Venice, FL
Chief Thorpe joined the Venice Police Department (FL) in December 2018 and was named Chief in 2021. Prior to that he spent 27 years with the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, leaving at the rank of Captain.
At the Sheriff’s Office he held assignments as bureau commander of the agency's Investigations where he oversaw over 100 sworn and civilian employees involved in criminal investigations, intelligence, homeland security, forensic services, victim advocacy, crime analysis and support for these sections. He developed a strong interest in regional collaboration with other agencies and with academia in order to promote intelligence-led policing practices for crime prevention. He developed the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office current program of "Intelligence 2 Action," which placed a strong emphasis on analysis-supported response to crime and hazards. The collaboration with other agencies has resulted in the area law enforcement exchange, or "ALEX" program, that has considerably enhanced information and intelligence sharing among local, state and federal law enforcement in the southwest region of Florida.
He holds a bachelor’s degree from St. Leo University and a master’s degree from University of South Florida in Criminal Justice Administration.