SGT. ERIC BOLDEN RETIRES FROM SPD
Sergeant Eric S. Bolden retired earlier this week after a 30-year career with the Sarasota Police Department (SPD). When he started with the department, he wanted to be of service to the greater good. He knew being a police officer was a tough job and would take dedication, hard work and a willingness to always be learning. He also knew that he was not only taking risks with his own safety, but also the responsibility for the safety of others. Even so, over the next 30 years, he would forge an exciting and rewarding career that has made a difference and an impact on the lives of many.
Sgt. Bolden was hired by SPD in July 1990 after graduating from the Criminal Justice Academy at Lake City Community College in Florida. He is also a graduate of the 63rd session of The Southern Police Institute Command Officers Development Course at the University of Louisville. He began his career after completing the Field Training Program, working as a patrol officer, predominantly in the North District of the City of Sarasota, which includes Newtown, the place where he was born and raised. Sgt. Bolden then worked on the Community Resource Team and the Street Crimes Unit. After those two assignments, he spent five years working as a Detective in the Narcotics Unit. After leaving the Narcotics Unit, he went back to the Patrol Division where he worked in all three districts in the city as an officer until being promoted to Sergeant in 2004. In 2013, he became the Patrol Division Community Relations Unit Sergeant overseeing the Crime Prevention Unit, The Citizen Volunteer Program and the School Resource Officer Program. He held this position until his retirement.
A native of Sarasota, Sgt. Bolden graduated from Sarasota High School in 1988. Law enforcement piqued his interest as a kid and he always knew he wanted to become a police officer.
“After talking with officers in the community and having two police officers as coaches in high school, they all put me on the right path and told me what I needed to do to get hired,’
he said. Working as officer has afforded him the opportunity to build relationships and become intricately involved in his community. “I am most proud of the relationships that I have formed over the years,” he said. “I am a strong believer in helping people in any way that I can. I always try to get to the root of a problem and to get a cure, not just give it a band aid for the time being. I am most proud of all of the people that I know that I was able to help out and make a difference with and see the success stories.”
Sgt. Bolden is very active with his church, Bethlehem Bible Church, where he serves as Vice Chairman of the Deacon Board and Vice President of the Usher’s Ministry. He is a mentor with Take Stock in Children and a former football coach with Sarasota and Booker High Schools. He is active with the Roy McBean and the Newtown Estates branches of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota County, serving on the Advisory Board. He also volunteers with All Faiths Food Bank, and The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundations’ Badges for Baseball Program, traveling with youth from the Boys and Girls Club to Baltimore, Maryland. He also works as an Inclusion and Diversity Facilitator/Trainer.
Sgt. Bolden’s work in the community has not gone unnoticed. He has received numerous awards for his community service and work with youth in both Sarasota and Manatee Counties, which is very important to him. “I always encourage our youth to be their best,” he said.
“My advice to them is to keep God first in their lives, stay prayed up, stay positive, stay away from negative people and negative social media and find a great mentor. In whatever you do, remember the four Fs: Faith, Family, Friends, Future.”
Now that he is retired, Sgt. Bolden will continue to volunteer at his church, travel, take golf lessons and take care of projects at home. He plans to spend more time with family and friends, going to music festivals and concerts, but he will also continue to mentor and speak with youth groups. He already has job offers to consider, but “I plan to enjoy myself for a few months before entertaining working again in any capacity,”
