Public Safety: Police Department
The mission of the Port St. Joe Police Department is to provide competent and courteous service to all citizens of the community in their homes and places of business, while working toward establishing a community environment characterized by both physical safety and personal freedom.We are committed to providing superior customer service while developing partnerships with community, civic, and business members to help identify and solve problems. Our community's safety and enhanced quality of life are our highest priorities.
Jake Richards is your Chief of Police
Jake Richards was appointed Chief of Police effective October 01, 2020. Chief Richards graduated Port St. Joe High School in 1996. He went to Gulf Coast State College for Corrections and was previously employed with Gulf County Sheriff's Office and Leon County Sheriff's Office. While working in Leon County, Chief Richards attended Tallahassee Community College Pat Thomas Law Enforcement Academy for Law Enforcement.Chief Richards moved back home to Port St. Joe after graduating college and worked for Gulf County Sheriff's Office where he served as a Deputy, Narcotics Investigator, K9 Deputy, Corporal and Sergeant. He began working for The City of Port St. Joe as an Investigator in 2008. Chief Richards has since been promoted to Sergeant in 2013, Lieutenant in 2020, and is now Chief of Police.
Contact Information: Jake Richards, Chief of Police - (850) 227-1414 option 3
For Emergencies, please dial 911
Fundamental Values of the Port St Joe Police Department
- Professionalism - Our Department believes that this community deserves the best and we strive to achieve this with professional and personal excellence. All of our actions are guided by the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics.
- Service - Our Department is dedicated to serving our community, its citizens, and all visitors to our city.
- Justice - Our Department believes in the right to equal and fair treatment under the law.
- As a Law Enforcement Officer, my fundamental duty is to serve mankind, to safeguard lives and property, to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation and the peaceful against violence or disorder and to respect the Constitutional Rights of all men to liberty, equality and justice.
- I will keep my private life unsoiled as an example to all, maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn or ridicule, develop self-restraint and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others. Honest in thought and deed in both my personal and official life. I will be exemplary in obeying the laws of the land and the regulations of my Department. Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or that is confided in me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret unless revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty.
- I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, animosities or friendship to influence my decision. With no compromise for crime and relentless prosecution of criminal, I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear of favor, malice or ill will, never employing unnecessary force or violence and never accepting gratuities.
- I recognize the bade of my office as the symbol of public faith and I accept it as a public trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of police service. I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before God to my chosen profession...Law Enforcement.
Public Safety: Fire Department
Port St. Joe Volunteer Fire Department is staffed by 17 dedicated fire fighters. Firefighters are all trained in First Responder and CPR. The unit includes two Fire Fighters II and five Fire Fighters I, with the remaining members considered Fire Fighters Non-Structure.The department has two Class A Pumpers, one 75 foot Ladder Pumper, one Brush Unit and one Rescue Unit.
The unit is proud to serve their neighbors in Port St. Joe and Gulf County.
Contact Information:
John Ford - 850-229-8261 or jford@psj.fl.gov
For Emergencies, please dial 911