New Chief Chosen For Sarasota County Schools Police Department: District

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — With Chief Tim Enos retiring after winter break, Sarasota County Schools Police Department has selected his replacement, Superintendent Dr. Brennan Asplen told district employees by email Thursday.

Duane Oakes, currently a lieutenant for the department, has been promoted to serve as the new chief and executive director of of safety and security for the school district starting Jan. 11.

With more than 30 years of law enforcement experience, Oakes boasts “a proven ability to provide ethical, positive and effective policing,” Asplen said. “He values collaborative partnerships among the school district, local law enforcement agencies and community stakeholders to ensure school communities receive the best care and support.”

He's also knowledgeable in school security, modern police administrative principles, crime prevention, and leadership development, the superintendent said.

Oakes earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Colorado Technical University and his Florida Department of Law Enforcement certification from Chipola College. He’s also a graduate of the 215th session of the FBI National Academy and has training as an emergency medical technician from Trinidad State Junior College.

He began working with Sarasota County Schools Police Department when it was first formed in 2018. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2019, Asplen said.

Prior to joining Sarasota County Schools police, Oakes served as a military police officer in the U.S. Army and worked with the Monte Vista Police Department in various roles. He worked his way up to chief of police with the Alamosa Police Department.