Home / Departments / Police including Emergency Management / Department History

Department History

Sanibel Police Chiefs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chief William E. Tomlinson
2002 - Present

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chief Lewis L. Phillips, Jr.
2002 - 1996

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chief Richard H. Plager
1987 - 1996

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chief William E. Trefny
1986 - 1987

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chief John Butler
1974 - 1986

 

 

 

Sanibel Police Department Patches

 

The current patch is depicted here. In 1990, the Sanibel Police Department changed its uniform to gray shirts and dark blue pants. The current uniform is now a blue shirt and dark blue pants with a black stripe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The second patch worn by the Sanibel Police Department members during the 1980's was simple in form- a shield with the Official City Seal in the center. The uniform itself remained tan over dark brown.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The original patch was worn by members of the Sanibel Police Department when the City was incorporated on November 5, 1974. This patch depicted the historic Sanibel Lighthouse and an alligator-two of Sanibel's well known features. The original Sanibel Police Department uniform consisted of a tan shirt and brown pants.