Chat with the Chief
Chat with the Chief is a podcast hosted by Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche. Each episode features conversations with Sarasota Police Department members and community leaders, offering a closer look at the initiatives shaping life in our city. The podcast was created to open the lines of communication with our community, discussing topics you may not always see but that impact all of us, from traffic safety and investigations to homeless outreach and beyond. There’s a lot happening behind the scenes to keep the City of Sarasota safe and connected. This is our chance to share those stories and to chat about what matters most to you.
Episodes
The Sarasota Police Department Real-Time Operations Center (ROC) is a centralized hub that enhances public safety by bringing together live technology and real-time intelligence.
It integrates tools such as traffic cameras, license plate readers, computer-aided dispatch data and other digital systems to give officers a comprehensive, real-time view of activity across the City of Sarasota.
This impr...
On this episode of Chat with the Chief, we're humbled to welcome Commissioner Bill Bratton to our podcast. Former leader of NYPD, Boston PD and LAPD. He’s a dedicated leader who cares deeply about public safety, our community and law enforcement. We appreciate his partnership and his willingness to join us for this important conversation.
Chat with the Chief is the official podcast of the Sarasota Police Departm...
As the 2025-2026 school year continues, Sarasota Police and Sarasota County Schools are teaming up to talk about what safety really means on and off campus. Sarasota County Schools Superintendent Terry Connor joined Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche to talk about everything from managing the busy morning drop-off line to protecting student wellness and building trust between schools, law enforcement and families. The...
Chief Troche sits down with Sarasota County Emergency Manager Sandra Tapfumaneyi for an important conversation about hurricane season including what we learned from the historic 2024 season, how our community came together and what you can do to prepare before the next storm.
City of Sarasota Hurricane Preparedness: https://www.sarasotafl.gov/Department-Pages/City-Manager/Communications/Hurricane-Preparedn...
We’re pleased to announce the return of the Sarasota Police Department’s podcast, Chat with the Chief. After a brief pause, we're excited to resume sharing conversations, insights and stories from our agency.
On this episode, Captain Konstantopoulos and Lt. Quinlan, leaders of the Sarasota Police Department’s Support Services Division, join Chief Troche to discuss protests and public safety.
The Sarasota Police D...
In Part 2 of this Chat with the Chief episode, Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche continues the conversation with Western Australia Police Force Detective Senior Constables Jamie Auhl and Brandon Jeffries and DEA Tampa Assistant Special Agent in Charge Mike Furgason.
The discussion highlights lessons learned from this international collaboration, the benefits of task force operations, and how these experience...
In this special two-part Chat with the Chief episode, Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche hosts three distinguished guests: Western Australia Police Force Detective Senior Constables Jamie Auhl and Brandon Jeffries, and DEA Tampa Assistant Special Agent in Charge Mike Furgason.
Part 1 explores the unique collaboration between the Western Australia Police Force and the DEA in Tampa. Learn about the challenges a...
In this Chat with the Chief episode, Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche is joined by North Port Police Chief Todd Garrison to reflect on the devastation of Hurricane Ian, two years after it made landfall. As the anniversary of this deadly storm approaches and the region enters peak hurricane season, the two chiefs discuss the lessons learned from the disaster, the investments made in equipment and technology to enhanc...
In this Chat with the Chief episode, Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche welcomes Officer Trip Schwenk, who took home gold and silver medals in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, GA. Officer Schwenk competed in swimming. He is now a skilled member of the Sarasota Police Dive Team, assisting in derelict vessel removals and teaching water survival tactics to new recruits.
In this episode, Officer Schwenk reflects on his O...
In this Chat with the Chief episode, we're excited to welcome Chuck Wexler, the Executive Director of the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF). Chuck shares the story of where his love for law enforcement began and why he chose to stay in the research field rather than become a sworn officer. Our discussion delves into successful and failed recruiting techniques, offering valuable insights for departments nat...
In this Chat with the Chief episode, we're thrilled to host Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody. Attorney General Moody's presence at the April 18, 2024, swearing-in ceremony for nine new officers marked a pivotal moment, highlighting her commitment to bolstering law enforcement across the Sunshine State. Her innovative "Be a Florida Hero" program, offering financial incentives to new Law Enfor...
Joining Chief Troche on the podcast this episode is Denise Schonwald, a nationally licensed mental health counselor, published author, and public speaker in Sarasota, with over 30 years of experience as a registered nurse (RN) in the ICU. As we celebrate Valentine’s Day, Denise talks with Chief Troche about some best practices for navigating relationships and family life for law enforcement officers. The national av...
Joining Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche on the podcast for this episode is Lashelle Williams, the Civilian Volunteer Coordinator. She works closely with the Community Relations (CRU) and Crime Prevention Units. The Crime Prevention Unit works with community groups, organizations, and businesses in an effort to identify mutual problems and community needs, identify police service needs, obtain community feedback, an...
Lieutenant Richie Schwieterman of our Support Services Division (SSD) is joining Chief Troche for this episode. The Support Services Division comprises the critical infrastructure components like the Body Worn Camera Program, Management Information Systems (MIS), Special Events and Extra-Duty, Facilities Maintenance, Records Management, Property and Evidence Unit, Fleet, and the Red-Light Camera Program.
T...
Joining Chief Troche on the podcast this episode are two members of the new Community Relations Unit (CRU), Sergeant Comac and Officer Grochowski. Our CRU officers are dedicated to addressing quality-of-life concerns throughout our city. They are highly trained and bike-certified, allowing them to patrol area parks and neighborhoods efficiently. You may have already seen them at your local schools, where they greet ...
Joining Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche on the podcast this month are Officer Dixon and Officer Skinner of the Marine Patrol Unit. Learn about the many things their unit is tasked with, like enforcing marine laws and ordinances and investigating boating accidents. Officer Dixon and Officer Skinner also talk about how they assist the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission with derelict vessel investigatio...
Joining Chief Troche on the podcast this episode is our top-notch recruiting team, Jack Carter and Enrique Nazario. Law enforcement continues to offer exciting career opportunities while meeting the ever-changing needs of our diverse community. Our recruiters are working hard to find the best and brightest candidates to enhance our dedicated workforce. In this episode, Jack and Enrique discuss what qualities they lo...
Joining Chief Troche on the podcast this episode is Captain Armstrong. He oversees the entire Patrol Division, which is considered by many to be the backbone of the Sarasota Police Department. With four rotating shifts covering ten work zones, officers provide police services within the City of Sarasota 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Patrol officers are the first to arrive on-scene at critical incid...
Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche talks about how collaboration leads to great things. Learn how technology and teamwork help students stay educated and engaged during the summer.
Community Partners, Deb Kabinoff from the Deb Kabinoff Fund, Jeff Birnbach from the Sarasota Police Foundation, and Lucero Guzman from UnidosNow join Chief Troche to discuss a unique community outreach project in the 1500 N. Orange, Saraso...
Joining Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche on the podcast this episode is Sergeant Morrison and Deidre "Dede" Jones of the City of Sarasota's Homeless Outreach Team. Learn about the resources they provide to those in need and what community partners they work with most frequently. Chief Troche, Sgt. Morrison, and "Dede" Jones also talk about the best ways you can help the Homeless Outreach Tea...
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