Crime Prevention Unit
Unit Supervisor - Cynthia Sharp
E-mail address: Cynthia.Sharp@lakelandgov.net
Ms. Sharp joined the Lakeland Police Department Community Services Unit it October of 1996 as a part-time Neighborhood Watch Coordinator and became a full-time Crime Prevention Practitioner in December of 1996. She holds a certification as a Florida Crime Prevention Practitioner. She also holds designations in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), Advanced Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, Elderly Services, Child Passenger Occupant Protection Specialist, and Bicycle/Pedestrian Specialist.
Ms. Sharp was selected as the Lakeland Police Department 2009 Civilian of The Year, Florida Crime Prevention Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017 and the Lakeland Police Department Chief’s Award in 2018. She has served as President for the Polk County Community Traffic Safety Team in the years 2002 – 2004. Ms. Sharp served as Vice President of the Suncoast Crime Prevention Association in the years 2010 – 2012. She served as President of the Suncoast Crime Prevention Association from 2013 – 2016. Ms. Sharp has had the honor of being a guest presenter for the Florida Neighborhood Conference and the Southern States Crime Prevention Conference. Ms. Sharp currently serves as Secretary for the Polk County Community Traffic Safety Team, Secretary for Age-Friendly Lakeland and Treasure for Florida Design Out Crime Association – Florida CPTED Network. She has also served on numerous boards throughout her career at the Lakeland Police Department.
Crime Prevention Practitioner - Angie Ellis
E-mail address: Angela.Ellis@lakelandgov.net
Crime Prevention Practitioner - Gwen Stanislowski
E-mail address: Gwendolyn.Stanislowski@lakelandgov.net
Gwen was born and raised in Lakeland, FL, and graduated from Lakeland High School in 2005. She left the banking industry after 8 years to pursue a career with the City that would allow her to be out making a difference in the community. Gwen enjoys learning new crime prevention tools and information and using it to better equip the citizens of Lakeland. Her husband of 12 years, Joey, works for Polk County Fire Rescue as a Engineer Paramedic and together they have three sons.
Crime Prevention Practitioner - Michelle Brown
E-mail address: Michelle.Brown@lakelandgov.net
Michelle was born and raised in Lakeland, FL. Michelle graduated from George Jenkins High School in 1995, and Polk Community College with her AA degree in 1997. In 2002, at the encouragement of her brother, LPD Officer Michael Cochran, she started her career at LPD as a 911 dispatcher. While working as a dispatcher, Michelle met and married Lieutenant Doug Brown who is currently serving in Special Operations; together, they are raising 8 children.
Michelle has worked as a dispatcher for 20 years serving as a trainer, lead dispatcher, and step-up supervisor. She has enjoyed helping the citizens of Lakeland in 911 dispatch, sometimes on their worst days. She looks forward to meeting and assisting them in person through the Community Services Unit as a Crime Prevention Practitioner.