Two new officers join Longboat Key Police Department

Two police officers, Adam Swinford and Mike Rizzo, started their Longboat Key Police Department careers this month. On Aug. 14, the two were officially sworn in.

Officer Adam Swinford 

Originally from Indiana, Officer Adam Swinford, 33, comes to Longboat Key with seven years of law enforcement experience and three years in corrections. 

Swinford graduated from Indiana State University in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Following graduation, he was hired by the Indiana Department of Corrections to work at Indiana's largest state prison. After two years there, he worked at another prison for a year before starting as an officer in Peru, Indiana. 

Swinford then spent four years in that department, and another three years in a department near Kokomo, Indiana. During those years, he served as a field training officer, training new recruits and showing them the ropes. 

“You teach them basically how to walk as a police officer,” Swinford said. 

He’s wanted to come south for a couple years, and now, he is ready to become a part of the Longboat Key community. He was drawn to the size of the department and community, and the community policing aspect. 

“I can focus more on helping the community, being a part of the community that really appreciates you,” Swinford said. “And I’ve definitely gotten that vibe so far.” 

Aside from the job, Swinford is looking forward to living in an area where there’s so much to do outside. He’s excited to enjoy the weather and the beaches, and said he didn’t know if he wanted to do any more winters in Indiana. 

Swinford is also a competitive softball player, playing for a police softball circuit. He said he meets officers from all over as he travels the country. It’s also helped him relieve some stress from the job. 

“Being a police officer does get stressful at times,” Swinford said. “So it’s a good way to divert your attention and focus on sports and hanging out with all the guys.” 

So far, Swinford said he has liked the morale throughout the Longboat Key Police Department and thinks this will be a good fit for him to continue his law enforcement career. 

Officer Mike Rizzo

Ten years ago, Officer Mike Rizzo was slinging pizzas in Highland, New York. Then came nine years working for the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office in New York. After that Rizzo made the decision to move to Florida and start with the Longboat Key Police Department. 

Rizzo, 32, said he was always interested in law enforcement and helping people. 

“I like the fact that people can rely on me,” Rizzo said. “When there’s an incident or something like that and you’re able to fulfill those needs, it’s very rewarding.” 

Back in New York, Rizzo worked alongside Sergeant Adam Montfort in the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office before Montfort came to work for Longboat Key. Montfort told Rizzo to look into the Longboat Key Police Department, and Rizzo was hooked. 

“The location was beautiful, the people are great and there’s respect for law enforcement,” Rizzo said. 

In New York, Rizzo was also a part of the marine patrol unit. He’s not on the waters of Longboat Key yet, though he's interested in it. 

After about two weeks on the job, Rizzo said had already met great coworkers and members of the community. But he said Longboat Key has been a culture shock for him, in a good way. 

“I’m not dealing with the gangs that I was back at home,” Rizzo said. “This first week has been an eye-opener to see how other agencies operate, other than just being in the county I was in for nine years.” 

In the future, Rizzo hopes to work up the chain of command in the department. He is looking forward to helping out members of the community and getting to know them on a personal level. 

“I want them to be able to know my name just by seeing me,” Rizzo said. “I want to show my face enough where they know me as a result.” 

Rizzo also hopes to soak in the sun and enjoy some Florida fishing.