Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman is pleased to announce Community Affairs Director Kaitlyn Perez is recognized by the International Association of Chiefs of Police as a 2022 IACP/T-Mobile 40 Under 40 Honoree.

 

The annual award recognizes law enforcement professionals from around the world who demonstrate leadership, exemplify commitment to their profession, and have a positive impact on their communities and the field of policing. Director Perez is one of two honorees from the state of Florida and is joined by other law enforcement professionals from across the globe, including from Canada, Dubai, and Australia.

Recognized for her contributions in 2021, Perez helped lead the agency’s strategic planning process, launch the organization’s 10-8 TV social media series, and manage an agencywide recruitment project. Director Perez also created several campaigns related to how the agency serves vulnerable populations and responds to calls for service involving mental health. Last year, Director Perez volunteered to take on the mission to help a family that was trapped in Afghanistan during the Taliban takeover. A sheriff’s deputy born in Afghanistan who formerly served as a combat linguist had family members whose lives were in danger due to his work with U.S. troops. Thanks to the support of Director Perez, 32 members of the deputy’s family made it safely to the U.S., where they gained permanent housing and jobs, and all the children were enrolled in school, likely leading to a long-term generational impact on the family. 

Director Perez currently serves on the board of directors for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties. She is a graduate of Saint Leo University’s 23rd Command Officer Management Program and, in 2021, was named a 40 Under 40 Leader by the Business Observer. Director Perez’s passions lie in supporting Sarasota County’s youth and connecting citizens with the law enforcement professionals who serve them. She joined the sheriff’s office in 2014 as a Media Relations Specialist and was promoted in 2016 to Community Affairs Director, where she serves as a member of Sheriff Hoffman’s senior staff and leads a team of four creative communications professionals.

“Now more than ever in our profession, law enforcement agencies must develop meaningful relationships with the communities they serve," commented Sheriff Hoffman. "Director Perez’s work to connect the men and women of our agency to the citizens we serve plays a vital role in our future success. Through her efforts, she has advanced our mission of professional policing and community outreach, and I am extremely pleased that the IACP has recognized her hard work with this award.”

Learn more about the 2022 IACP/T-Mobile 40 Under 40 award by following this link: https://bit.ly/3D5LNvF.