SPD swears in new class of seven officers

Seven new officers have been sworn in by the Sarasota Police Department. On Sept. 19, the department welcomed the new officers during a ceremony held at SPD headquarters at 2099 Adams Lane.

Delivering the keynote address was Ed Brodsky, state attorney for the 12th Circuit Judicial Court, who told the recruits he had dreamed of being a police officer as a young boy.

“You should be very proud of your accomplishments, but much will be expected of you,” he said. “You’re going to be required to wear many hats. You're going to be a social worker. You’re going to be a conflict mediator. You’re going to be a traffic director. You’re going to be a mental health counselor. You’re going to be a detailed report writer, a neighborhood patroller, a medic, a fireman; and you'll be a crime fighter.”

Those who have joined the department as second class probation officers are:

• Macy Clontz
• Matthew Friedrich
• Kaitlyn Marston
• Tim Malak
• Michal Banasiak
• Maria Quinones
• Brian Slaughter Jr.

Police Chief Rex Troche reminded the new officers of why they were selected for the job, their emotional IQ and ability to apply it to all the roles they will play while working in the community.

"When you're going out to those calls for service, remember your purpose,” Troche said. “Remember that this is probably the first time they've contacted a police officer. This may be your 30th contact of the day with someone, but this is their first, so make it meaningful for them.”

The new officers will begin their training program with field training officers, which will last for for several months.