KELLY FARRELL / Staff

Dick Shanahan, president of the Marco Police Foundation presents former Marco Island Police Chief Roger Reinke, left, with a size 14 running shoe. Reinke received a roast and farewell gifts Friday at Orion Bank as he moves on to become Naples Assistant City Manager this May.

KELLY FARRELL / Marco Eagle

Capt. Thom Carr gives former Police Chief Roger Reinke a departing hug and a gift of acknowledgment for his seven years of service with the Marco Island Police Department. Reinke received a going-away party and roast at Orion Bank Friday.

Roger Reinke

STORY TOOLS

• E-mail story
• Comments
• iPod friendly
• Printer friendly

RELATED STORIES

• Naples assistant city manager Hunt resigns; Marco police chief is replacement

More Local News

• Curatolo proposes adding two members to the School Board
• Marco man appointed by Gov. Crist to Florida Elections Commission
• New Marco city manager’s first day will be a manic Monday

Share and Enjoy [?]

Roger Reinke leaves big shoes to fill as he moves from his job as Marco Island police chief to become assistant city manager in Naples on May 5.

So a size 14 gift was fitting.

The Marco Island chief of police was roasted at a farewell celebration hosted by the Marco Island Police Foundation on Friday night at Orion Bank.

Reinke’s going-away gifts for his seven years of service as Marco chief included a size 14 running shoe.

“(Naples City Manager) Bill Moss picked you because you’re a runner,” said Jack Patterson, past president of the Marco Police Foundation.

Capt. Thom Carr is serving as interim police chief and said the shoes are big shoes to fill -- literally and metaphorically.

“I realize now how happy I was being the second man,” Carr said, smiling.

Carr said he hopes to make the transition from interim chief to permanent chief, but also will be pleased if he becomes second-in-charge again.

Reinke’s colleagues celebrated the former chief’s management style and accomplishments, particularly the 52 percent reduction in crime from 2000 to 2007.

“(Reinke) had a laid-back management style. I liked the way he did things. It fit very well with Marco Island,” Carr said.

Reinke said the reduction in crime and the formation of the Marco Island Police Foundation were two accomplishments he was most proud of as chief during the past seven years.

“The reduction in crime is not all about me. It’s about the people in this room, the uniformed officers, the community,” Reinke said.

The nonprofit police foundation was something Reinke said he hoped to help form when he was assistant chief of police in Milwaukee. Although it never happened before he left for Marco, he said he was pleased that members of the Marco community wanted to support the police department and took Reinke’s advice to form the foundation.

Reinke said the foundation has helped get community groups and businesses involved with the police department, further making it easier for them to work together to reduce crime through programs such as neighborhood watch.

Reinke also thanked the foundation personally for helping his twin sons, Adam and Gavin, 21, who are attending the University of Florida and received scholarships from the foundation to pursue law degrees.

Naples City Manager Bill Moss, the former Marco Island city manager, was the target of a few cracks in the roast at Reinke’s farewell party as well.

“Bill Moss has been recruiting actively in the room,” said Keith Dameron, Police Foundation board member.

“(Moss) has even been recruiting some councilmen to go up there (to Naples),” said council member Jerry Gibson, smiling.

Reinke said he looked forward to working with his former colleague, Moss, again.

“(Moss) is the hardest-working, most ethical person I’ve ever been associated with,” Reinke said.

Reinke added that he particularly looked forward to getting to know the people in Naples.

“Naples is a world-class community… It’s already a great place and I look forward to keeping it that way,” Reinke said.

Moss had a question for Carr: “You looking for a career change?” he said with a smile.

“No. You can’t have us all,” Carr replied.