Q. Who is the Chief of Police?
A. Stoney Lubins is the Chief of Police. He has been with the department since 1992, becoming chief in 2001. He worked with the Eustis Police Department and was a Paramedic and volunteer firefighter.
Q. How many officers are in the Department?
A. The Department currently has 31 sworn and 11 civilians.

Q. How many calls does the department respond to?

A. The department is estimated to run around 30,000 callls for 2007.
Q. What is the population of Tavares and where is it located?
A. Tavares has approximately 12,500 residents, the immediate urban area population exceeds 40,000 and Lake County is approximately 280,000. The city forms a part of a "triangle" in which the cities of Eustis and Mount Dora form the other sides. Tavares is located approximately 30 miles northwest of Orlando. The metro Orlando area is approximately 2 million.
Q. I received a traffic ticket, where do I pay?
A. You should pay the ticket either by mail or in person to the Clerk of the Court. The reverse side of the ticket will have information regarding payment. You can also call the courthouse or this Department for more information. The courthouse telephone number is (352)742-4133 and the mailing address and location is at 550 West Main Street, Tavares, FL 32778.
Q. I received a ticket and I don't think it is fair. What can I do?
A. If you received a ticket and you feel that it was issued in error, then we encourage you to contact the traffic department at the courthouse and set up a hearing before a judge. The telephone number for more information is (352)742-4133. The police department can not void or mitigate citations once they are issued.
Q. Why do officers shine so many lights when they stop a vehicle?
A. Officers are trained to utilize lighting techniques to illuminate a vehicle for the safety of themselves and the occupants of the vehicle, and it is not meant to be something that is annoying or a form of harassment.
Q. Why can't officers resolve or intervene in a civil matter?
A. Officers generally do not actively get involved in civil disputes as they are not empowered by state statute to do so. These incidents are best dealt with by contacting an attorney or the courthouse. However, do not hesitate to call for an officer in any situation, as he/she will recommend some options available to you.
Q. Can I have an officer check on a license plate, drivers license or if someone has a warrant?
A. State and Federal regulations prohibit officers from using the computer to retrieve information not related to investigative or official purposes, and the information can only be shared with law enforcement entities.
Q. I'll be leaving for vacation and I'm concerned about my vacant house. Can you Help?
A. The Department has a house check program where officers will frequently check on you residence while you are gone. You will need to fill out a form in the event the officers need to contact you while you are away. Call (352)742-6200 for more information.
Q. If I have a complaint against an officer, what should I do?
A. The Department is committed to maintaining a professional force; and in this regard if anyone has a complaint concerning an officer's actions, they are encouraged to speak with a Department representative about the incident. No one should feel that any sort of retaliation will come as a result of complaint. The department will diligently investigate the complaint and implement corrective measures if they are warranted.
Q. Why do I see officers speeding all over the place?
A. The Department Policies are specific about an officer's driving habits, and forbids any violation of speed that is not related to police duties. Officers are allowed, as set by statute and Department Policy, to exceed at times, the speed limit only as it relates directly to a police call.
Q. What can I do to help the officers and the community in its goals and objectives?
A. We encourage everyone to become involved in their community. You can belong to a Crime Watch Program, or a youth project. Feel free to contact the Department and speak with a representative for more details. (352)742- 6200.
Q. I received a telephone call soliciting funds for a police group, should I donate?
A. The Department does not solicit funds via the telephone or any other method, nor do they authorize or sponsor any entity to solicit donations on their behalf. If they ask for funds and mention the Tavares Police, then hang-up. The vast majority of telephone solicitations are illegal. The only exception is the Lake County Police Charities, Inc. The department does partner with this organization for community service.
Q. It seems like the police only try and catch speeders? Shouldn't they be out catching "real" criminals?
A. In our community one of the top three citizen complaints are aggressive drivers and speeders. It is our duty to ensure and protect all people that live or visit the city. Sadly, in Lake County, the number of traffic fatalities have risen. The greatest daily risk to the public is aggressive driving. More lives will be impacted from some of these senseless and totally avoidable incidents than any of the "classic" crimes such as robbery and murder. The department takes a holistic approach to ensure safety for its residents and visitors.
Q. Do officers have quotas? Doesn't the police department make money from writing tickets?
A. No. Officers are expected (and do) diligently respond when they see an infraction. A large misconception is that the police department "makes" money from tickets. In reality, the department does receive a small amount of money that is ear marked for training and computer expenses via state statute. Some money is sent back to the City's general fund. However, the amount of "revenue" is inconsequential considering the totality of the departments budget. It is more important that we focus on improving safety on the highways, and all traffic initiatives are done with this in mind.
Q. Does the department have Tasers?
A. The department issues Tasers to its officers. All officers that carry a Taser have gone through training in their use. The department recognizes and understand that there is concern in the community wit the use of Tasers. To be responsive to these concerns, the department has instituted policy that ensure that the deployments is appropriate with the situation and that thorough review processes are in place. Judicious use of Tasers have many benefits, both for the officer and suspect.
Q. Who does your police dispatching?
A. Effective June 1, 2007 the police department will have a fully functioning 911/dispatch center. All 911 calls within the City limits will come into this new center.
Q. Can I get a shoulder patch?
A. At this time the department does not issue patches for collectors.
Q. Who does code enforcement?
A. Every officer is authorized to enforce code enforcement violations. However, we have a code enforcement officer assigned to this duty. In cases where there are code violations foremost desire the violation coming into compliance. If it does not, then we have the option of bringing the matter before a special master who may levy fines or other restrictions.
Q. Why does the department use Chevrolet Tahoes?
A. The police department switched to Chevrolet Tahoes for a variety of reasons. They provide more room for the increased equipment officers are required to have, they are safer and can navigate hazards easier than a sedan, they have a better value, they are built upon a truck frame thus reducing wear and tear and repairs, officers have a better field of view in them, they can tow, they make better vehicles to rotate to other city departments when the police no longer use them and they are fully police certified. The mileage in city between the Tahoe and the Ford Crown Victoria are similar, with the Tahoe at 15 mpg and Crown Victoria at 17 mpg (EPA 2006 models). The cost is close between the two as well, making the Tahoe a better value for all of the above reasons.

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