Sheriff's Office Promotions

NEWS RELEASE 18-167 - OCTOBER 18, 2018 
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From left: Sergeant Donnell Livingston, Sergeant Eric Alvarez, Lieutenant Jason Mruczek, Captain Bryan Ivings and Sheriff Tom Knight.

Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight is pleased to announce the promotion of four Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office members.

Deputy Eric Alvarez is promoted to the rank of Sergeant assigned to the Law Enforcement Division. Alvarez began his law enforcement career in 2005 when he obtained his certification and was hired by the sheriff’s office. During his career he has worked in both the Patrol Bureau and Special Operations Bureau on the Marine Unit. Alvarez is a Field Training Officer, has his U.S. Coast Guard Captain’s License, is a member of the Florida Marine Intelligence Unit, and is trained in several areas including Spanish for law enforcement, narcotics and dangerous drugs, crisis intervention, and more. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida.

Deputy Donnell Livingston is promoted to the rank of Sergeant assigned to the Patrol Bureau. Livingston’s law enforcement career began in 2008 when he earned his certification and was hired by the Bradenton Police Department. In 2009, he joined the sheriff’s office where he worked in the Patrol Bureau, Criminal Investigations Section, and most recently, Youth Services, as the school resource deputy assigned to Emma E. Booker Elementary School. Livingston served on the agency’s Emergency Response Team and has advanced training in several areas including interview and interrogations, injury and death investigations, crisis intervention, and Drug Abuse Resistance Education also known as D.A.R.E. Livingston has been recognized for his work during Hurricane Irma, the Republican National Convention and during a Siesta Key Spring Break Operation. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Liberty University in May of 2018.

Sergeant Jason Mruczek is promoted to the rank of Lieutenant assigned to the Law Enforcement Division. Mruczek began his law enforcement career in 2000 as a Public Service Aide with the Rochester Police Department in New York. He earned his law enforcement certification in 2002 and was hired by the sheriff’s office in 2003. Mruczek worked in the Patrol Bureau for several years before transferring to the Siesta Key substation. In 2014 he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and graduated from the agency’s Leadership Academy. He has been nominated for employee of the month twice, taken several advance courses through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and most recently graduated from FBI-LEEDA’s 306th Command Institute for Law Enforcement Executives. Mruczek earned his associate’s degree from Monroe Community College and continues to work towards obtaining his bachelor’s degree.

Lieutenant Bryan Ivings is promoted to the rank of Captain assigned to the Special Operations Bureau. Ivings launched his law enforcement career in 1995 when he joined the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. He was hired by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office in 1997 and soon transferred into the Traffic Unit where he would spend the next 15 years. During his assignment to the Traffic Unit, Ivings earned two Combat Cross Awards, two Unit Citations, and became a Tactical Flight Officer. In 2013, he was promoted to Sergeant and transferred to the Patrol Bureau and eventually into the agency’s Tactical Unit. In 2016, Ivings was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and went on to attend the Southern Police Institute’s Command Officer Development Course through the University of Louisville. In 2017, Ivings moved into the Investigations Bureau and finally back into the Special Operations Bureau where today he takes command. Ivings has completed several advanced courses in FDLE instructor techniques, line supervision, investigative interviews and advanced interrogation, as well as several classes in traffic-related areas. Ivings earned his bachelor’s degree from Hodges University.

“Today is a great day for the sheriff’s office family,” said Sheriff Tom Knight. “It gives me great pride to promote four very deserving members to the next level in their careers. I have no doubt these individuals will continue to set a fine example for this community we all call home.”