Marco Police Promotion Ceremony

The men and women of the Marco Island Police Department as well as family members, city staff, members of the Marco Island Police Foundation, and community leaders gathered in City Council Chambers on Wednesday afternoon to celebrate the promotions of three officers to fill vacancies within the department. The combined experience of these three officers totals approximately 92 years of service in the law enforcement field, bringing with them a wealth of experience and leadership responsibility. 

Marco Police Chief Tracy Frazzano welcomed all those in attendance and thanked them for their support of the department and the men and women who serve the community. She pointed out that the afternoon was not only a celebration of the promotions, but also arecognition of exemplary service deliveredby the entire department to the citizens of the community. 

The first officer promoted at the ceremony came with an elevation in rank. Sergeant Joe Belardo was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Sergeant Belardo first came to the Marco Department from Schodack, New York, where he spent 35 years and obtained the position of Chief.  

The new Lieutenant has taken on several challenges within the department, including training, accreditation, and teaching crime prevention programs within the community. He holds two master’s degrees and recently completed his doctoral thesis. You could say the profession runs within his family, as his father rose in ranks to Chief, and his son is also in law enforcement. 

Lt. Belardo’s wife came forward to do the honors of pinning his Lieutenant’s bars on his uniform. 

The second officer promoted was Andrew Smith, who assumes a sergeant’s position within the department and is no stranger to Southwest Florida where he has spent 37 years in the field of law enforcement. His career includes leadership within the State Attorney’s Office, where he oversaw multi-agency taskforces targeting major criminal organizations. He also led high-level investigations with Collier County’s Vice and Narcotics Bureau and also worked with the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office, assuming the role as Substation Commander.  

His wide-ranging experience in patrol, narcotics, crisis intervention, and marine operations is a positive addition to the Marco Island Department. He is a proud U.S. Army Veteran, the father to three beautiful daughters, and was accompanied by his fiancée and Collier County Sheriff Officer Lt. Kristine Whittaker, who did the honors of pinning his new sergeant brass on his collars. 

The final promotion was Rich McElroy, who will assume the responsibilities as another newly minted sergeant with the department. He comes to Marco Island via the Louisville, KentuckyMetro Police Department, where he spent 11 years on the job. He joined the Marco Department in 2020 as a road officer and eventually assumed responsibilities as a School Resource Officer within the Marco Island Charter Middle School. 

Sergeant McElroy holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Louisville and is married to his wife Jessica. They have two children, Averi, who just made him a grandfather, and son Asher. During his time as a School Resource Officer, he garnered a reputation for kindness and consistency. 

 City Manager McNees' “pitch hit” for Sergeant McElroy’s wife, who was called away on a family pet emergency. It was not clear who was more nervous during the pinning, but eventually Sergeant McElroy escaped without any wounds and the new chevrons on his collars. 

State Representative Yvette Benarroch appeared at the promotional ceremony and spoke about how lucky the community was to have such a professional department and to their commitment to community service by all first responders within the State of Florida.