Oak Forest Top Cop a Semifinalist for Florida Position

Oak Forest Police Chief Greg Anderson is one of five candidates lined up for a shot at replacing retiring Sarasota chief Mikel Hollaway. 

The city announced Friday morning five semifinalists who will travel to Sarasota for interviews with City Manager Tom Barwin, one-on-one interviews with the commission, public vetting and a community forum.

The candidates are:

• Gregory J. Anderson:  Chief of Police, Oak Forest, Ill., Police Department
• Bernadette A. DiPino:  Chief of Police, Ocean City, Md., Police Department
• Salvatore Ruggiero: Former Major/Division Commander, Tampa Police Department
• Mark A. Teunis: Major/Division Commander; Clearwater Police Department
• Tonya D. Vincent:  Deputy Chief of Police; Richmond, Va., Police Department

Barwin called the candidates "impressive."

“Each one has the critical skill sets required to strengthen and improve trust between the community and our police department.  Now we need to spend some time with each candidate and determine the best fit for the challenges and opportunities ahead," Barwin said. "I’m looking forward to selecting someone with strong professional principles who embraces community policing and has a clear vision to uplift and lead our 175 sworn officers at a time when resources are a challenge.”

Barwin in the process of seeking input from commanders, supervisors and patrol officers within the Sarasota Police Department, according to the city.  

Barwin narrowed the search to five after receiving a list of 13 semifinalists from  Interim City Manager Terry Lewis.  Lewis reviewed applications with the assistance of Deputy City Manager Marlon Brown, Halloway, former Florida Department of Law Enforcement Officer Jim Sewell and Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Col. Steve Burns, according to the city.

Halloway is set to retire at the end of October after 30 years of service with the police department.  

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