Ocala Police Department

911 #HERO! A big shout out to Anthony Pierre of our 911 Communication Center! His efforts helped save a young man’s life during a critical emergency. The incident occurred when a 21-year-old collapsed in the freezer of a Publix, prompting his colleagues to dial 911. Initially, the incident was treated as a traumatic injury. However, Anthony advised the caller to check the patient's breathing and discovered he was in cardiac arrest. With Anthony’s guidance, those on the scene performed CPR and utilized an AED, ultimately saving the young man's life. Well done, Anthony!

JOIN OUR TEAM! At #OcalaPD, our 911 Dispatchers are more than just voices on the line; they are life-saving heroes who work hard to serve our community and first responders. With each emergency call, 911 Dispatchers contribute directly to keeping our citizens safe and ensuring that help arrives when it's needed most. Would you like to join #Ocala PD as a 911 Dispatcher? If you can stay calm under pressure and have a passion for helping others, we invite you to apply for this vital position. You can make a real difference in people's lives—one call at a time! No experience is required; we will provide comprehensive training! Starting pay is $19.23 an hour, and with continued training, you could earn up to $26 an hour. Apply today at: https://lnkd.in/enFNZujt

It's #NationalPoliceWomansDay! Today, we especially honor the hard-working women who have sworn to serve and protect our city as law enforcement officers. 40 women serve the #Ocala #Police Department as sworn police officers, including a major, captains, lieutenants, sergeants, detectives, school resource officers, and patrol officers. Thank you for serving our community with #integrity, #courage, and #character!

During the recent City of Ocala council meeting, our drug unit was recognized for this past year's achievements! Led by the Ocala Police Department, the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team (UDEST) is a collaborative effort involving law enforcement personnel from the Ocala PD, the Marion County Sheriff's Office, the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office, DEA, and Homeland Security Investigations. Their goal is to pursue, disrupt, and dismantle major drug trafficking organizations within Marion County. Throughout the past year, UDEST agents executed 74 search warrants, initiated 10 wiretap investigations, and made 352 arrests during targeted operations. Among those arrested, some individuals were convicted of manslaughter and others received life sentences for drug trafficking offenses. During this time, UDEST seized over $3.4 million worth of drugs and assets, including more than 52 pounds of #fentanyl, 68 pounds of crystal meth, and over 45 pounds of cocaine. Additionally, agents successfully rescued a confidential source from gunmen during a controlled narcotics transaction, apprehending the suspects without firing a shot. These achievements reflect the dedication, tenacity, and personal commitment of the UDEST team. They were recently honored as the 2024 Statewide Drug Unit of the Year by the Florida Narcotics Officers Association—marking the fourth consecutive year for this #award. The members of this team work hard day in and day out, often giving up their weekends and holidays. They operate in a high-risk and technical environment and have been extremely successful in taking dangerous people and illegal drugs off the streets. Congratulations to UDEST! Thank you for making #Ocala and #MarionCounty a safer place for everyone!

We're proud to have Major Greg Martin, a graduate of CF's Criminal Justice program, on our team! With 28 years of experience, Major Martin has built a successful career with the #Ocala Police Department. If you're interested in making a difference in our community, consider joining the College of Central Florida's Criminal Justice program today!

CONGRATULATIONS! Lieutenant Charles Hunt graduated from the Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute's Florida #Leadership Academy this past Friday in Rockledge, FL. Lt. Hunt and 43 other graduates from across the state met for four week-long sessions at the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Training Facility in Titusville, Florida. They learned skills necessary to support the needs of their agencies and their communities as they prepare for future challenges. The goal of the Florida Leadership Academy is to prepare first-line supervisors in criminal justice organizations to exemplify the character and integrity expected of #criminaljustice professionals and to examine the various components necessary to being an efficient leader. The Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute, housed within the Florida Department of #LawEnforcement and affiliated with the State University System, was established in 1990 by the Florida Legislature to address the need for an innovative and multi-faceted approach to the education and training of criminal justice professionals. Congratulations, Lt. Hunt, for achieving this significant accomplishment!

HAPPY RETIREMENT! ?? Congratulations to Officer Dominic Bertalan on his retirement! Ofc. Bertalan began his career with the Ocala Police Department in 2010, after serving for eight years with the NYPD. During his time at OPD, he took on key roles, including a Field Training Officer and a member of the SWAT team. His numerous commendations reflect not only his commitment but also his professionalism throughout his career. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Ofc. Bertalan for his service to the City of Ocala. As he embarks on this new chapter of his life, we wish him all the best in his future endeavors!

WE'RE #HIRING! Are you interested in working with the #Ocala Police Department as a 911 Dispatcher? This critical role puts you on the front lines, assisting our citizens during emergency and non-emergency calls. Your primary responsibility is to ensure our first responders and citizens remain safe and informed. If you are calm under pressure and want to help save lives, consider becoming a #911Dispatcher! No experience is required; we will provide comprehensive training! Starting pay is $19.23 an hour, and with continued training, you could earn up to $26 an hour. Apply today at: https://lnkd.in/eZ67FP9U #JoinOurTeam

SWEARING-IN & PROMOTIONS! #OcalaPD proudly welcomes two new police officers to our family! Congratulations to Officer Ramos and Reserve Officer Leedy. They were both sworn in by Mayor Ben Marciano to serve and protect our community with #integrity, #courage, and #character. Congratulations to all those who were promoted! Casey Eades was promoted to captain. Charles Hunt was promoted to lieutenant, and David Moorehead, Ryan Park, and Mary Williams were each promoted to sergeant. Thank you all for your loyal and dedicated service to our community! #Congratulations! Left to right: Chief Mike Balken, Sgt. D. Moorehead, Lt. C. Hunt, Capt. C. Eades, Sgt. M. Williams, Sgt. R. Park, Ofc. E. Leedy, Ofc. I. Ramos, Mayor Ben Marciano.

We are proud to join first responders, veterans, and our community in today's annual #PTSD Awareness Walk. This event raises awareness about the challenges faced by those who have bravely served us. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental health condition that can arise after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It can affect anyone who has gone through such an experience, including military personnel and first responders who regularly encounter trauma during their service. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms, consider reaching out to a healthcare provider or mental health specialist. They can offer guidance and support. Thank you, Marion County, Florida for hosting this event and spreading this important message. #PTSDawareness