Deputy Chief Frank Rubino takes over as interim chief for LBKPD

Deputy Chief Frank Rubino officially started his tenure as interim chief of police for the Longboat Key Police Department on Jan. 11. 

The temporary promotion comes after former Chief of Police George Turner informed police department personnel in December 2024 that he would be stepping down due to Town Manager Howard Tipton’s desire to move the department in a new direction. 

Turner said in his correspondences with police department personnel he felt confident leaving the department in Rubino's hands, and Tipton shared a similar sentiment.

Rubino brings 44 years of police experience to the department and started with the Longboat Key Police Department in 2013. 

According to Rubino, the police department personnel are handling the transition with fortitude. 

“It’s definitely a big change for the guys here,” Rubino said. “But they’re doing the best they can and looking to move forward.”

One of the things Rubino feels most confident about is the current strength of the department, which he said is fully staffed.

The sworn officers in Longboat Key’s department bring a diversity in backgrounds both in years and types of experience with previous departments. 

“That’s really a balance that every agency wants,” Rubino said. “We’re fortunate in Longboat Key to have that level of experience in our officers.” 

The department also received its first accreditation in department history in February 2024 under the guidance of Turner. Rubino said this, along with the strong staffing, helped put the department in a good place. 

“The accreditation was a big thing for Longboat Key,” Rubino said. “And we’re going to continue that accreditation.”

Rubino was the deputy chief and previously worked closely on the department’s budget and some department operations. 

Now, he assumes all chief duties, including all operations from patrol to investigations. Having worked on the budget previously, he’s confident in leading that effort for the department during the upcoming budget cycle. 

Room for improvement

Rubino said the department is in a good place, and credited much of that to Turner’s guidance in things like the accreditation. But there are always ways to improve, he said. 

“Going forward, we’re going to stay the course. There are a few programs that we might look to enhance,” Rubino said.

This includes a bicyclist and pedestrian safety outreach program the department is working on, which will include community outreach soon. 

Community policing is also a keystone for the Longboat Key Police Department, Rubino said, and he will seek to strengthen those community relations going forward.

Rubino hopes to meet with more homeowner and condominium associations to further those relationships and offer educational courses like scam prevention programs. 

“That’s what it’s about — it’s about partnership with the community,” Rubino said.

Rubino also said there are lessons learned from every hurricane, and he will work with the town and fire rescue department to see what could be done to enhance hurricane procedures. 

He also hopes to conduct joint training operations with the fire rescue department moving forward, potentially for things like active shooter training. 

Rubino will be “very involved” with the transition in the police department, which will include conversations with other town department directors and his personnel. 

In an email from Tipton to town commissioners on Jan. 10, Tipton further outlined Rubino’s next steps in the transition. 

“I have asked Chief Rubino to meet with key town department directors and managers with the goal of improving relationships and establishing better lines of communications,” Tipton said in the email. “The police department is part of a larger team and improving our teamwork is critical to our success.”

Tipton’s email also said town public safety communications will be changed moving forward. 

Current Fire Administration Manager and Fire Rescue Public Information Officer (PIO) Tina Adams will be the town’s new PIO for all public safety and will work closely with Rubino, per Tipton’s email. 

“We are future-focused, looking for opportunities to get better every day,” Tipton’s email stated. “Any suggestions for ways to improve are welcome and will be evaluated and if it moves the needle in a positive direction will be implemented.”