FMPD Roll Call

You see the lights and the marching bands. We see the map that keeps thousands moving, the radios that connect teams across blocks, and the plan that protects every family lining the curb. This week, we take you behind the scenes of how Fort Myers Police Department prepares for the Edison Festival of Light Parade and other major city events—turning complex logistics into a safe, unforgettable night downtown. We walk through how early planning transforms uncertainty into action: estimating cr...

Cops and Joggers turns a night run into a community tradition with heart. We shine a light on what makes this 5K special: a fast, scenic route, an atmosphere for families, and a mission that delivers real help where it matters. Joined by Officer Hughes and Captain Valdivia, we unpack the race’s purpose and impact. Proceeds support the Fort Myers Police Department’s Fallen Officer Memorial Foundation, funding travel for families to National Police Week in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C., and...

We take you inside Fort Myers’ Crisis Response Unit, where trained officers and behavioral health clinicians arrive together to stabilize high-stress situations, listen without judgment, and guide people toward care instead of cuffs. This is a ground-level look at what happens when public safety and mental health pull in the same direction. We talk with Sgt. Antonini, who helped design the program, and Heather Cross from the Center for Progress and Excellence, the partner providing mobile cl...

The room changes when people who’ve seen the worst days talk about building better ones. We sit down with two Army veterans from our training division—Officer Wells and Officer Spencer—who trace a line from deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan to roll call in Fort Myers. Their stories are honest and grounded: why the uniform still matters, how civilian life can feel unstructured, and what it takes to make clear decisions when the pressure spikes and seconds count. We dig into the training phi...

Planning ahead for a safer city takes more than good intentions; it takes the right teams, tools, and training. We sit down with Chief Jason Fields and K9 Sergeant Sanders to unpack the expansion of the Fort Myers Police Department’s K9 unit—what’s changing, why it matters now, and how specialized dogs elevate safety at scale. From 24/7 coverage to new capabilities like gun and explosives detection, we explore how this growth meets the moment for busy events, school safety, and faster, more p...

Fort Myers is growing fast, but the story we’re telling is how safety keeps pace. Chief Jason Fields joins us to open the doors on FMPD’s past, present, and next chapter—why a small city can operate with big-city capability, how leadership changes set a new tempo, and what it takes to modernize without losing touch with the community. From early marshals and two patrol cars to a near fully staffed department supported by a skilled civilian backbone, we map the real systems behind steady crime...