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Interim leader promoted to Treasure Island police chief

Timothy Casey's handling of negotiations with the Sheriff's Office impressed the city manager.

By KATHY SAUNDERS
Published February 19, 2006

TREASURE ISLAND - Timothy J. Casey, a 10-year veteran of the department, was named Treasure Island police chief last week.

Casey, 50, had served as interim chief the past six months, during which the department survived a takeover attempt by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

Mounted on the wall beside Casey's desk is a framed letter asking the city manager to make him the permanent chief. It was signed Dec. 27 by all of the department's officers and support staff.

It states that Casey "for many years, has been the police department's mechanic who has kept this well-oiled machine running."

The officers thanked Casey for the leadership that they credited with leading the department through one of its "darkest moments of almost distinction."

Casey said he was humbled by the letter, which will serve as a constant reminder of his responsibilities as chief.

"I'm under the gun," he said.

The department has a capacity for 20 sworn officers, including Casey, as well as communications and support staff. Currently, two officer positions are vacant. One new officer is scheduled to begin work on Wednesday. Hiring another one is among Casey's priorities as the new chief.

Casey, who will be formally introduced to the community at Tuesday's commission meeting, replaces former Chief Joseph Pelkington, who retired in August after 18 years with the department. The meeting is at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 120 108th Ave. Before joining the department in 1996, Casey had a 20-year law enforcement career with the Ontario County Sheriff's Office in Canandaigua, N.Y.

Casey and his wife of 21 years, Ann, spent their honeymoon in St. Pete Beach and always loved Florida. As soon as he retired in New York, he relocated to Dunedin, where he still lives with his wife and two teenagers. He worked for the traffic engineering department for the city of Dunedin for four years before deciding he wanted to return to law enforcement.

"Treasure Island was the one and only place I applied," he said.

Casey majored in criminal justice at Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua and also trained at the St. Petersburg College Criminal Justice Institute. As a police officer, he has experience in patrol, communications, investigations and traffic control. He also is a state-certified police instructor with experience in hostage crisis negotiations.

Casey was promoted to sergeant in Treasure Island in 1997 while he was still on probation as a newly hired officer. Most recently, he served as the department's administrative sergeant, handling everything from technology upgrades to training and a large-scale renovation of the police headquarters.

"This is a truly professional organization and they (the officers and staff) take their jobs to heart," said Casey.

That's why, he says, the citizens and members of the city commission ultimately rejected the sheriff's offer to merge the department with his operation.

"There was an awful lot of work behind the scenes during that time," he said. "But we have a good reputation, and it's a safe town for our residents."

Citizens who packed City Commission meetings were overwhelmingly in support of Casey and keeping the local police force. Commissioners made that final decision in December.

One of Casey's biggest supporters during the debate was City Manager Ralph Stone.

Even though Pelkington had recommended Casey as his replacement, Stone was inclined to do a national search beginning in January. He said he changed his mind after observing Casey during the sheriff's negotiations and after "a pretty intensive interview process."

"What impressed me was that he was very thorough, very professional and very fair about how he interacted with the sheriff and how he presented the levels of service that we represented here in Treasure Island," Stone said. In addition to filling the department vacancies, Casey said officer training is a high priority.

Stone said he also wants Casey to begin working on earning state accreditation for the department.

[Last modified February 19, 2006, 01:24:35]