The makings of an SRO

He has been working at our school since June 10, 2005. Many people may recognize him as a temporary step-dad, counselor, disciplinary police officer, a mediator or referee. He is better known as Officer Cavaliere.

John Cavaliere was born on September 11, 1964 in Queens, New York. In 1968, he moved to Garden City, Long Island, where he grew up until his ninth grade year. When he was 14, John moved to Fort Myers, Florida. Where he attended Bishop Verot Catholic High. During his senior year, he moved again to Seminole, Florida, attending Osceola High School.

In 1983, he went to Saint Petersburg Vocational Technical Institute and received a 2 year commercial photography certificate.

At age 19, he met his wife Anastasia Cavaliere. They were married at age 21 on August 30th, 1986. They have been married for 26 years and have raised three boys. His sons are now 18, 23 and 24.

When he was about eight years old, he knew he wanted to grow up to become a police officer. In 1988, he started the application process.

For his training, he went to Saint Petersburg College Academy. He went through six months of college training, four months of field training and one year probation on his own in the field.

In 1990, he was hired as a police officer. On June 30, 1991, he became an official police officer. In 1997, he became a Field Training Officer (F.T.O).

During his years on the road, officer Cavaliere backed up School Resource Officers (SRO) Officer Brooks, Officer Kitchen, and Officer Zara at Clearwater High School. Getting a feel for what an SRO is and does. He came to the conclusion that it would be worthwhile for him to work with high school students.

When a spot opened up at Countryside High School, he took it. On June 10, 2005 at the age of 41, he went into the Clearwater PD, special operations, as an SRO officer.

After seven years at Countryside High School, he still loves his job.

“I love it. It’s very challenging, I wear many hats but it’s very rewarding” said Cavaliere.

He is at work by 6:15 in the morning and leaves around 2:15 in the afternoon. On weekends, holiday breaks, and dur ing the summer he is back on the streets as a patrol officer