Longboat Chief of Police George Turner to leave department in January

Longboat Key Chief of Police George Turner will step down from his role and leave the Longboat Key Police Department at the end of January.

According to a memo sent by Town Manager Howard Tipton to the police department personnel on Dec. 12, Turner will step down effective Jan. 11, 2025 and transition out of the town as of Jan. 24, 2025. 

There were no details on the reason for the departure in Tipton’s memo to police department staff, but in an email Turner sent to his employees he said:

“I wanted to take the opportunity to advise all that Town Manager Howard Tipton has recently informed me that he is moving the Longboat Key Police Department in a new direction, therefore I have been told that I will be stepping down from service as the Chief of Police.” 

Tipton’s memo stated he would start conversations with members of the police department and town about what the next steps would be. He also commended Turner on his nearly five decades of police service and the work he has done in the Longboat Key community. 

Turner served two times with the Longboat Key Police Department, first from 2001 to 2007, then from 2021 to now. 

“It has been an honor to serve the Town of Longboat Key,” Turner said in an email to town commissioners on Dec. 13. “My professional goal was to leave L.K.P.D. better than how I found it. Mission accomplished.”

When Turner was hired in 2021 by former town manager Tom Harmer, he was hired with the goal of leading the department to its first state accreditation, which the department achieved in February 2024. 

“I truly regret not having the opportunity to continue with you all in our pursuit of excellence, our future Florida Re-Accreditation(s) goal and our continued high level of professional police services we provide to our great community. We are all very fortunate to be able to work on such a beautiful island, and enjoy such a high level of community support,” Turner said in the email to his department. 

While the town searches for a new police chief, Deputy Chief Frank Rubino will serve as the Acting Chief of the Longboat Key Police Department.

“I have no idea of the new direction the town manager has in mind, but knowing that Deputy Chief Frank Rubino is named Acting Chief of Police upon my retirement comforts me,” Turner said in his email to the department. “Deputy Chief Rubino will continue in the pursuit of excellence, Florida Accreditation and our high level of community service. I am sure he will have your support, as you have supported me.”

Turner's background

Turner’s law enforcement career started in New York in 1976, where he was a part-time officer and rescue diver. 

During his time as a rescue diver, he assisted on missions rescuing, recovering bodies and searching for evidence. Then, in 1978, Turner was sworn in as a full-time road deputy. 

He served Ulster County first as a road deputy, then rose through the ranks to sergeant, lieutenant, captain and, finally, deputy chief. 

After 24 years in New York, Turner decided to switch from the lakes and rivers of New York to the beaches and canals of Florida. 

“It was a great career in New York, but I hated the snow,” Turner said. 

That’s when Turner first joined the Longboat Key Police Department in 2001 as the patrol captain. 

Six years later, in 2007, the police chief role in Brooksville opened up, and Turner decided to take that opportunity. 

During his time as the chief of Brooksville, he led the department to its first accreditation. 

Turner retired from Brooksville in 2018 and worked for a short time for the U.S. Marshals Service in Fort Myers. 

When he heard the police chief job was opening up on Longboat Key in 2021, Turner moved from Fort Myers and closer to Longboat Key, with the job in his sights. That’s when Turner’s second stint with the Longboat Key Police Department started.

Former town manager Tom Harmer hired Turner with the goal in mind to lead the Longboat Key Police Department to its first accreditation — something he had experience with in Brooksville. 

On Feb. 22, 2024, Turner and his officers received the department’s first accreditation in its history after three years of hard work. 

It was his proudest moment in the nearly 10 years he’s worked with Longboat Key. 

“That was a lot of work,” Turner said. “It was a good department before, but it was much better after. That’s obviously my proudest accomplishment.”