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Dorene J.Thomas
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The Office of the Chief is comprised of the Chief of Police, the Internal Affairs Unit, and the Public Information Unit. The Chief of Police reports directly to the City Manager, and is designated as having the authority and responsibility for the management, direction, and control of the operation, services, and administration of the Police Department.
Some of the primary duties of the chief are, but not limited to include: to formulate policy and methods of operation, to attend functions to promote the department's public image, to attend special and regular meetings of the City Council, directing recruitment, selection, promotion, and maintaining the departments discipline and morale.
A society free from crime and disorder remains an ideal not yet achieved. Nevertheless, consistent with the values of a free society, it is the primary objective of the Pinellas Park Police Department to approach that ideal as closely as possible. In so doing, the department's role is to act in a fair and impartial manner, recognizing both the statutory and judicial limitations of police authority and the Constitutional rights of all people. It is not the role of the department to legislate, render judgments, or punish. It is essential that police officers be provided an environment within which they can exercise their legal and professional responsibilities without fear of reprisal or harassment.
Essentially, the residents and visitors of Pinellas Park should be provided an environment in which they are not subjected to law enforcement misconduct or abuse. To ensure these desired ends, the department has adopted a formal complaint procedure. Complaints of misconduct received by the department are investigated and then filed in the Internal Affairs Unit.
