Sarasota Schools Police Chief Abruptly Removed From Job: District

Updated: 8:54 a.m., Monday

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — Sarasota County Schools Police Department abruptly removed Chief Duane Oakes from his position Friday afternoon, according to a news release from the district.

His firing was effective immediately and the district didn’t provide a reason for his removal.

A spokesperson for the district told Patch that "no additional information is available at this time."

Oakes served in the position since January 2021. He took over the role after former Chief Tim Enos, who was elected to the Sarasota County School Board in November, retired.

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Stephen Lorenz, a captain with the department, was appointed acting police chief of the agency by Dr. Allison Foster, interim superintendent for Sarasota County Schools, the district said.

Lorenz began working with the department in August 2019 when he was hired as a lieutenant.

He has more than 35 years of law enforcement experience. He previously served as a security police officer with the U.S. Air Force and worked for the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office and the North Port Police Department.

Lorenz has a permanent teaching certificate in adult education from St. Petersburg College, where he is also pursuing a bachelor’s degree, the district said.

He has more than 8,000 hours of law enforcement-related training, holds numerous high liability and training certifications, and is a graduate of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Future Executive Studies program. He has also served as the coordinator for the Suncoast Technical College Criminal Justice Academy.

He’s received numerous awards and distinctions throughout his career, including the Police Cross, the Law Enforcement Combat Medal and the Law Enforcement Commendation Medal.