Major Glenn Johnson oversees the Support Services Bureau, which includes many of the support functions of the agency as well as the community initiatives and youth programs.
Recruitment
The Recruitment Unit reviews applications for civilian and sworn openings at the agency. Extensive background investigations are required for sworn employees according to Florida State Statutes and they are completed by specially trained officers at the agency. This unit works closely with the City Human Resources Office to complete the hiring process.
Community Affairs
This office houses three separate units. The Alarm Services Unit is responsible for selling yearly permits for Burglar Alarms in the City. They also are responsible for fining violators that have exceeded the allowable false alarms within the year set by City Ordinance. The Summons Enforcement Officer keeps track of the hundreds of subpoenas that are served on officers at the agency. They also attend certain court hearings to make sure they coordinate the officers that are need to testify. This office is also responsible for managing the off duty details that are requested by businesses and citizens to have police officers protect their properties.
Information Services
One of 1999's most exciting projects was the acquisition of a new computer system. The Fort Myers Police Department now is on the cutting edge of law enforcement technology.
The new computer system, which was possible thanks to a 51.8 million grant, includes more than 100 networked computers at eight locations, six servers, enhanced law enforcement software, mapping capabilities and laptop computers for each patrol car.
Installation of the computer system is continuing in 2000 and is coordinated by System Administrator Paul Ambrose. When complete, officers will be able to prepare reports on computer and submit them electronically. This will increase the time officers have available, using this time to patrol the city and tackle ongoing crime problems.
Records Division
Aside from police officers, the members of the Records Division are the employees most likely to directly serve the citizens of Fort Myers. Supervised by Ms. Peggy Lince, the Records Division is responsible for maintaining all reports of crimes, arrest reports and accident reports.
Records employees also make these reports available to the public.
All original reports are carefully stored and eventually microfilmed after several years. Records clerks also enter data from the reports in the department's computer system for tracking criminal histories and for statistical purposes.