My name is Officer Joe Puglia,
As a Community Police Officer, my duties include but are not limited to community engagement, forming partnerships with businesses and citizens, crime prevention and reduction, homeless outreach, and addressing quality of life issues such as trash, homelessness, blight conditions, noise, and any other issue that diminishes the safety and general welfare of the community. I aim to make the area a better place to live, work and play.
I am available and willing to assist our citizens in a variety of ways, including Professional crime prevention surveys for your home or business, addressing long-term ongoing issues, providing information about crime in the area or your community, mediating neighbor disputes, to address quality of life issues, to address issues in our parks, to help set up and guide neighborhood crime watches, to partner with businesses and organizations in community-related events, addressing blight or any other matters of concern to the community.
I have been a police officer for 23 years. I have served as a detective assigned to the Criminal Investigation Section, a Field Training Officer assigned to Patrol, and a Training Officer assigned to Administration. I also serve as a Hostage Negotiator on the agency SWAT team and a Civil Emergency Response Team member. I also am certified as a Critical Stress Management Specialist and a state-certified instructor. In addition, I have been in the Community Policing Unit for four years.
Before my law enforcement career, I served two years as a Detention Deputy in the Pinellas County Jail. Before working in the jail, I was self-employed and owned a cleaning business I ran while attending school.
I am a proud veteran who served as a Naval Aircrewman in the US Navy. I was fortunate to travel worldwide and see many interesting and exciting things. I could experience different cultures and meet people I would never have otherwise.
I invite you to approach me, talk to me, visit me, or call me. I love talking to people, and I want to hear any concerns and ideas you have regarding the safety and welfare of the community.