KELLY FARRELL / Staff

Marco Island's new police chief, Thom Carr has his first public appearance as guest speaker at the Marco Police Chief luncheon Wednesday. Marco Police Foundation President Dick Shannahan, Police Chief Thom Carr, Police Foundation Secretary Debra Sanders and Foundation Vice President Bernardo Bezos share the head table at the event.

KELLY FARRELL / Staff

Marco Island Police Chief Thom Carr expresses gratitude to one of the founders of the Marco Police Foundation, Harold Kendall, 87. Carr also thanked the entire Foundation for their support of his quest to become chief while he spoke at the Esplanade's Bayview Restaurant Wednesday.

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MARCO ISLAND — While many people have gotten to know and hear from Thom Carr over his last 10 years with the Marco Island Police Department, the public heard him speak for the first time as chief this week at the Marco Island Police Foundation lunch Wednesday.

City Manager Steve Thompson selected Carr as chief on Aug. 4.

Carr said tropical storm Fay and staffing issues have kept him busy the last three weeks and he was pleased to have the opportunity to address the community publicly for the first time as chief Wednesday.

The Marco Police Foundation endorsed Carr, encouraging Thompson to select the former police captain. Carr took over as acting chief when former Police Chief Roger Reinke left for the position of City of Naples assistant manager in Spring.

“I can’t believe how much this guy has done. Now we know how (Carr) was picked out of over 225 guys,” said Dick Shannan, president of the police foundation as he introduced Carr at the Esplanade’s Bayview Restaurant.

Carr’s experience includes six years of active duty in the U.S. Army, one year of service in Vietnam, CH-47 Chinook helicopter flight, graduation from the FBI National Academy and 36 years of experience in law enforcement beginning with the Indianapolis Police Department.

“Obviously his qualifications are outstanding. There isn’t an inch of space on the wall in his office for another commendation,” said Ken Kubat, treasurer of the police foundation.

Carr began with a humble line as he addressed an audience of about 60 people, including former city councilor Mike Minozzi and current City Councilors Wayne Waldack and Jerry Gibson.

“Some times I reflect on (being chosen out of 250 candidates) and I can’t believe it either,” Carr began.

He thanked the foundation for their “avid support” in his quest to become chief.

Carr said since becoming chief the most frequently asked question concerns the changes he plans to make in the department.

To that, Carr replies: “Will there be wholesale changes? No. Changes in philosophy? Yes.”

The changes will include a shift in the role of the police officer to focus on community needs not just enforcing laws, he said.

“I’d like to get the guys out of their cars a little more, talk to the businesses. Socialize a little more,” he explained of his plan to increase community policing.

Another change will be increased support and promotion of police officers within the department. This process has already begun. When Carr was promoted to chief, it allowed for mobility throughout the department.

He invited the public to attend a promotion ceremony 7 p.m., Friday, at the Community Room next door to the police department 51 Bald Eagle Drive.

The ceremony will congratulate the promotion of three officers and the hiring of one more lieutenant. Marco Lt. Dave Baer will be taking Carr’s prior position as captain, the second in command. Officer Pete Beucler will become a street lieutenant.

Patrolman George Williams, a retiree from the Ohio Highway Patrol, will be promoted to corporal.

Carr said he changed the selection process by bringing in outside agencies, the Florida Highway Patrol and Fish and Wildlife Commission, to assist in interviewing.

“It adds the look and feel of fairness. They will assist in looking at qualifications rather than friendships and that’s what we wanted,” Carr said.

Baer said choosing to promote Carr rather than hire a chief from outside the department may “benefit the community in ways a lot of people may not have even thought of.”

The promotion saves the time and resources that would be necessary to acclimate a new chief to the city and the department, he explained.

Jose Granda, a member of the police foundation and chairman of the code enforcement board, said he was pleased with Carr’s ideas for change.

“To (Carr), it’s a matter of being a part of the community not just having a job ... He wants to get closer to the people, support and promote the officers. I fully support every change he’s mentioned. They’ve been a long time coming,” Granda said.

As to the support the Marco Police Foundation and community showed for Carr’s quest to become chief, Carr said: “I’ll pay you back. I promise.”