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Promoted officers have hefty resumes

The lieutenant and two sergeants have vast experience throughout the Police Department as well as military training and service.

By JILL ANN PERRINO
Published February 14, 2006

LARGO - They have held a wide range of police positions with ever-increasing responsibilities and demanding greater skills.

One used to be a lawyer. All three have served in the military. One still does.

"Can you believe their backgrounds?" police Chief Lester Aradi said of his recently promoted staff members: Lt. Brad Seale, Sgt. Tom Carvella and Sgt. Matt Evans.

Seale, 45, came to the department in 1993, moving from patrol officer to field training officer in less than two years. By 1998, he was promoted to sergeant, a rank with which he has worked in patrol operations, investigations and internal affairs. He has extensive experience as a member of the Tactical Apprehension and Control Team, for which he serves as a sniper. Seale is a certified firearms, motorcycle and bicycle instructor.

His background includes 12 years in active and reserve duty with the Army, where he rose to the rank of senior weapons sergeant on a Special Forces "A" Team. His schooling includes a bachelor's degree in business from Louisiana Tech University and a master's degree in criminology from the University of South Florida.

Seale beat out five other candidates for the position. The last time one of the five lieutenant positions came open was in May 2004, Lt. Brenda Wayt said.

Seale said he is proud to be part of the Largo Police Department, that he looks forward to his new duties and that he enjoys working in law enforcement.

"I can't imagine myself being anything else but a police officer," he said. "This is the job for me."

* * *

Carvella has been a patrol officer, a special investigator and a school resource officer since joining the Police Department in 1997. He is also a TAC Team sniper. He has a bachelor's degree from Florida State University.

With the Army Special Forces, he holds the rank of assistant operations and intelligence sergeant. He served in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom and has earned the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

He is in Anniston, Ala., for military training and was unable to comment on his recent promotion.

* * *

Evans, 42, was a lawyer in private practice and a part-time instructor at Pasco-Hernando Community College before joining the Police Department in 2000. With the department, he has served as a patrol officer, a field training officer and a law instructor.

Evans earned a bachelor's degree from the University of West Florida and a law degree from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in Birmingham, Ala. He served in the Marine Corps as a member of a helicopter air crew from 1981 to 1986.

After nearly 10 years as a criminal defense lawyer, Evans said he's happy to have found a career that fits him better and makes him feel good. He related a story about a resident thanking him for all he does.

"You never get that as a lawyer," he said.

He said he looks forward to the added responsibilities of his new position and increased training opportunities.

In addition to these promotions, there were three other promotions in the fall: Sgts. Bill Shaw, Michael Bruno and Ryan Dulski.

"I'm blown away by the talent of this organization," Aradi said. "This agency is peppered with unique and talented individuals."

[Last modified February 14, 2006, 02:45:31]