Having previously won the Florida Chapter earlier this year, Detective Rowe was entered into the international competition along with members representing over thirty chapters from around the world.Rowe was ultimately selected as the winner by a panel of industry leaders during a blind vote, whereby the nominees’ names were removed, leaving only the merits of their case work as the deciding factor.The award was presented to Detective Rowe this morning at the IAFCI International Training Conference and Exhibitor Show held in Oklahoma City.
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Law Enforcement Sarasota and Manatee Counties
Sarasota Crime Map by area: https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/fl/sarasota/crime
Sarasota County 911 Dispatch Records: https://dispatchreporting.scgov.net/Events?strAgencyID=All
Sarasota County Sheriff, Kurt A. Hoffman
https://www.sarasotasheriff.org/
Headquarters
941.861.5800 Emergency 911
Lobby hours: 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
6010 Cattleridge Blvd.
Sarasota, FL 34232
Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman is the 11th Sheriff of Sarasota County, serving since January 5, 2021. He has served our community for more than 30 years as both a prosecutor for the 12th Judicial Circuit and as the general counsel for the sheriff’s office since 2005. During his tenure at the sheriff’s office, Hoffman was promoted to Captain, Major, and Colonel. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Saint Leo College, a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from International College, and a Juris Doctorate degree from Nova Southeastern University.
Sheriff Hoffman is a graduate of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center’s Police Legal Advisors Training Program and a member of the Florida Bar’s Labor and Employment Law, and City, County and Local Government Law sections. In 2011, Sheriff Hoffman completed the FBI’s Florida Executive Development Seminar and in 2014, graduated from the FBI National Academy, during which time he also earned a Graduate Certificate in Leadership from the University of Virginia.
Venice Chief of police Charlie Thorpe
Professional Background
Chief Andy Leisenring is a dedicated law enforcement leader with over 20 years of experience. He began his career in Michigan in 2001 and joined the Venice Police Department (VPD) in 2007. He was appointed Chief of Police in January 2025.
Over the years, he has served in nearly every operational and supervisory role, including:
- Patrol Officer
- Detective
- Patrol Sergeant
- Patrol Lieutenant
- Special Operation Lieutenant
- Patrol Captain
- Chief of Police
Education
Chief Leisenring is a strong advocate for lifelong learning and professional development. His academic achievements include:
- Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Strategic Management – Boston University
- Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice – Ferris State University
- Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice and Leadership – University of Virginia
Executive & Leadership Training
- FBI National Academy – Session #294
- Senior Management Institute for Police (PERF) – Session #92
- FDLE Senior Leadership Program – Class #23
- FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Award Recipient
- Leadership Venice – Inaugural Program Graduate
Commitment to Community
Chief Leisenring is passionate about community-oriented policing. He actively fosters strong partnerships with:
- Residents
- Local businesses
- Schools and youth organizations
- Community groups and nonprofits
- Visitors to the City of Venice
He believes that public trust is built through transparency, engagement, and compassionate service.
Personal Life
Chief Leisenring resides in Venice with his family. He is an active member of his local church and regularly volunteers with nonprofit organizations.Chief of Police
Tel: (941) 486-2444
Fax: (941) 480-3027
Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public-records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.
Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Manatee County Sheriff, Rick Wells. https://www.manateesheriff.com/
FOR EMERGENCIES IN PROGRESS: CALL 911
TO REPORT A CRIME OR NON-EMERGENCY, CALL 941-747-3011 EXTENSION 2260
Sheriff Rick Wells was sworn in as Sheriff of Manatee County on January 3, 2017, and is currently serving in his second term. Sheriff Wells was the Palmetto Police Department’s Police Chief from 2010 to 2015; and also spent 21 years at Florida Highway Patrol where he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Sheriff Wells has more than 33 years experience in law enforcement.
Sheriff Wells was born in Tampa, Florida, moving to Manatee County in 1978. He graduated from Manatee High School in 1982; attended Manatee Junior College, and has an Associate of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Columbia Southern University. He is also a graduate of Saint Leo University; Command Officer Management Program.
In 1991, Sheriff Wells was named the Manatee County Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. He received the Manatee County Whitey Knutsen Award in 1991; Unidos Now Visionary Award in 2012; the NAACP Humanitarian Award in 2014, and the Edgar H. Price, Jr. Humanitarian Award in 2016.Serving as an instructor in his field, Sheriff Wells has taught law enforcement to governmental, educational, and community organizations throughout Florida. He is currently the Executive Director of Manatee County Police League, Chairperson of the Manatee County Law Enforcement Council and Law Enforcement Advisory Board Council for the Manatee Technical College, and a board member of the North Manatee Kiwanis, Replay Advisory Council, and Strength in Action. Sheriff Wells has also served with the Boy Scouts of America, Keep Manatee Beautiful, Manatee Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, and North Manatee Storm Football.
Sheriff Wells is married to Lupita Wells and has three sons.
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Josh Cramer was sworn in as the City of Bradenton’s 14th Chief of Police on July 8, 2025. He holds the distinction of being the first Chief of Police in over thirty years to be appointed from within the ranks of the Bradenton Police Department.
Chief Cramer’s distinguished law enforcement career with BPD began in 1995 and spans three decades of dedicated service. He spent the first eight years of his career as a patrol officer before earning successive promotions: Sergeant in 2003, Lieutenant in 2011, Captain in 2015, and Assistant Chief of Police in 2016. He served in that executive role until his retirement in 2022. Following his retirement, Chief Cramer was elected to the Bradenton City Council, where he continued his commitment to public service. Notably, he also remained actively involved with the department as a reserve officer.
Throughout his career, Chief Cramer received numerous accolades recognizing his exemplary performance and leadership. These honors include the Bradenton Police Department’s Officer of the Year Award (2007), a Commendation Bar (2010), and the prestigious Gary Tibbetts Career Service Award presented by the 16th Congressional District (2022).
In addition to ongoing professional development, Chief Cramer completed several advanced leadership programs, including the FBI Florida Executive Development Seminar in 2015 and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Chief Executive Seminar in 2016.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology from Florida State University (1994) and is a graduate of the Lively Law Enforcement Academy in Tallahassee (1994).
Chief Cramer is also involved in numerous community organizations, including Leadership Manatee and Big Brothers, Big Sisters.
