The School Resource Officer program is based on the recognized SRO Triangle model. The SRO Triangle requires school based deputies to perform the functions of a law enforcement officer, a law related educator, and a counselor (mentor). Law enforcement functions range from simple incident reporting to physical arrests. All School Resource Officers are fully certified, uniformed, armed, and receive additional training from the Office of the Florida Attorney General. As a law related educator, deputies provide crime prevention information, safety information, and drug prevention training such as DARE. Fulfilling the role of counselor, the School Resource Officer provides mentoring, referrals, and community resources to meet the ever changing needs of our youth.

Currently, the Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the Charlotte County School Board, provides two School Resource Officer at Port Charlotte High School, and two at Lemon Bay High School. There is one School Resource Officer each at LA Ainger Middle, Port Charlotte Middle, and Murdock Middle Schools. There are three certified DARE Officers that share three elementary schools each. We also provide a School Resource Officer at The Academy located at Charlotte Technical Center, and at Charlotte Harbor School.

Further the Juvenile Operations Unit actively participates in the Police Athletic League summer camp and after school programs. The Juvenile Operations Unit also organizes operations to combat underage sales of alcohol and tobacco, operations to enforce underage alcohol and tobacco laws, and assist in fulfilling Drug Free Charlotte County objectives.

The Juvenile Operations Unit was the first to implement Charlotte County’s Civil Citation Program in 2007 which offers first-time, non-violent youth offenders the opportunity to be diverted from the juvenile justice system. Participants serve pre-determined community service hours and participate in our Fresh Start Program. This type of diversion not only prevents juvenile criminal records, but assists the justice system by allowing them to address serious habitual offenders.

Contact Information

Juvenile Supervisor
7474 Utilities Road
Punta Gorda, FL 33982

Phone: 941-575-5228
Fax: 941-205-5635