November 8, 2022
Driving Training Preps for High Risk Transports
 by Laura L. Sullivan, Public Relations Specialist
At the jail, detention deputies are responsible for the safety of every inmate in the facility. It doesn’t matter if that inmate is violent or has committed a horrible crime – deputies are charged with their welfare. When an inmate is highly combative or poses a risk to staff members, it’s time to call out the Corrections Response Team (CRT). This specially selected and highly trained team responds whenever something unusual or dangerous happens in the jail. Often, they are called upon to work outside the jail too.

CRT is activated more than 100 times each year, and the majority are for high-risk transports. Recently, the team participated in their first tactical driving training where they learned the same techniques road deputies use to drive in extreme situations. As they navigated a course of orange cones at high speeds, making tight turns and quick decisions, they prepared themselves for the worst-case scenarios they might face when transporting an inmate to a medical appointment, psychiatric facility, or another jurisdiction.

At the jail facility it is easier to control and predict situations, but on the road it is a different, much more dangerous story. “We don’t know what we will encounter off-compound,” said Sergeant Robert Serrano. “We have to be prepared for any circumstances. What if someone tries to box us in? What if there’s an ambush?”

“These may be inmates who have done terrible things,” said Corporal Kevin Fey. “They may be kidnappers, they may have harmed children. Victims could want to take matters into their own hands.” CRT could be transporting a gang member or drug dealer whose cohorts want to rescue them… or assassinate them if they think they’ll give incriminating testimony. An inmate might also be considered a high-risk transport if they are famous, either because of the notoriety of the crime they committed, or from their life outside of crime.

“We have to ensure the safety of each individual, just like law enforcement has to protect each citizen on the street, even if we place our own lives on the line,” Sergeant Serrano said.

Some inmates need to be transported by CRT because they are a risk to themselves. “They could have minor charges, but major mental health issues,” said Sergeant Serrano. “They could have a history of self-harm. Those inmates may need to be transported to a hospital or psychiatric facility.” Special precautions are taken to keep the inmate from hurting themselves or others. A nurse might accompany CRT if there are medical concerns. CRT’s role isn’t just limited to the vehicle – they are responsible for safeguarding the inmate in all locations such as when entering the hospital or stopping for gas.

Thorough planning can limit the variables. Before a high-risk transport, CRT members think through all contingencies. What if they get a flat tire or have a random accident? What if a route is unexpectedly shut down by construction? Any complication could open the deputies or the inmate up to potential danger, so they do their best to think of what could happen and how to prevent any negative outcome. The driving training let them push vehicles to the limits with hard acceleration and quick stops. They learned how to evade sudden obstacles, shift the weight of the vehicle to maximize turn capabilities, and calculate the vehicle’s exact pivot point. Trainers reminded them to use shuffle steering, a technique where the hands never cross. Wet roads are often a hazard in Florida and CRT members received extra training on a flooded skid pad.

The 50-member team participates in eight hours of specialized training a month to keep their skills sharp. Whenever anything unusual or high risk happens in the jail or when transporting an inmate, the CRT team is ready.
Sheriff’s Christmas Sharing Project Helps Families in Need
 by Laura L. Sullivan, Public Relations Specialist
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) wants every child to experience the joy of the holidays. For the past 28 years PCSO’s Ride & Run With The Stars has raised money for families in need. Last year’s event raised $72,000 for the Sheriff’s Christmas Sharing Project, assisting 539 kids and 217 families. Members from around the agency help identify families that need a little help to have a happier holiday season.

Community Policing deputies (CPOs) develop in-depth knowledge of the communities they serve and often know the personal situations of the families they encounter through the year. “Community policing deputies select families within their assigned area who they have established a relationship with,” said CPO Corporal Will Lawson. “Each family is vetted by specific criteria.” They can’t have received help from the Christmas Sharing Project in the past two years, nor can they have any felony convictions.

Deputies reach out to local community centers for suggestions too, and some families are identified after they are victims of crimes or other unfortunate circumstances. “Last year there was a family that lost everything in a fire,” Corporal Lawson said. “We were able to provide them with Christmas items, Publix gift cards, and gas cards from Wawa.”

CPO Corporal Tom Goldberg talked about one of the families that they’ll help this year. “We have a single mother who has three kids and one has a rare but serious medical condition. The child had to have a liver transplant at three and now at eight years old he still has many medical issues. The mother is unable to provide gifts for Christmas, so we’ll help by providing gifts and a meal to the family so they can enjoy the happiness of the holiday as best as possible.”

The help that the Sheriff’s Christmas Sharing Project brings to families makes an incredible difference in people’s lives. “We meet so many folks who have been hit hard by the pandemic, loss of a job, loss of a family member, and even by the economy,” said Corporal Goldberg. “This program puts smiles on their faces and joy in their hearts.”

The program also helps remind people that the PCSO does so much more than law enforcement. It is one of many ways in which the PCSO serves the community. “This program helps deputies bridge the gap between law enforcement and the community,” said Corporal Lawson. “It helps the public see that deputies are caring people.”

After raising funds at Ride & Run With The Stars, PCSO members get to shop for the families in need. “It is truly an enjoyable experience,” said Corporal Lawson, who has been participating for 14 years. “I get to play Santa for a day.” He said that delivering the gifts to homes is “absolutely one of the most enjoyable days of work.” Wish lists include many of the things all kids hope for: bikes, video games, computers, board games, and of course toys. But families also ask for necessities like clothing and shoes.

You can help make a difference along with the PCSO by registering for Ride & Run With The Stars. Join us Saturday, December 3rd at 8 a.m. at Fort DeSoto Park for family fun runs and rides as well as a competitive 5K chipped race. Bid on items in a silent auction, and see Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive in a helicopter, along with other family-friendly events. You can register here.

“Ride & Run With The Stars and the Christmas Sharing Project are simply life-changing,” said Corporal Goldberg. “Each year I witness families restore their trust and support for the sheriff’s office due to these programs. The vast amount of hard work and effort by our members really makes a huge difference in so many young lives in Pinellas County.”

Community Shows Its Support at PCSO Night Out
by Laura L. Sullivan, Public Relations Specialist
Law enforcement is a challenging profession but at events like the recent Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) Night Out, deputies got to see the friendly faces of the supportive public they serve. It was a night for the community to connect with law enforcement and remember that we are all working toward a common goal of public safety.

Held at locations in Seminole and Dunedin, this annual event shows off some of the most interesting parts of the PCSO, including helicopters, K-9, rescue vehicles, and classic PCSO cruisers. Families talked with public relations staff about the many special programs PCSO offers for people of all ages, including the 10-week Sheriff’s Citizens Academy, Teen Citizens Academy, and Discovery Day.

PCSO members met a lot of kids who want to be deputies when they grow up and we helped them start their journey with junior deputy badges. Seven-year-old Marin Cerney handed a carefully folded note to Lieutenant Nicole Baker that read Dear Police, thank you for working hard to keep us safe from harm. I wish to be like you one day. Thank you!

“Whenever we see an officer we tell them thank you for keeping us safe,” Marin’s mom Jessica Cerney said.