Colonel James Vitali started his career with the Navy in 1988 as a member of the “Seabees” (Construction Battalion) specializing as a Heavy Equipment operator. He joined the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office as a Corrections Deputy in 1994. In 1995 Colonel Vitali was transferred to the Uniformed Patrol Division, in 1997 he was a Deputy in the Civil Division, in 2002 he was promoted to Sergeant in the Uniformed Patrol Division, in 2006 he was promoted to Lieutenant in Uniformed Patrol Division, promoted to Captain in 2009 over Law Enforcement Operations, promoted to Major in 2013, and was promoted to Colonel in 2019 as Undersheriff.Colonel Vitali has well over 25 years of Law Enforcement experience by working in different Bureaus. He has a well rounded career based in both Corrections and Law Enforcement. Colonel Vitali has advanced Leadership Training, as well as being a General Instructor and Firearms Instructor. Colonel Vitali has been a member of the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office DIVE Team since 1998 and was a member of the Specialized Teams/ Squads, such as S.W.A.T. from 1999 to 2009
As of December 2017 Colonel Vitali has approximately 2064 credited training hours. Colonel Vitali is a native DeSoto County resident from birth. Graduated from DeSoto County High School in 1987.
Contact Information:
Colonel James Vitali
jamesvitali@desotosheriff.org
DeSoto County Sheriff's Office
208 East Cypress Street
Arcadia, Florida 34266
863-993-4700 ext: 2226