Sarasota Police Department swears in five new officers

Service, professionalism, dedication.

After reciting those three words that define the core values of the Sarasota Police Department as challenged by Deputy Chief of Police Scott Mayforth, the next class of five officers were officially pinned as members of the agency. 

On Oct. 10, officers Savannah Gray, Gabriel Victoria, Tristan Sarney, Emilio Suriel and Gabrielle Theofanous were sworn in following nearly nine months of evaluations and training.

“It was probably more like 10 days back in the day,” said Chief of Police Rex Troche of the training regiment, “but it's important that they get that additional training here to understand what our culture is today. I'm incredibly proud of your hard work, your commitment and the sacrifices that you've had to make along the way to make this day come true, and I'm incredibly honored that you have now made that commitment to serve our community.”

Image courtesy of Sarasota Police Department

At that, the officers were called up one at a time as Mayforth read their biographies, received their badges from a family member and had photographs taken with friends and family. Following were remarks by Mayor Liz Alpert, Interim City Manager Dave Bullock and Troche, the latter speaking of the legacy they began to build the moment they were recruited.

“It's important to understand the minute you all walked in this door, your legacy started because we were all paying attention to how you conducted yourself, how you handled situations where you're responsible,” Troche said. “A lot of that legacy is built on the people sitting behind you right now, and it's really important for you to understand when you feel that your foundation is getting weak, you turn to them for help when it comes time.”

Career ambitions for the new officers include becoming a detective, a field training officer, a member of the crisis negotiation unit, joining the SWAT unit and other task forces, drone unit, marine unit, K-9 unit and Homeless Outreach Team. 

The new officers’ training is not yet complete. Next is several weeks on patrol with a field training officer before the keys to a cruiser are turned over to them. 

“Before me, I see five leaders,” Troche said. “You will take us to the next level. You will determine how we are viewed by the public, how we're viewed by the world, because we are constantly being judged in our profession. Small, minuscule moments in time are judged, and that is a great pressure and great stress, but we wouldn't have chosen you if we didn't think you could handle it.”