Chief of Police
Chief Dennis Michael Jones
In May 2007, Dennis M. Jones became the thirteenth Chief of Police in the 167-year history of the Tallahassee Police Department. The Department is comprised of 364 sworn members responsible for policing a geographic area over 100 square miles. TPD is the third oldest municipal police department in the country and is the fourth longest nationally accredited police agency in the U.S. Chief Jones is a graduate of Penn State University, the F.B.I. National Academy, and has over 28 years of law enforcement experience. He has committed his life to public service and protecting the people he serves.
Partnerships between law enforcement and citizens are fundamental to Chief Jones' approach to improving community safety. Citizens are the eyes and ears of the Tallahassee Police Department and are key force multipliers. Because of the trust and outstanding relationship between the citizens of Tallahassee and the Tallahassee Police Department, the community has experienced a decrease in overall crime since 2001. As Tallahassee's Chief of Police a great deal of Chief Jones' time is focused on providing a positive and safe environment for children. At the core of this philosophy is the belief that children are key to a successful community and that police officers are not just the protectors of society, but are the examples for others to follow.
Chief Jones recently reorganized the department's management structure to reduce costs to citizens and to ensure efficient public safety services. The reorganization will save over $120,000 over the next two years. In addition, the Chief implemented a process allowing officers to report for duty in the field using mobile data computers, thus eliminating the cost associated with officers driving to police headquarters before every shift. This process will save approximately $40,000 annually and enables officers to utilize more time fighting crime. By joining forces with local businesses, community leaders, and parents, Chief Jones strives for a community partnership in solving criminal activity. Trust, Loyalty and Commitment are the fundamental foundations through which Chief Jones guides the Tallahassee Police Department.
About TPD
TPD has a distinguished 164 year history of fighting crime and being a leader in innovative police services. Today, TPD leads the way in many areas. We are recognized nationally as being the third longest accredited law enforcement agency in the country and for our programs developed to provide public safety services equally to all and to protect all citizens' civil rights. Whether its routine patrol services, forensic science services, traffic safety enforcement, or implementing new technologies, the men and women who work for you at the Tallahassee Police Department have one purpose; making Tallahassee a safe place to live, work, and play!
Tallahassee is a growing community with growing demands for public safety. As an agency that embraces community oriented policing and problem solving, we have seen crime decrease over the last 6 years. Through enhanced community partnerships and improved community involvement in crime control issues serious crime decreased another 10% last year.
To meet the challenges of the coming years the Tallahassee Police Department has three "wildly important goals":
- Providing the best public service;
- Improving our crime fighting effort; and,
- Leveraging technology as a tool for success.
We are committed to accomplishing these goals. But, we need your feedback. I invite you to let us know how we're doing.
Executive Services
The Executive Services Unit assists the Chief of Police with department administration, research/planning, program implementation, and grant management. In addition, management oversight is provided for the Office of Professional Standards and the Public Information Office.
The Office of Professional Standards is comprised of two components: accreditation and staff inspections. As the only agency in our area that is nationally accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) and State of Florida accredited through the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA), OPS ensures continuous compliance with all accreditation standards. Members of OPS systematically conduct staff inspections of each unit and function within the Department once every three years. OPS members are also responsible for policy development, line inspections, and conducting quality control surveys.
The Public Information Office is responsible for coordinating the official release of information and activities to the media and the public on behalf of the department. The PIO helps the news media in educating and informing the citizens of the circumstances surrounding current events in the community.
Financial Services
The primary responsibility of the Financial Management Office is to provide fiscal resource management and support service for departmental programs and operations. This includes development and administration of the annual operating and capital budgets; procurement of goods and services; grant and contract monitoring; financial reporting; and supply, equipment and fixed asset management.