Longboat Key starts search for new police chief

The search is on for the new Longboat Key police chief. 

The Longboat Key Police Department has operated under the direction of Interim Chief of Police Frank Rubino since George Turner’s departure in January. The town is now seeking an official police chief to take over the position. 

Town Manager Howard Tipton said he hopes to select the ideal candidate around mid-June, which will allow the town commission to meet the new chief before the commission leaves for summer recess. 

The town began advertising for the job in April and has around 43 applications as of May 1, and Tipton said he anticipates the pool will include internal and external candidates. 

Rubino, formerly the department’s deputy chief, has been serving as the interim chief of police since January after Turner’s departure. Tipton commended Rubino, who has applied for the chief position, for his role in the transitional period of the department. 

“During this interim period, the operation has run very well,” Tipton said. 

It was one of Tipton’s goals after Turner’s exit to meet with other members of the police department to hear from staff about what they want in the next chief. 

One theme Tipton heard was someone to lead by example. As Tipton described it, it’s a “working manager,” or someone who can be comfortable both in the field and as an administrator. 

“We’re looking for someone who has the professionalism to run an accredited organization and take that to the next level,” Tipton said. 

The department will continue its emphasis on community policing through connections with the residents and community groups. The ideal candidate, Tipton said, would also hold those values high. 

In December 2024, Tipton sent an internal memo to tell staff that Turner would step down from his role at the end of January.

The memo did not disclose specific reasons for Turner’s departure, but Turner told his staff in a separate email that it was because of Tipton wanting to take the department in a new direction.

Turner first worked for the Longboat Key Police Department from 2001 to 2007 as police captain. Turner then returned to Longboat Key in 2021 and became chief of police.