Promotion announced on July 18
Some long-time residents of Siesta Key — especially leaders and members of the Siesta Key Association (SKA) — likely will recognize the name of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office’s new community affairs manager: Matt Binkley.
On July 16, Binkley was promoted to that position, the agency has announced.
Binkley joined the Sheriff’s Office in 2001 as a deputy assigned to the Patrol Bureau, a news release said. During his 24 years with the agency, he has served in a multitude of capacities, the release noted: handling Siesta Key community policing, serving as a school resource deputy, and working with the Traffic Unit, “where he was also part of the Motor Unit and a motor instructor.”
Additionally, the release continued, he served with the Waterborne Response Team, the Dive Team and the Marine Unit, and he worked as a tactical flight deputy.
Binkley has received the Combat Cross Award, a Unit Citation Award with the Traffic Unit, and the agency’s Life Saving Award, the release continued. Moreover, it pointed out, he was a Dive Team Deputy of the Year, he twice was nominated for Employee of the Month, and he was nominated for Deputy of the Year three times.
Binkley holds a Bachelor of Science in criminology from Florida State University.
“Each time we promote our members, it is a celebration,” said Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman in the release. The individuals who earn new positions “have done what it takes to reach the next level of service within our agency, and it encourages us all to keep giving our all for the Sarasota community,” Hoffman added.