Achievements & Awards

Shortly after a new Chief of Police was appointed five years ago, John Gunter was elected Mayor of Cape Coral. This period coincided with a critical phase of growth for the city and a strategic transformation within the Cape Coral Police Department. Faced with rapid population increases and staffing challenges, the Police Department adopted a more intentional approach to strategic planning, budgeting, and deployment. Throughout this period, Mayor Gunter has served as a consistent and engaged partner, aligning policy direction, funding priorities, and accountability measures to support public safety and deliver measurable results for the community.

Strategic Planning & Growth Management

  • Shift to intentional, long-term strategic planning and budgeting
  • Alignment of police resources with rapid population growth
  • Focus on sustainability rather than reactive staffing models

Measurable Community Impact

  • Double-digit reduction in crime in 2025
  • Enhanced public safety outcomes for residents and visitors
  • Increased community trust and confidence in the Police Department

Accountability & Oversight

  • Active oversight through CALEA accreditation audits
  • Utilization of the City Auditor’s Office to ensure fiscal and operational efficiency
  • Ongoing evaluation of strategy, deployment, and performance

Professional Standards & Accreditation

  • Achievement of accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA)
  • Compliance with nationally recognized best practices
  • Ongoing audits and continuous improvement culture

Technology & Intelligence-Led Policing

  • Investment in modern law enforcement technology
  • Expansion of intelligence-led policing strategies
  • Improved investigative outcomes in serious and high-profile crimes
  • Data-driven deployment and operational decision-making

Training & Infrastructure Investment

  • Transition into a state-of-the-art, best-in-class police training facility
  • Facility designed by the Police Department and supported by the Mayor and City Council
  • Enhanced training capacity, professionalism, and operational readiness

Technology & Intelligence-Led Policing

  • Investment in modern law enforcement technology
  • Expansion of intelligence-led policing strategies
  • Improved investigative outcomes in serious and high-profile crimes
  • Data-driven deployment and operational decision-making

Training & Infrastructure Investment

  • Transition into a state-of-the-art, best-in-class police training facility
  • Facility designed by the Police Department and supported by the Mayor and City Council
  • Enhanced training capacity, professionalism, and operational readiness

Staffing & Deployment Improvements

  • Intentional increases in sworn staffing to right-size the agency
  • Implementation of a precinct-based deployment model
  • Improved geographic coverage and neighborhood-level policing
  • Reduction in response times to Priority One calls for service

Emergency Communications & 911 Support

  • Advocacy for appropriate staffing and competitive compensation for 911 telecommunicators
  • Improved recruitment, retention, and performance
  • Strengthened emergency response coordination

Financial Stewardship

  • Tax Reductions: Consistently reduced the city’s millage rate from 6.75 in 2017 to 5.14 in the 2025 fiscal year.
  • Grant Funding: Secured over $630 million in grant revenue since 2021, including a record $17 million state appropriation in 2023.

Awards

  • Received the Home Rule Hero Award-from the Florida League of Cities for four consecutive years (2022–2025)
  • Recieved the GFOA Triple Crown Award for excellence in financial reporting and budgeting. 
The partnership between Mayor John Gunter and the Cape Coral Police and Fire Department has been defined by strategic investment, thoughtful oversight, and a shared commitment to public safety. Through planning, accountability, and targeted resource allocation, the city has achieved tangible improvements in policing effectiveness, operational efficiency, and community safety—demonstrating that sustained leadership and collaboration produce measurable results.