THE FIRST CALL:
All of our deputies go through rigorous training, but the job doesn’t truly become real until they respond to that first call. That’s when the responsibility becomes real and service becomes a calling for all our agency members.

BEHIND THE SCENES:
At CCSO, everyone works together to protect our community. While our law enforcement officers keep the streets safe, a robust team of 465 civilian staff members work behind the scenes to support and assist them. That includes technicians, IT specialists, administrators and the rest of our professional staff working hand-in-hand with deputies.

In an emergency, our 911 call-takers and dispatcher are often the first people to help. Their calm during chaos offers reassurance when it’s needed most.

Dispatcher Lucia Garcia-Ribeyro found that out on April 13, 2021, when a woman called 911 to report her husband was in cardiac arrest. Garcia-Ribeyro gave first aid instructions over the phone until EMTs arrived. Not only did the man survive, but he and his wife sent flowers and a thank you card on the one-year anniversary.

“We will never forget her and her part in saving his life,” the wife told CCSO.

LEARNING THE COMMUNITY:
Policing is not just about enforcing laws. It’s about building relationships. 

The Corkscrew Middle School Hawks were looking at another winless basketball season _ this time without a coach. CCSO Sgt. Johnny Cisnero and Cpl. Matt Vail stepped in, seizing the opportunity to connect with students in their district and teach lessons that extended beyond the court, while leading the team to the playoffs.

“I know for a fact we made a difference in some of these kids’ lives and most likely changed their perception of ‘cops,’” Sgt. Cisnero said.

TRAINING FOR TOMORROW:
When a Good Samaritan was shot in the chest trying to protect a mother and her children during a domestic incident in Ave Maria in 2024, CCSO Cpl. Richard Jacobs was the first responder on scene.

Cpl. Jacobs immediately began treating the victim, 51-year-old Manuel Milanes, using Quickclot Combat Gauze from the Go Bag in his patrol car. He packed the gunshot wound and maintained steady pressure until the bleeding was controlled.

The Sheriff's Star

Youth Relations Cpl. Alison DiSarro exemplifies the integrity and trust symbolized by the star she wears. For more than 20 years, she has shown up at Collier County schools – the last 10 years at Naples High School, every school day, building relationships, mentoring students, and providing a steady caring presence. Her long-standing commitment reflects the true service to Collier County’s youth and community. 

Safe Communities Don't Happen by Accident

Safe roads don’t happen by accident. They are the result of consistent presence, preparation, and partnership. CCSO is proud to work alongside the Florida Highway Patrol. Our Safety & Traffic Enforcement Bureau deputies regularly collaborate with FHP troopers on operations promoting safe driving and lawful activity on our roads. From commercial vehicle safety checks to school zone speed enforcement and from DUI patrols to highway interdiction operations targeting traffickers and criminals who use the I-75 corridor to move narcotics and contraband into Southwest Florida, deputies and troopers work together to prevent crashes and protect lives. That level of safety doesn’t happen by chance.

Each shift begins with a briefing where deputies come together to share information, expectations and responsibility. Here, as the sun sets outside of our District 8 substation in Immokalee, Sgt. Cluchey meets with the overnight patrol deputies as they discuss how they will serve and secure their beats for the next 12 hours. These briefings set the tone for respectful, professional service to our community.

Respect is Standard

Professionalism means treating everyone with dignity, regardless of circumstances. Deputies understand that respect builds cooperation and trust, even during difficult moments. After receiving a speeding citation, the driver was so impressed with Corporal Harle’s respectful manner that he wrote us this public commendation:

“The Deputy was courteous and polite. He chose not only to be a cop but a Peace Officer and a stellar Civil Servant. We shook hands at least twice and he was kind enough to impede traffic so I could get across a few lanes to my lefthand turn. Do I like paying speeding tickets? No. Do I hope every future interaction with law enforcement is handled with the level of courtesy and professionalism demonstrated today? Oh yeah.”

A Knock at the Door

Sometimes service begins with a welfare check, a knock to ensure someone is OK. And sometimes that knock is what saves a person’s life.

We recently received a note that started “Two weeks ago I tried to kill myself. I was saved by the four deputies who came pounding on my door.” Those deputies didn’t give up, they knocked, knocked, and knocked again. They finally made entry with the help of a concerned friend who had a key. That friend had reached out to 911 after receiving what they fear was a suicide note.

We care. Your friends care. If you need help, call or text 988.

Training for Calm

In a safe community, the expectation is consistency and calm. CCSO deputies train in a variety of ways, not just to protect themselves and the public in dangerous situations, but also to help de-escalate situations involving an individual in crisis. This video shows just a glimpse of that training. 

Public safety looks different at every stage of life. From supporting young families to mentoring students in schools to checking on our senior neighbors, we are committed to serving all of Collier County. We’re here to meet the needs of every generation.

Before a hurricane ever makes landfall, our Fleet Services and Procurement bureaus are already hard at work. Fleet ensures Patrol and other essential agency vehicles are serviced, fueled and storm-ready, while Procurement secures vital supplies – from generators and fuel to food, water and medical gear. Their behind-the-scenes work keeps deputies moving, equipped and ready to serve our community when it matters most.

A field training officer’s quiet leadership is where an agency’s standards and values are often formed. The FTO leads with presence, not rank. They stay calm when a trainee is overwhelmed, correct in private and genuinely check in after a difficult call. Their quiet leadership doesn’t just train deputies to do the job, it teaches them how to be deputies.

From Summerfest to Cool Winter Nights and everything in between, Collier County Sheriff’s Office community events bring deputies and residents together beyond the badge. These moments build trust, strengthen relationships, and create meaningful connections because strong community partnerships are the foundation of public safety.

Measure of Service 

Our service to our community isn’t measured by crime statistics alone – it’s also measured by the confidence that help is always nearby. That was the case last school year when Youth Relations Bureau Cpl. Elda Hernandez noticed a student choking during lunch at Highlands Elementary School in Immokalee. Because Cpl. Hernandez was nearby, she was able to act fast, performing the Heimlich maneuver on the student and saving her life. Cpl. Hernandez earned a Life Saving Award for her act, and Novalynn (shown here) is now thriving. 

Our deputies are in the community every day, learning the rhythms of the neighborhoods they keep safe. Here our District 3 deputies interact with residents at a recent Coffee With A Cop event in East Naples. CCSO regularly holds these events around the county to get to know the problems and concerns of citizens. These bonds allow deputies to address the needs of the neighborhood.

The Value of Consistency

Service means showing up every day, without fail, to help the community. Our duty officers Cpl. Chuck Campbell (left) and Cpl. Ervin Garriga (right) are the epitome of consistency. Cpl. Campbell has been with CCSO for 48 years. Cpl. Garriga has been here 20 years – all of them spent in the duty office, which serves as the welcome desk for residents at our headquarters. Including their previous law enforcement experience, Cpl. Campbell and Cpl. Garriga have a combined 95 years of public service. They offer a steady presence of safety for anyone needing help at CCSO.

Courtesy as a Practice

“How can I help you?”

On average CCSO dispatchers answer roughly 1000 calls per day. 1000! About 400 of those are emergency calls to 911 and the remaining are non-emergency calls.

Yes, they are efficient. The jobs requires it. But courtesy isn’t optional; it’s practiced daily. Polite words and patience reflect respect for the community and the badge.

School Zones and Sidewalks

This is Marina Trejo. Marina serves in the Immokalee community as a crossing guard at Pinecrest Elementary. And every day, Marina serves with a smile. Like Pete at East Naples Middle School and Lisa at Pelican Marsh Elementary, her mission is to ensure children arrive safely to school—one of the simplest and most important forms of service that CCSO provides.

Care, Custody, Control

The job of our Correctional Officers is to maintain the care, custody and control of inmates at the Naples Jail Center. However, Deputy Garrett Nottle took that role to the next level. After working a 12-hour shift, Deputy Nottle found two baby bunnies in the cold rain outside the jail. The bunnies showed signs of distress, so Deputy Nottle wrapped them in a warm towel and took them to the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, where they recovered. Deputy Nottle showcased the care, custody, and control that CCSO uses to serve our community.

Dispatch at Dawn

While Collier County is sleeping, CCSO’s Emergency Communications Center is helping to keep the community safe. We have telecommunicators working around the clock. Before the sun comes up, our team of dispatchers are preparing to start the dayshift, taking over for those who manned our 911 and non-emergency phone lines overnight. At this predawn shift briefing, critical information is passed on from the night shift to ensure continuity of operations.

A Community That Cares

We rely on our relationships with the community to keep Collier County safe. Reporting concerns early helps us address any issues. That’s why Sheriff Rambosk encourages everyone to contact us whenever they see suspicious activity. If you see it, say it, or send it by texting 911.

Beyond the Call

Bambi Paolucci’s wedding ring (and band) flew off her finger in a Naples parking lot as she was getting her kiddo into her van. The jewelry just seemed to disappear. According to Bambi, after hours of searching, two heroes arrived in the form of CCSO Community Service Deputies. CSDs Jakob Kowal and Isabel Muguerza scoured the parking lot, chatted up nearby folks, and even helped wield the metal detector Bambi got in a last-ditch effort to help find her beloved rings. CSD Muguerza suggested returning later in the dark with a flashlight (to catch the reflection) and that turned out to be the key! Despite a little damage, the beloved jewelry was found.

“Words cannot fully express how grateful I am that Collier County has officers like Deputies Muguerza and Kowal serving and watching over our community. Their dedication, kindness, and humanity exemplify what community policing truly means.”

Hometown Heroes

In this Sunday’s Super Bowl, Collier County’s own D’Ernest Johnson (center in this photo) could win a championship ring as a member of the New England Patriots. But before he was a seven-year NFL veteran, Johnson grew up in Immokalee being coached and mentored by CCSO deputy Tim Howell (right).

Deputy Howell was raised in Immokalee, then hired as a Youth Relations Deputy in 1984 and assigned to Immokalee High School. He’s spent the past 35 years coaching football in his hometown and has now coached three players who have appeared in the Super Bowl.

“I have been blessed with many wins in coaching, but my greatest reward is watching my boys grow into responsible young men and earn their high school diplomas,” Deputy Howell said. “That is the true victory, and it is the reason I continue to serve this community by wearing the badge or coach's hat with pride.”

Respecting Privacy

Upholding privacy while maintaining transparency isn’t a contradiction. It’s a commitment.

We proudly comply with Florida Statute 119, which requires certain information to be redacted before records are released (e.g., victim contact information. That responsibility is shared across multiple teams, including Redactions, Media Relations and Central Records. And it takes eagle eyes and patience.

It also goes beyond reviewing written reports to carefully examining photos and video—frame by frame—to ensure sensitive information is protected while the public stays informed.

Transparency matters. Privacy matters. We are committed to doing both—accurately, lawfully, and with care.

Listening First

Listening. It’s a critical part of the job for Crisis Call Diversion Counselor Meghan Ptaszynski. Deputy Ptaszynski and her fellow diversion counselors are members of our Behavioral Health Bureau who work in our 911 Center.  They have backgrounds in the behavioral health profession and work alongside Dispatchers answering 911 and non-emergency calls.

“When someone calls 911 chances are they’re already not having a good day” she said. “If they’re panicking, I listen to them and talk to them and help them stay calm until deputies arrive. Those are my favorite calls because I feel like I’m really making a difference for someone.”

Supporting Victims

They offer a hand to hold, a shoulder to lean on and an ear to listen. CCSO Victim Advocates work around the clock helping victims cope with the crisis they are facing. From responding to crime scenes to supporting victims through court cases that can last years, they provide compassion, resources and guidance, allowing detectives to focus on investigating while victims are never left to navigate the process alone.

Teamwork Across Shifts

At CCSO, when one Patrol shift ends another begins. In fact, it never ends. Ensuring continuous service through shift work is essential for maintaining safety and accountability. For example, a  car break-in that happened on the night shift is handled seamlessly as one shift hands off to the next, ensuring the victim still receives a timely and thorough response.

Supporting Each Other

Twenty years of knowledge, experience, and a smile. Jill Tracy works at the front desk in our North Naples substation and for many residents, she is their first interaction with the Sheriff’s Office. Her favorite part of the job, she says, is solving problems. It makes her the perfect fit. She stays busy answering just about every question under the sun and those unique to her district. Here are some she gets daily:

• How do I report identity theft?
• Where can I get an out-of-state VIN verification form?
• Can I pay my ticket here?
• Where do I go for fingerprints?
• Can I have my dog on the beach?

And for those curious …

• To report ID theft, go to colliersheriff.org and click the “File a Report” button.
• For out-of-state VIN verification, download Form HSMV 82040 and bring the completed form, the out-of-state title (or registration), and proof of Florida insurance to the local tax collector’s office. 
• To pay a traffic citation, go to collierclerk.com and click “Make a payment”.
• Fingerprinting takes place Tuesdays 9-11 a.m. and Thursdays 1-3 p.m. at 2373 Horseshoe Drive N. (enter through the west lobby).
• Dogs are not permitted at Collier County beaches.

Katherine Campo consistently goes above and beyond, frequently showcasing her talent by singing the national anthem at various events. She is also known for taking extra steps in her role as Records Specialist.

Behind every case at CCSO is a system of accountability. Evidence Technicians safeguard property and information with precision, patience and attention to detail. Each piece tells a story.

When the signal is clear, so is the mission. Justin Koval (right), manager of our Communications Technology Bureau, and equipment specialist Seth Braun work to make sure the signal stays crisp across the airwaves. The Communications Technology Bureau maintains 3,000 deputy radios and 1,800 administrative phone lines here at CCSO. Manager Koval and his team also frequently respond to areas across the Southeastern United States that have been hit by storms and help them restore communications.