is currently an officer at the Treasure Island Police Department.
"I love my job, and I couldn't have gotten to where I am today without the help of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office," she said.
If you are currently enrolled in school, studying any discipline within the field of criminal justice, enrolled in a regionally accredited law enforcement academy, or a member of a law enforcement explorer program seeking to enroll in eligible courses to prepare for a career in criminal justice, you are eligible for the Criminal Justice Scholarship Program.
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| Spring Break Safety Tips 2019 |
Spring break is always a fun and exciting time for students, as well as families and friends who take a vacation. However, safety still needs to be a top priority amidst all of the festivities. Watch this video, which includes tips from our Crime Prevention and Community Awareness Unit, Community Policing Unit, Marine Unit, and DUI Unit.
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| Community Grant Application |
The Pinellas County Sheriff's Advisory Board Community Grant Program funds local initiatives which serve our youth and provide a service or fulfill a need. Individual grants will be awarded up to $1,000 per program, for a total disbursement of $10,000 in May 2019. The Sheriff's Advisory Board Executive Committee will review the applications and decide which programs will receive a Community Grant.
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"This bi-weekly newsletter is another step in my effort to give interested residents the most up-to-date information about services and programs here, at the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. I value your feedback and look forward to continuing our dialogue about public safety."
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The Sheriff's Main Office
10750 Ulmerton Road
Largo, FL 33778
The Sheriff's North District Office
2496 Bayshore Boulevard
Dunedin, FL 34698
For Non-Emergencies
(727) 582-6200
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Dental Assistant
General Description:
Under the general supervision of the managing dentist, this position assists the dentist during examination
and treatment of inmates in a correctional setting. Position also addresses inmate's dental complaints,
schedules appointments, etc. Work is reviewed through observation and results obtained.
Key Qualifications
:
-High school graduate or equivalent diploma.
-Successful completion of an expanded duty course or program as part of the regular curriculum at a school of dentistry, dental hygiene, or dental assisting accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation or any other nationally recognized accrediting agency.
-Valid CPR - BLS or ACLS Certification.
Must possess a valid Florida driver's license.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
-Ability to work independently on complex and confidential tasks and to maintain
medical confidentiality and security of health records and medical information.
-Ability to interact and communicate effectively and courteously with co-workers,
inmates, other agencies and the public.
-Ability to perform all functions of the job classification without posing a direct threat to
the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.
For further details about the dental assistant, see the full job description here.
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