Public Safety Department

The Public Safety Department operates from the Public Safety Building at 103 Bunker Hill Road (old Town Hall) and provides police, fire and rescue and paramedic services within the Town’s municipal boundaries.  All sworn officers are required to be certified in all three fields.  Police activities include ensuring the safety and protection of Town residents and visitors while they are on the island, responding to calls for service or assistance, and enforcing traffic safety laws and regulations.  Fire and rescue activities include fire suppression, investigation and prevention; response to hazardous materials incidents; and response to emergency medical calls.  Emergency medical treatment, trauma, life support and paramedic services are performed with the onsite assistance of Martin County emergency medical technicians and are available to residents around the clock seven days per week.

Chief Ted Gonzales
Public Safety Director
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  • The Director of Public Safety organizes and directs overall operations of the Public Safety Department, analyzes crime prevention and fire safety problems, develops efficient solutions and adjusts departmental methods to meet new situations and to improve existing operations and functions within the department.  He also manages the budget, the disciplinary system, the human resource function, and the leadership system.

Chief Gonzales started to work for the Town in 1980 and is the Town’s longest serving employee.  During his tenure, he has worked his way up through the ranks from Officer to Chief/Public Safety Director.  He has been the Department’s Training Officer, Investigator and Field Training Officer.  In addition, he represented Jupiter Island as an Investigative Agent assigned to the Palm Beach State Attorney’s Money Laundering Task Force.

As an investigator Chief Gonzales was named the “Officer of the Year” by the Palm Beach Post newspaper in 2002 and again in 2005 for serveral high profile identity theft and and financial crimes he investigated.

Chief Gonzales has been studying martial arts since 1974 and has earned his black belts in five different Martial Arts styles.  He presently holds the title of Shihan, 7th Dan. In 2005, he won the “Gold Medal” and was named the United States Tai Kai Champion (Yondan and up Division which is 4th degree or higher) by the Toyama Ryu Batto Do Iaido Association. In addition to working at JIPSD, Chief Gonzales instructs at the Indian River Community College Police Academy as a High Liability specialist since 1989.

Barry Pawlak
Captain
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  • Responsible for administrative duties within the Public Safety Department.  These duties may include technical, administrative, management, investigative, crime prevention, fire prevention, and dealing with the public. 
  • Supervises the dispatchers and road patrol operations
  • Performs other duties and responsibilities required under the job description of      Captain

Richard Matthias
Sergeant
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  • Responsible for supervisory duties on an assigned shift within the Public Safety Department.  These duties may include technical and specialized work in the investigation and prevention of crime, documentation of evidence, fire prevention and suppression, and the protection of life and property.
  • A-B Squad Sergeant
  • Richard is also responsible for fleet maintenance.  He maintains computer records on all public safety vehicle maintenance such as oil changes, tires and various related equipment. 
  • In addition Richard conducts all background investigations on Public Safety Department employment candidates.  He has received specialized training in this field.

Scott Logsdon
Sergeant
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  • Responsible for supervisory duties on an assigned shift within the Public Safety Department.  These duties may include technical and specialized work in the investigation and prevention of crime, documentation of evidence, fire prevention and suppression, and the protection of life and property.
  • C-D Squad Sergeant
  • Sgt. Logsdon is the JIPSD liaison to the Martin County Emergency Operations Center and, as such, will be the department’s main point of contact in the event of disaster. 

Andy Savikas
Special Operations Sergeant
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  • Responsible for Marine Patrol Unit and associated marine and beach patrol equipment
  • Manages and operates marine safety and security patrols along and around Jupiter Island waterfront and beach areas
  • Responsible for fire truck and fire equipment
  • Responsible for any special occasion or operation within the Town

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