Sarasota School District Chooses Chief To Head Internal Police

SARASOTA, FL -- The Sarasota County School District took its first step toward creating an internal police department with the hiring of a police chief.

Pending final approval by the school board, the school district has given the responsibility of putting together the new police force to Paul Grohowski, a former college police chief.

Sarasota School District Seeks Candidates For School Police Force

As school districts around the state grapple with the new state mandate to provide security at all public schools, the Sarasota School Board voted in April to form its own police force.

Grohowsk, who has 22 years of experience in law enforcement, was chosen from more than 20 applicants.

Grohowski will report to Michael Andreas, the executive director of public safety, and will oversee the school-based police force, which will initially include the chief, three police sergeants and 21-24 school resource officers for the 2018-19 school year.

He will also work closely with local law enforcement partners to fulfill existing SRO programs throughout the school district this coming school year.

Grohowski most recently served as the director of public safety and chief of police for the Allan Hancock Joint Community College District Police Department in Santa Maria, California, where he was responsible for the overall public safety of four college campuses throughout Santa Barbara County, serving more than 22,000 students and staff.

"I am thrilled to announce the selection of Paul Grohowski as chief of police," said Todd Bowden, superintendent of Sarasota County Schools. "His skills and tenure in the law enforcement profession are a perfect match for someone to lead the police department, and we are delighted to welcome such as seasoned law enforcement professional to our school district."

Grohowski has experience developing department policy, oversight and accountability processes and managing police forces. He also served as a law enforcement trainer.

Over the course of two years, he will be responsible for establishing a full safety and security police force for the school district.

"I am delighted to have Paul Grohowski serve as the school district's chief of police," said Andreas. "His law enforcement background is the perfect match for our school district, which needs someone who understands the intricacies of working with students. His understanding of selfless service, his dedication to excellence and his commitment to serve all of Sarasota’s diverse communities will enable the school district to establish an exceptional school-based law enforcement agency.”

Prior to his tenure at Allan Hancock College, Chief Grohowski held the position of chief of police with the Adams State University Police Department and served as an adjunct professor at Trinidad State Junior College, both in Colorado. Before his tenure in Colorado, Grohowski worked for the Port St. Lucie Police Department in Florida from 2002 to 2015 where he held numerous positions and was a SWAT team member, sniper and leader for 11 years.

He also worked for the Danbury Police Department in Connecticut from 1996 to 2002.

Grohowski earned his master's degree in public administration and bachelor's degree in professional administration from Barry University in Miami. He also received an associate's degree in criminal justice from Indian River State College in Ft. Pierce.

"I am incredibly humbled by this opportunity and the trust bestowed upon me by Dr. Bowden and Executive Director Andreas," Grohowski said. "My wife Marissa and I are the proud parents of four children, all of whom were educated in Florida public schools; two are Summa Cum Laude graduates of Florida universities.

"As a father, I am keenly aware of the fear children face going to school every day in these unprecedented times and share the concerns of every loving parent who places their trust in us," he said. "It is my goal to provide a safe learning environment so all children can receive the A-rated education that the Sarasota County School District provides. I welcome this greatest of responsibilities to lead a highly trained group of law enforcement professionals to protect our school community with integrity, service and excellence."

Sarasota County Schools is home to 53 schools, 43,000 students and 5,000 employees.

Image via Sarasota County Schools