About the Perry Police Department
A Message from the Chief
Our Mission
The Mission of the Perry Police Department is to Protect Life, Individual Rights and Property of all Members and Visitors to our Community.
Whether you’re a longtime resident, just passing through, or wondering if a career in law enforcement might be the right fit for you, I want this page to tell you who we actually are — not just what we say we do.
About Our Department
We’re a small department in a small town — the Tree Capital of the South, sitting right in the heart of Florida’s Nature Coast, about 7,000 people — and that means most of us know this community by name, not by case number. It also means that if you join this department, you won’t spend years waiting for real responsibility. You’ll have it early, working alongside officers who know this town inside and out.
Public safety isn’t something we can do by ourselves. It depends on trust, and trust isn’t something you earn once and keep forever — you earn it call by call, day by day. That’s the standard every person in this department, sworn officer or civilian staff, is expected to meet, and it’s the same standard we look for in anyone who wants to wear this uniform.
Dignity. Whoever we’re dealing with — a victim, a witness, someone having the worst night of their life — they’re somebody’s family. We try to treat people that way, even when it’s hard.
Integrity. We tell the truth, including about our own mistakes. Especially about our own mistakes. Cutting corners isn’t worth what it costs us later.
Respect. Perry isn’t made up of one type of person, and we don’t police it like it is. Listening is part of the job, not a courtesy we extend when it’s convenient.
Courage. Sometimes that means an officer walking toward danger instead of away from it. More often it means the quieter kind — admitting fault, having the hard conversation, doing the right thing when the easy thing was sitting right there.
Where We’re Headed
Our vision is to partner with our community, providing a professional police agency, allowing us to make the city of Perry an excellent place to raise a family and that is safe for all.
Policing has changed since most of us put on the uniform for the first time, and it’s going to keep changing. New technology, new expectations, new ways for people to reach us when they need to. Keeping up with that means investing in training and people, not just equipment — so if you’re looking for a department that takes professional development seriously, that’s part of what we’re building here.
If you live in Perry, work here, or you’re just passing through, I hope that comes across in how we treat you. And if you’re reading this because you’re weighing a career in law enforcement, I’ll be straightforward: we’re looking for people who want real work in a real community, not just a paycheck. For more information on career opportunities and how to become a police officer, visit the “Join Our Team” section of our website. We’d like the chance to talk with you about it.
Thank you for trusting us with the job of keeping this town safe.
Chief Jamie Cruse
Perry Police Department
