Butch Arenal

Chief Albert "Butch" Arenal was elected to a third consecutive term, beginning in January 2012, as president of the 70-member Southwest Florida Police Chiefs Association. He has served in that capacity since 2010.
The Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation, a body mandated by the state legislature in 1993, elected Chief Arenal as the 12-member body’s 2012 Chairman. The Punta Gorda Police Department has been continuously accredited since 1998. Arenal has served as a commissioner since his appointment as city police chief in 2008.
Albert “Butch” Arenal was appointed chief of police for the city of Punta Gorda in November 2008 after the city council had interviewed and vetted more than 50 applicants for the job. The Charlotte Sun newspaper ran an editorial endorsing the decision that took more than six months to review. The editors said “the department has been open, accessible and accountable during Arenal’s leadership.” Newspaper editors said that he welcomes media inquiries and understands the community