Public Information Office responds to share critical information with the public and assists journalists with emergencies, and breaking news situations 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The Public Information Office hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Sarasota Police Department, 2099 Adams Lane, Sarasota.  The office is closed on city holidays.  After-hour emails and phone calls will be returned after 8 a.m. the following business day. 

The Public Information Office strives to be responsive and professional, acting in compliance with Florida Public Records Law 119 and in the best interest of the agency.  Routine inquires from media outlets and records requests from journalists will be handled as expeditiously as possible during normal business hours.

After hours and on weekends, the Public Information Office is always on call for emergencies and for significant breaking news events. The PIO will generally not have information regarding non-fatal car crashes, routine arrests, crimes not resulting in death or critical injury, or the status of cases being investigated by other agencies with the assistance from the Sarasota Police Department.

Written records, including arrest affidavits, arrest reports, and event reports are generally not made available to personnel after hours or on weekends and holidays.  Should there be a high profile or large-scale incident after hours, on holidays, or weekends, journalists, media outlets and community members will be notified via email and via Sarasota Police Department social media channels.