Gulfport Police Chief Celebrates One Year Anniversary

“If I could have that affect on someone, it would be cool,” Gulfport Police Chief Robert Vincent said.

For the past 17 years Chief Robert Vincent has been enforcing the law and protecting the community as a member of the Gulfport Police Department. But this past year has been a true test of his leadership and experience as he took on the new responsibility as Chief of Police. February 26^th is Vincent’s one-year anniversary as Gulfport Police Chief.

“I think it’s gone pretty well, we’ve accomplished a lot,” Vincent said.

INSPIRATION

Vincent’s inspiration to become an officer stemmed from a run in with the law when he was just 8 years old. A young Robert Vincent was caught throwing rocks through windows in Pinellas Park. He says he knew it was wrong, even then. But, he’s proud to say that was the last time he ever got in trouble with a person in uniform. Vincent realized that officer’s actions and words helped push him in the right direction. That incident stuck with Vincent and the memory returned when Vincent contemplated becoming an officer as a young adult.

“If I could have that affect on someone, it would be cool,” Vincent said.

LIFE JOURNEY

A few years later, Vincent’s life experiences would thrust him into responsibility earlier than most teenagers. His mom passed away when he was 14 years old and authorities awarded custody of him and his younger sister to his older brother, who at the time was 18 years old.

“I kind of realized, I needed to do something,” Vincent said.

When Vincent graduated from Gibbs High School in 1990 he went on to Florida Southern College in Lakeland on an ROTC Scholarship. But, after the first field training exercise, he decided it wasn’t for him. He transferred to St. Petersburg College and (over time) paid back the scholarship. Vincent earned an Associate’s Degree in 1992. About a year later Vincent enrolled into the Police Academy, spent 19 weeks in training and worked multiple jobs on the side, it was during this time that he met his future wife. In May of 1994, at the age of 21, Vincent was hired on as a Gulfport Police Officer.

It wasn’t until Vincent became a Lieutenant in 2001, that he first thought about eventually becoming Chief. He decided that he would strive for that goal. In 2006 he completed the FBI National Academy 11-week course and earned a Master’s Degree in 2008 from USF.

Vincent received hands on experience as one of two acting chiefs throughout 2009. He alternated the responsibilities with another Lieutenant until he was finally appointed Gulfport Police Chief by the City Manager in February 2010.

“I guess, to me, my first initiative was . . . we can finally start getting the work done,” Vincent said.

FIRST YEAR

Chief Vincent hit the ground running during his first year as tenure. The first order of business was a survey for the public. The Chief wanted to know what the community thought of the department, how to bridge the gap between statistics and perception and to find out the most pressing problems in the city.

“I want to police the way residents want to be policed. I don’t want just the police to be the response,” Vincent said.

Based on that survey the department made a few changes.

-Remapped Patrol Zones, allowing one officer to become more familiar with a neighborhood and help spread out areas of crime among the zones.

-Patrol Sergeants participated in one community event a year.

-Reorganized the response letter in the detective unit to keep people informed of what the department is doing to solve their case.

-Secured funding and hired another Student Resource Officer for Boca Ciega High School

Vincent also secured a grant for a new Community Police Officer, started the Intersection Safety Program (red light cameras) and started collaboration with Gulfport’s Police Department’s Special Enforcement team and the St. Petersburg Police Department, resulting in 3 operations and 12 arrests in 2010.

The Chief has also increased communication within the department and within the community. In 2010, Vincent started a blog. The department started a Facebook page and internal newsletter. Lastly, the department signed up for the Media Alert program, which sends out email alerts and press releases to those who subscribe in order to keep the public informed.

The department also revised the Mission Statement in 2010 to include three words: Quality, Community and Professionalism. Vincent says this easily explains what the department stands for.

FUTURE GOALS

Chief Vincent has no plans on slowing down in 2011. Vincent says he wants to reduce crime and fear of crime in the 49^th St. area, increase police community involvement, reduce serious injury accidents at signal intersections, and maintain the crime clearance rate of 20% for the Gulfport Police Department.