Ivan Zunz recognized for a decade with LKPD

Ivan Zunz, the friendly face greeting visitors who walk into the Longboat Key police station, has been with the department for 10 years.

Zunz is a customer service specialist for the Longboat Key Police Department, performing a wide range of duties for the small department tasked with policing the 11-mile barrier island. At a Longboat Key Town Commission meeting Monday, Zunz was recognized for his decade of employment with the department. Police Chief Russ Mager praised Zunz, saying he does his job with honor, integrity and commitment.

“He is a right arm to everybody in our police department. He has about two pages' long of duties and responsibilities as it relates to the town job, but he does about 20 or 30 more on a daily basis,” Mager said. “I can’t say enough about all the work that you do, and you are definitely appreciated.”

Zunz’s parents were active in the Longboat Key community since stumbling upon the barrier island decades ago. His mother, Pat Zunz, served on the Longboat Key Town Commission from 2011-2016. When Pat decided to step down from her position representing District 5, her husband, Ed Zunz, filled her shoes, serving on the same seat from 2016-2021.

Ivan, in a less visible position, has had an impact on the town as well, working with the police department since January, 2016.

“I never would have guessed when I started coming here with my parents as a little kid in the '70s that I’d be working as an ambassador of the community and doing my small part to keep the machine humming,” Zunz said. “Of course, it’s the officers and command staff that do the heavy lifting. We’re fortunate to have a great police department like this.”