Community Involvement

North Port Police Explorer Program (Post #94)

The leaders of tomorrow, assisting law enforcement today.

The North Port Police Department Explorer Program provides youth with an opportunity to learn about law enforcement through education, observation, and community involvement. Explorers work alongside North Port Police Officers in a safe, structured environment designed to promote leadership, teamwork, and civic responsibility.

Police Explorers are non-sworn, unarmed civilian volunteers with no law enforcement authority.

Mission

The mission of the North Port Police Department Explorer Program is to build positive relationships between law enforcement and youth while providing educational exposure to the policing profession. The program emphasizes integrity, responsibility, community service, and personal development, while encouraging participants to explore careers in law enforcement and public service. The Explorer Program does not discriminate based on race, creed, religion, gender, or background.

Program Activities

Explorers participate in a variety of supervised, educational activities, including:

· Weekly Meetings & Educational Sessions Classroom-based instruction and discussions focused on law enforcement operations, leadership, ethics, and teamwork.

· Law Enforcement Exposure Observational and scenario-based learning related to patrol functions, traffic stops, crash investigations, criminal law concepts, and public safety operations.

· Community Service & Special Events Participation in city and department events throughout the year in support roles that benefit the community.

· Ride-Along Program Eligible Explorers may participate in police ride-alongs, after meeting all program requirements and approvals.

· Competitions & Special Opportunities to participate in Explorer-related events and competitions, as available.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

· Be 14 to 20 years of age

· Be currently enrolled in high school at the time of application (Graduates in good standing may continue participation until age 20)

· Maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA

· Demonstrate satisfactory school attendance

· Be good moral character, with no felony arrests or misdemeanor convictions involving moral turpitude, domestic violence, perjury, or false statements.

• Successfully complete:
• An application and selection process
• Background investigation and fingerprinting
• CJIS Security & Privacy requirements
• A 90-day probationary period
• Attend weekly meetings and maintain satisfactory attendance

Certain applicants may be deemed ineligible based on failure to meet program standards or eligibility criteria.

Interested in Joining?

Individuals interested in becoming a Police Explorer should complete the Explorer Application(DOCX, 181KB)  and submit it to Senior Advisor Sergeant Shannon Fortuno at sfortuno@northportpdfl.gov. For additional information or questions, Sgt. Fortuno may be contacted at 941-429-7423.

Helping
Ensure
Active
Response by
Telephoning
Seniors

The HEARTS Program was initiated by the North Port Police Department to help ensure the welfare of our senior citizens.

The program is intended for seniors age 60 and over who may live alone, be disabled, have little or no contact with others on a daily basis, or may have a medical condition that makes them vulnerable.

The HEARTS Program utilizes trained volunteers to place wellbeing calls to seniors daily. Calls are made Monday through Sunday between the hours of 7 am and 8 am. If the call recipient does not answer the phone, volunteers are trained to take necessary steps, which may include contacting a list of emergency contacts or dispatching emergency personnel. Program participants must be a North Port resident and complete an application (see bottom of page).

Participants may be referred by family, friends, social workers, discharge planners, clergy and other organizations serving the needs of the elderly. Target participants include those who may not have local friends or family, who may not be able to get out of the house easily or those who could benefit from knowing that someone in the community cares about their wellbeing.

In addition to program participants, volunteers are needed to place calls. Applications may be found at the bottom of this page.

Program Guidelines

Our goal is to utilize volunteers to place a wellbeing call Monday through Sunday to program participants to ensure they are okay.

Who Can Participate

• Seniors age 60 and over
• Must live in the City of North Port
• Seniors who may live alone, disabled, have little or no social contact with others on a daily basis or may have a medical condition that may make them vulnerable.

The North Port Police Department is concerned with the safety and welfare of all of our citizens and especially those who are in need of a little extra care and attention for our senior citizens. Seniors are valuable to us and our city! We welcome any and all questions about the program. Feel free to contact the program coordinator Mandy Lorenz at (941) 429-7341.

Application to receive calls(DOCX, 105KB)

Application to make calls(DOCX, 187KB)

Volunteers aid in the overall efficiency of our departments. With greater demands placed today, volunteers are absolutely vital to ensure that our departments have the time to focus on their key tasks. Volunteers are not utilized to replace personnel or other paid positions within the City of North Port, but rather to enhance the efficiency of the departments. As a result, this maximizes the effectiveness of personnel. The City of North Port values our volunteers and is very appreciative of their skills and commitment to the community.

Volunteer Service Aides

The City of North Port has a team of Volunteer Service Aides who help with everything from traffic control to community outreach. 

Volunteer of the Year

2024 Volunteer of the Year- Gary Anderson

2023 Volunteer of the Year- Ruby Duclet 

2020 Volunteer of the Year - Larry Burns

2019 Volunteer of the Year - Mark Rizzo

2018 Volunteer of the Year - Julia Lozano

2017 Volunteer of the Year - Adam Mandel

For more information about our volunteer program, please contact SFortuno@northportpdfl.gov

The Citizens Public Safety Academy is a 13-week program designed to provide community members with an inside look at the operations of the North Port Police Department and North Port Fire Rescue. During the CPSA experience, participants will learn about and take part in hands-on training, including investigations, fire safety, CPR, firearms, TASER, defensive tactics, fire extinguisher use, and fire apparatus deployment. The academy begins on April 1, 2026, and concludes on June 25, 2026. View the full class schedule (PDF, 186KB)here(PDF, 186KB).

In addition:

• Drone Training
• K9 experience
• Community Policing
• City Manager meet and greet
• Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Vega meet and greet
• State Attorney Ed Brodsky meet and greet
• NPPD Special Response Team Unit & Bearcat experience

To apply to the Citizens Public Safety Academy, please complete this form(PDF, 206KB) and return to the City of North Port Police Station located at 4980 City Hall Boulevard, North Port, FL 34286. You can also call Ivette Barnes at 941-429-7339 or email ibarnes@northportpdfl.gov for questions or to submit forms online.

Project Lifesaver: Helping Protect Those at Risk of Wandering

Project Lifesaver is dedicated to ensuring a swift response to locate and assist individuals, both children and adults, who are prone to wandering due to cognitive conditions such as Alzheimer’s, autism, or other developmental disorders. Our agency responds to missing person cases approximately every two weeks, making this program a vital resource for our community.

How It Works

Eligible residents receive a wearable tracking device in the form of a bracelet or necklace. To qualify, participants must meet the following criteria:

• Must reside in North Port

• Must have a documented medical diagnosis related to cognitive impairment

• Must have a 24/7 caregiver

• Must be able to wear the tracking device at all times

• The caregiver must agree to and follow all program guidelines

Program Costs

• One-time enrollment fee: $300

• Annual maintenance fee: Approximately $100 (covers replacement bands, batteries, and servicing)

Participation in Project Lifesaver can make all the difference in a moment of crisis, helping bring your loved ones home safely and quickly.

If you or someone you know needs this valuable resource, please contact the Community Policing Unit by emailing CommunityPolicing@northportpdfl.gov.

Do the Right Thing of North Port, Inc. is a combined effort of the North Port Police Department, City of North Port, the North Port Kiwanis Club and corporate sponsors, to honor youth in our community, on monthly basis, who distinguish themselves by their exemplary behavior. Fill out a nomination form and bring it to a School Resource Officer or mail it to the North Port Police Department at 4980 City Hall Boulevard, North Port, FL 34286.