Troop F

MAJOR JOHN BAUMANN
TROOP COMMANDER

The Florida Highway Patrol Troop that covers southwest Florida is Troop “F”, based in Bradenton, Florida. Troop F is comprised of ten (10) Counties (Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Lee, Manatee and Sarasota). The Troop is broken down into two (2) regions a Northern Region and a Southern Region. In addition, we have a Special Operations Section that handles Administrative Duties, Traffic Homicide Investigations and our Criminal Interdiction Units.

Troop “F” has a long and proud tradition of excellence, due in large part to the positive and motivated employees that promote our motto of Courtesy, Service and Protection.

Excellent cooperation with Local, State, and Federal law enforcement and governmental entities in the area help us to be very successful in our mission of promoting a safe and secure Florida through professional law enforcement and traffic safety awareness.

Southwest Florida is a continually growing area of the state and there are constantly new challenges in the traffic safety and law enforcement arena for Troop “F” to handle. Through strong relationships with public, private, and non-profit groups, we are able to meet the demands of this growth. As commander of the Troop, I hope that we can be of service to you as either a resident or visitor of southwest Florida.

Captain Conner Cardwell
Northern Region Commander

The Northern Region of Troop F is comprised of Desoto, Hardee, Highlands, Sarasota and Manatee Counties. The Northern District Headquarters is located in Bradenton while a sub district office is located in Venice. The Northern Region is commanded by Captain Conner Cardwell. Other staff includes two Lieutenants, seven Sergeants and fifty-eight Troopers.

Desoto County is a rural county located in the central part of the state. It has a population of approximately 35,000 and serves as a major citrus and cattle community. Arcadia, the county seat, is known for the “All Florida Championship Rodeo.”

Hardee County is a rural county located in the central part of the state. It has a population of approximately 27,500 and serves as a major citrus and cattle community. Wauchula, the county seat, is also known as the “Cucumber Capital of the World.”

Highlands County is located in the central part of the state. It has a population of approximately 98,000 and serves as a popular spot for retirees from the northern states. Sebring, the county seat, is home of the “Sebring International Raceway.”

Manatee County is the northernmost county within the Troop. It has a population of 352,000 and serves as a popular spot for retirees from the northern states. Bradenton, the county seat, was the original home of the “First Florida Highway Patrol Training Academy.”

Sarasota County is located along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. It has a population of 397,000 and serves as a popular vacation destination. One of its cities, Venice, is known for its popular beaches and is considered the “Shark Tooth Capital of the World.”

Captain Mike Gideons
Southern Region Commander

The Southern Region of Troop F is comprised of Broward, Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee Counties to include the I-75 stretch known as Alligator Alley. The Southern Region Headquarters is located in Fort Myers, cohabitated with the Florida Highway Patrol Bureau of Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement and the Department of Transportation. The Southern Region is commanded by Captain Mike Gideons. Other staff includes two Lieutenants, seven Sergeants and fifty-eight Troopers.

Charlotte County is located along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. It has a population of approximately 168,500 and serves as a popular vacation destination. Punta Gorda, the county seat, is known as a retirement destination.

Collier County is located along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. It has a population of approximately 349,000 and serves as a major vacation and retirement destination spot. Naples is the county seat, and home to the Naples Philharmonic Center of the Arts and beautiful beaches.

Hendry County is located in the central part of the state. It has a population of approximately 38,500 and serves as a rural inner coastal community. Labelle, the county seat, is home of the Swamp Cabbage Festival and Sugar Festival.

Glades County is located in the central part of the state. It has a population of 13,000 and serves as a rural inner coastal community. It is also home to the Brighton Reservation. Moore Haven, the county seat, is bordered by Lake Okeechobee.

Lee County is located along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. It has a population of 679,500 and serves as a popular vacation and retirement destination. Fort Myers, the county seat, is known for its popular beaches, FGCU, home of the Edison/Ford Estate and spring training for Major League baseball.

Captain John Donovan
Admin/ Special Operations Captain

Special Operations Captain John Donovan is in charge of the Traffic Homicide Investigation Squads and our Criminal Interdiction Units for the ten County area. In addition to those responsibilities, Captain John Donovan also conducts administrative duties as assigned by the Troop Commander.

The Troop F traffic homicide investigation squads respond to traffic crashes involving all types of traffic related fatalities. All traffic homicide investigators hold the rank of Corporal and are on call during nighttime and off duty hours. The Corporals receive extensive training in traffic accident investigation, commercial motor vehicle accident investigation, motor vehicle accident photography and many other advanced traffic accident reconstruction courses. Traffic homicide investigators each have the responsibility of collecting all available evidence at crash scene and securing and processing the evidence for future criminal court requirements. The results of traffic homicide investigations are used by the local State Attorney’s Offices to prosecute criminal charges such as DUI Manslaughter, Vehicular Manslaughter, as well as routine civil traffic infractions. The members of Troop F’s Traffic Homicide Investigation Squads are a well-trained dedicated group of troopers who take pride in assuring professional results for the citizens of the State of Florida.

The Criminal Interdiction Unit (CIU) is an important function of the Florida Highway Patrol and to the citizens of the State of Florida. The Florida Highway Patrol is tasked by Florida State Statute with many facets of law enforcement. One of the many tasks is to intercept or interdict, those persons endeavoring to transport or traffic in illegal contraband, stolen property, and weapons on our highways. In an effort to fulfill our mandated requirements Troop F currently has three (3) criminal interdiction teams. The Florida Highway Patrol recognizes the danger and difficulty in dealing with this type of criminal offender and encourages the team concept. Consequently, each team is comprised of a Canine Handler, his canine partner, and a Criminal Interdiction Officer (Trooper). The Troop F Criminal Interdiction teams are responsible for a ten (10) county Troop. The Criminal Interdiction Teams complete their mission by rigorous and high volume traffic stops in an effort to enforce the traffic laws of Florida. Before a canine handler can begin his patrol efforts he /she must first complete a 400 hour course with his canine partner. Then a second phase of training may range from 100 hours to 250 hours of drug training. In addition to the initial training, countless hours of specialized training are required to assure that the ever-changing laws regarding search and seizure are adhered to. The teams are on call 24 hours a day and are often tasked with the added responsibility to assist other agencies, which include the Department of Corrections, Sheriff’s Offices, Police Departments, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, and U.S. Customs.

Glenn Hedgecoth
RCC Manager

The Fort Myers Regional Communication Center (FMRCC) is located in Fort Myers. The Fort Myers Regional Communication Center is commanded by a Manager and staffed by five duty officer supervisors and twenty-seven duty officers. We serve the following state law enforcement agencies: Florida Highway Patrol, Department of Law Enforcement, Medicaid Fraud, Division of Insurance Fraud, Department of Environmental Protection Park Patrol, State Fire Marshall, Division of Alcohol and Tobacco.

The Fort Myers Regional Communication Center provides regional support for ten Southwest Florida Counties including Manatee, Sarasota, Hardee, Desoto, Highlands, Hendry, Glades, Charlotte, Lee, and Collier Counties. The Fort Myers Regional Communication Center became operational on August 31, 2002.

Trooper Ken Watson
Regional Recruiter
KennethWatson@flhsmv.gov
Office #: 941-492-5850
Mobile #: 941-408-6130

The Regional Recruiter for Troop F covers the ten counties which makes up southwest Florida. The Florida Highway Patrol provides it members with an exciting career, along with great promotional opportunities. We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. If you are interested in a career with the FHP click on the link below.

More Information on Career Opportunities with the Florida Highway Patrol

Lieutenant Greg Bueno
Troop Public Affairs Officer

The Troop F Office of Public Affairs is responsible for providing information to the public, responding to inquiries from the statewide news media, conducting traffic safety programs and managing various highway safety programs. Request for traffic safety program presentations can be made by contacting Lt. Greg Bueno at 239-225-9605 or E-Mail GregBueno@flhsmv.gov.