When a citizen or visitor calls the Sarasota Police Department for assistance, the initial responding Officer is assigned to the Patrol Division.  The Patrol Division is the backbone of the Sarasota Police Department.  Patrol Officers are responsible for normal patrol operations in the City of Sarasota.  The City of Sarasota is broken down into three districts:  North, Central and South. The Patrol Division also encompasses the K-9 Unit, Traffic Homicide Unit, Marine Patrol Unit, School Resource Officers and Homeless Outreach Team. 

There are four shifts of Officers that provide police services within the City of Sarasota 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.  Each Patrol shift is supervised by a Lieutenant, three Sergeants and is staffed by numerous Police Officers to ensure an efficient and effective patrol response.  There are three walking beats in the City of Sarasota, two of which are in the Downtown area and one in the Newtown area. 

Patrol Officers meet with the reporting person, interview witnesses and suspects, collect evidence, render first aid, effect arrests and conduct crash investigations.  If a scene or criminal investigation is complex, the Patrol Officer can request assistance from a specialized unit for additional investigative resources; however the initial case is worked by the Patrol Officer.

Many Patrol Officers have received specialized training in investigative techniques, narcotics detection and investigation, evidence recovery, police bicycle operation and crisis intervention training (CIT) which enhances their response to our City.  Patrol Officers receive advanced training in Community Oriented and Partnership Policing, Use of Force, Police Vehicle Operations and various of other law enforcement topics.

Captain Scott Mayforth serves as the Commander of the Sarasota Police Department’s Patrol Division.  Lieutenant Bruce King serves as the Deputy Commander of the Patrol Division.