Captain Jason Ciaschini was presented his 15-year City service award on May 16, 2012..

Captain Jason Ciaschini started his law enforcement career working in Communications at the Lee County Sheriff's Office in 1993. He was hired by the Punta Gorda Police Department as a police officer on May 5, 1997. Captain Ciaschini became a Staff Officer in January 2000. He was promoted to Sergeant in March 2000, and to Lieutenant in July 2001. He became a Police Commander on October 1, 2002, and a Captain on June 5, 2005.

He currently oversees Support Services, which includes Communications, Records, Community Services, Volunteer Services, Fleet Management, Professional Standards, Staff Inspections, Accreditation, Evidence and Property. Captain Ciaschini also serves as an assessment Team Leader for the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation.

Captain Ciaschini holds a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice and a Master's Degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Management. Thank-you for your service Jason!

Lieutenant Melissa Reynolds was presented her 25-year City service award on May 2, 2012..

Lieutenant Melissa Reynolds joined the Punta Gorda Police Department in 1987, serving as a Dispatcher, Records Clerk, and Police Officer. In 1995, she joined the Road Patrol Unit as a Police Officer after graduating in the top five of her class at the Southwest Florida Public Service Academy. She rose to the rank of Lieutenant, overseeing the Community Relations Unit for many years. Lieutenant Reynolds graduated from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Florida Leadership Academy in 2011. Lieutenant Reynolds has earned numerous certifications including DARE officer and School Resource Officer. She has participated in several specialty units including the Field Training Officer Team, the Underwater Search and Recovery Dive Team and the Mounted Equestrian Unit. She is also an assessor with the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA).

Lieutenant Reynolds has also been deeply involved with community organizations including Drug Free Charlotte County, Crime Stoppers, the Department of Juvenile Justice Council, Neighborhood Watch, Operation Cooper Street and the Punta Gorda Housing Authority. Thank-you for your service Melissa!

Pauline Hayden was presented her 10-year City service award on March 7, 2012..

Pauline was hired on February 25, 2002 and was Employee of the Year in 2003. She completed a four year project involving paper on demand paper-to-digital conversion and Pauline embodies everything we stand for with regard to customer service. Pauline's extra-curricular activies include Relay for Life fundraising, Andrew Widman Memorial Fund fundraising. Pauline serves on a number of department committees and is a member of the newly-established Operational Proficiency Team. Thank-you for your service Pauline!

Lieutenant David Lipker was presented his 15-year City service award on March 7, 2012.

Lieutenant Lipker was hired on February 24, 1997. In 2000 he was promoted to Sergeant and in 2003 he became a Commander (Captain). In June 2008 Lieutenant Lipker left the Captain position for a Sergeant position and in August 2011 he was promoted to Lieutenant. In 1998 Lieutenant Lipker received a Unit Commendation as well as Officer of the Year. In 2008 he received the Exceptional Service Award. Lieutenant Lipker's extra curricular activities include being a power leader, Jammers youth basketball coach, member of The Force sports team, CFA Assessor since August 200 as well as Commissioner of PGPD Fantasy Football league all five years. Thank-you for your service Lieutenant Lipker!