Support Services

Art May, Colonel

Support Services (SSVS) – Under direction of Col Art May Director. Email or phone amay@sjso.org / 810-6639. Support Services Division is the most diverse division within the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office.  This division is divided into a variety of specialized bureaus, units and teams, which includes the Special Operations and Training Bureau, Community Services Bureau, and Communications Bureau, each with its own unique function and responsibilities in the day to day function of the SJSO.  All of the sections of Support Services Division require specialized training, a strong dedication to duty and the best supervision possible. SSVS has around 300 full and part time personnel assigned into the different specialty areas with the majority of the members being the most senior people within the SJSO.

The division is responsible for everything from training each employee of SJSO as well as many other agencies, and is responsible for answering every incoming call for service received in the communication center and dispatching help, to working with our youth in schools and through programs such as ACE, to a high liability deployment of the SWAT team.

Support Services is set up as follows:

• Special Operations and Training Bureau: Training Unit, Weed and Seed, Adolescent Character Enrichment (ACE), Civil Citation, Aviation Unit, Community Oriented Policing Unit, Beach and Special Event Unit, Public Service Assistants, SWAT, CNT Crisis Negotiation Team, CIT Crisis Intervention Team, Mobile Field Force, Bomb EOD Unit, Dive Team, Mobile Command Team and Marine Unit.

• Communications Bureau: Communications Unit (dispatch), Switchboard, FCIC and NCIC validations, Alarm Enforcement, Radio Repair and Installation, and E-911 Addressing,

• Community Services Bureau: Youth Services, PAL, Explorers, Truancy, School Crossing Guards, Traffic Enforcement Unit (click for more info), Traffic Crash Unit, DUI Unit, and Teen Driving.

SSVS provides community and special services throughout all of St Johns County, and assist surrounding counties with the Special Operations and Community Services Bureau assets

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Bio - Art May, Colonel

Director of Support Services

EDUCATION:

• St. Augustine High School
• Associate of Science, Vincennes University
• Currently attending Flagler College
• Southern Police Institute Command Officer Development Course, University of Louisville

POSITIONS HELD- St Johns County Sheriff’s Office:

• Explorer (1975-1979)
• Part Time Patrol Deputy (1980)
• Corrections Deputy  (1980)
• Law Enforcement Deputy  (1980-1986)
• Detective (1986-1987)
• Law Enforcement Sergeant  (1987-1991)
• Law Enforcement Lieutenant  (1991-1995)
• Deputy Sector Commander  (1995-1999)
• Community Service Unit Commander  (1999-2001)         
• Programs Bureau Commander  (2001-2005)
• Deputy Director of Support Services  (2005-2006)
• Colonel, Director of Support Services  (2006 to Present)

RECOGNITIONS:

• Sheriff's Commendation- 1981
• Exceptional Service Award- 1989
• Exceptional Service Award- 1991
• Exceptional Service Award- 1993
• Division Directors Award- 1994

Communications Bureau consist of Communications Unit (dispatch), Switchboard, FCIC and NCIC validations, Alarm Enforcement, Radio Repair and Installation, and E-911 Addressing,

Community Services Bureau consist of Youth Services, PAL, Explorers, Truancy, School Crossing Guards, Traffic Enforcement Unit (click for more info), Traffic Crash Unit, DUI Unit, and Teen Driving.

 

Youth Services Unit

The Youth Services Unit is under the direction of Lt. Brian C. Lee ( bclee@sjso.org ), and is comprised of the School Resource Program and Youth Community Programs. 

School Resource Program

The Sheriff’s Office partners with the St. Johns County School District to provide crime prevention, intervention and law enforcement services throughout the schools in St. Johns County.  Our partnership is recognized in the State of Florida as a leading model. A testimony to the professionalism and efforts of the Youth Resource Deputies is the recent selection of Deputy Sean Tice as the Florida Attorney General’s State School Resource Officer of the Year recipient for 2008.  Dep. Tice exemplifies the dedication that is shared by all of his fellow Youth Resource Deputies. 

Many youth today are on a first name basis with their Youth Resource Deputy due to a mutual trust that is developed through positive contact and life lessons. Law enforcement plays a vital role in the safety, security and education of our students.  Youth Resource Deputies teach our youth about the significance of their daily decisions in all walks of life from substance abuse to leadership training.  They also provide daily counseling to our youth to assist them to make good decisions and encourage them in times of need.  Many youth today rely on their Youth Resource Deputy as a guidepost to navigate through life on and off the school campus.

In the area of school safety and security the Youth Resource Deputies are part of the first line of defense to promote a safe learning environment.  The Youth Resource Deputies work with School Staff to make our schools hard targets for crime and threats towards public safety.

Community Youth Programs

The Community Youth Programs Section is par of the St. Johns County Police Athletic and Activities League; which is a not for profit crime prevention organization sponsored by the Sheriff.  The Youth Programs Section is responsible for coordinating the Sheriff’s youth crime prevention services to include: Explorer Post 911, PAL and other crime prevention and child safety programs. Program information can be obtained by contacting 829-9438.

The Sheriff’s Explorers Program works with middle and high school age youth (age 14+)to involve them with the law enforcement profession. The Explorers are engaged in activities to include: training, ride-a-long opportunities with deputies, community service, competitions, mentoring, and leadership opportunities.  The Explorers Post has a long history in the Sheriff’s Office and is recognized as a starting point to becoming a law enforcement officer.  Col. Art May who serves on the Sheriff’s Executive Staff began his career as an Explorer as well as many other deputies who serve in the communities today. You can contact Deputy Henry Crafton at 829-9438 or hcrafton@sjso.org for more information, as well as visit www.stjohnspal.org .

The Sheriff’s Office Police Athletic League sponsors sports and after school activities throughout St. Johns County.  PAL just completed its inaugural year with Junior Developmental Football and Cheer; serving over 160 children.  The Sheriff’s PAL “All-Stars” provided a unique opportunity to connect law enforcement and community volunteer roll-models with youth.  The practices and games were focused on “fun”, character development, and fundamentals of the game. This concept of “hit them hard, and help them up” competitive developmental football was the vision of “Coach Jerry” Norton of Ponte Vedra; who partnered with the Sheriff’s Office PAL to bring this program to the St. Augustine area youth. It has given us the opportunity to reach kids outside of traditional football/cheer programs.

PAL also works with our local schools to provide tutoring and mentoring for the at-risk youth in an after school setting. PAL is working to build future business leaders through our Youth Development Council. The vision of this program is to have different business partners come out each month and teach leadership and business skills to these youth from local middle and high schools. You can contact Deputy Henry Crafton at 829-9438 or hcrafton@sjso.org.

PAL touches over 500 children in St. Johns County annually either directly or by sponsoring after school programs such as tutors and mentors. For more information about the St. Johns County Police Athletic League please call us at 904-829-9438 or visit us on the web at www.stjohnspal.org .

Special Operations and Training Bureau consist of Training Unit, Weed and Seed, Adolescent Character Enrichment (ACE), Civil Citation, Aviation Unit, Community Oriented Policing Unit, Beach and Special Event Unit, Public Service Assistants, SWAT, CNT Crisis Negotiation Team, CIT Crisis Intervention Team, Mobile Field Force, Bomb EOD Unit, Dive Team, Mobile Command Team and Marine Unit.

Contact Art May, Colonel

DO NOT REPORT CRIMES OR INCIDENTS OF ANY TYPE OVER THE INTERNET OR BY E-MAIL. DEPENDING ON THE NATURE OR SERIOUSNESS OF THE INCIDENT, EITHER CALL 911 OR (904) 824-8304.

Art May, Colonel contact information:
amay@sjso.org