I witnessed what I assume was a "major drug bust" the other day where I counted seven (7) TAC units surrounding three men in a car ( all of them looked as though they might have had $10.00 between them). I am sure it was something "major" because there is no way that that many units would ever respond to a simple traffic stop. I noticed that all of the deputies were wearing this tactical type intimidating uniform. The uniform was all black and their guns where slung in low holsters. They all had on a outer green vest with more strange weapons mounted on it. They looked like soldiers or special forces. One person commented to me that this was the S.W.A.T team and asked what those men had done to make the S.W.A.T. team come after them. I said I don't know but as a reasonable person they definitely look as though they are intimidating those men in that car. In my opinion these uniforms are very intimidating, over bearing and not needed, especially if they are in constant contact with citizens daily. This uniform is not how the SSO should be represented daily. The sheriff himself stated that "crime is down" so why such an intimidated show of force with these uniforms?
In my opinion (which maybe doesn't matter), what is needed is more community policing and crime prevention. All deputies should be dressed in the standard uniform so we appear the same to the public (with exception of K9) or community police deputies should be in a subdued casual dress to allow a more approachable atmosphere for citizens who want to approach them i.e. like a community police officer. This tac unit looks too intimidating for Sarasota and maybe as the new Sheriff you can change the appearance and perception of our agency. Community involvement verses community intimidation. These TAC unit guys can do the same job in a standard uniform with a more professional appearance and perception. The Sarasota Sheriff's Office Deputies need to command a professional appearance daily by wearing the standard uniform with pride, that we all have always worn. The TAC unit should not represent our agency like we are in a battlefield, after all this is Sarasota. LAPD's most aggressive gang unit wears a standard uniform. I think Sarasota TAC can too. Just my opinion.