Patrol Operations Bureau

The Patrol Operations Bureau (POB) is commanded by a major and is the largest law enforcement bureau within the sheriff’s office, with over 700 sworn and non-sworn authorized employees. It is comprised of four divisions: North District, Central District, Special Operations, and Youth Education and Administrative Services, each commanded by a captain. This bureau is also home to the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team. Members of POB are the face of the organization. When citizens contact the communications center to request a deputy, the members of POB are the designated first responders for all calls for service.

Members of North District provide uniformed law enforcement services for citizens in unincorporated Pinellas County and contract cities located north of State Road 60 (Gulf to Bay Boulevard) to the Pasco County line. The North District area is divided into two geographic squad areas, and serves three law enforcement contract cities: Dunedin, Oldsmar, and Safety Harbor. North District Station is physically located in the City of Dunedin. Deputies assigned to North District respond to all calls for law enforcement services, provide traffic enforcement, and conduct routine patrol and extra patrol as requested. North District also has designated community policing deputies who work with citizen groups and community partners on various problem-oriented policing initiatives.

Members of Central District provide uniformed law enforcement services for citizens in unincorporated Pinellas County and contract cities south of State Road 60 (Gulf to Bay Boulevard). The district is broken out into three geographic squad areas, and serves ten law enforcement contract cities: Belleair Beach, Belleair Bluffs, Belleair Shore, Indian Rocks Beach, Madeira Beach, North Redington Beach, Redington Beach, Seminole, South Pasadena, and St. Pete Beach. The Central District station is housed in the Sheriff’s Administration Building in Largo. Deputies assigned to Central District respond to all calls for law enforcement services, provide traffic enforcement, and conduct routine patrol and extra patrol as requested. Central District also has designated community policing deputies who work with citizen groups and community partners on various problem-oriented policing initiatives.

The Special Operations Division is comprised of a number of specialized enforcement components, including the Marine, Canine, Flight, DUI, and Field Training Units. Special Operations personnel are responsible for providing law enforcement services to the St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport. Special Operations personnel also coordinate off-duty work assignments and develop and implement security plans for special events throughout the county. The Special Operations Division oversees part-time agency teams such as the Dive Team and the Major Accident Investigation Team.

Members of the Youth Education and Administrative Services Division serve a number of roles. Youth Education and Administrative Services is comprised of a variety of units including: School Guardian Unit, School Resource Officer, Youth Services, Habitual Offender Monitoring and Enforcement, and School Crossing Guard. The Youth Education and Administrative Services Division also serves as a liaison to all contract cities. This division is responsible for programs such as: Juvenile Diversion, Narcotics Overdose Prevention and Education (NOPE), and Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Public Safety Cadets, Unit #900.