Sarasota's New Police Chief: Capt. James Rieser Appointed

SARASOTA, FL — Capt. James Rieser will be the next chief of the Sarasota Police Department, the city announced at a Friday news conference.

Rieser takes on the role after former Chief Bernadette DiPino resigned from the department effective Friday at 5 p.m.

Her sudden resignation came after a complaint was filed following a joke she made about Tasering a mentally ill homeless man who heckled officers during a Nov. 18 Sarasota Opera performance outside Sarasota police headquarters.

An officer who overheard the comment filed a complaint and the city's human resources department was assigned to look into it. When asked about the incident, DiPino admitted to making the comments and was counseled by human resources staff. She submitted her resignation Wednesday.

Rieser, who grew up in the Sarasota area, has worked for SPD since 1992, for nearly 29 years. He’s been promoted many times during his career – sergeant, lieutenant, captain and now chief - and served in all divisions, including patrol, narcotics and professional, City Manager Marlon Brown said at the news conference. Most recently, he served as the commander of the support services division.

The city’s philosophy is to promote from within, which is what led to Rieser’s appointment, Brown said. “We have a talented individual who has grown through the organization, has moved through the ranks.”

He added, “I believe strongly that (Rieser) will serve this community very, very well.”

Mayor Hagen Brody said Rieser has enjoyed “a long and distinguished career, thus far” at SPD, “serving with honesty and integrity.”

Brody added, “This is a world-class police force. Knowledge and experience. Character and integrity runs deep here. Jim Rieser personifies these attributes. He has risen through the ranks through trust and respect and built a reputation through honesty and compassion.”

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“I want to thank you for this opportunity to lead one of the finest police departments in the country. Policing is an extremely noble profession. I do not take this responsibility lightly,” Rieser said.

He added that SPD has “a great future ahead of (it.) We look forward to this new chapter in our history.”

The biggest initiative on the horizon is the implementation of the body-worn camera program for officers that will launch this year.

Related Stories:

• After Taser Comment, Sarasota Police Chief DiPino Steps Down