I will work hard to get the pay for the Sheriff’s Office back up to par with other agencies our size in the state. This will allow us to retain the highly trained employees that are currently seeking employment elsewhere so they can make better wages. Though I recognize the need to hire new employees, I will never sacrifice pay, benefits or equipment to the agency members that currently work here to attract new employees. I will reward the current employees, raise morale and encourage members to make a career here in Orange County. This will in turn, attract applicants to want to be part of our team. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office was once the most sought after law enforcement agency in Central Florida, and will be again.

I will return the Tactical Units back to the sector commanders where they can be better utilized.

I will bring back the Field Service Officers to assist our road deputies. The FSOs will handle minor traffic crashes to better serve the public and free up State Troopers to work the more serious crashes. This will also allow our deputies to concentrate on criminal investigation and enforcement.

I will revamp the way internal investigations are handled to make them into fact-finding investigators rather than disciplinarians. Once the facts are determined, staff will advise the charge. A fair and reasonable appeals process will be implemented.

I will use the list of qualified applicants to give everyone an equal chance to be promoted. Along with this, I will establish more opportunities for road personnel to transfer from the road to specialized areas to increase knowledge and experience.

I will improve the conditions and hire more personnel at the Communications Center. This will allow better coverage on the radio for our personnel. Salaries will be addressed for those working in the Communications Center .

Shift differentials for patrol will be reviewed and implemented so proper compensation can be awarded for night work.

I will work hard to improve our relationship with other jurisdictions, which will increase our response to the current rising violent crime rate. By relaxing our mutual aid policy, we will increase our strength with the help of other agency members attacking crime.

I will increase the staffing level in our Patrol Division. Patrol is the backbone of law enforcement. This is the best and quickest way to attack violent crime in our community.

I will work on a plan to reduce our patrol zones and allow people to work areas they live in. Who knows better what should or should not be in an area than the people who live there?

I will increase our volunteer and part-time staff levels to assist patrol and other areas in the Sheriff’s Office, which will allow us to improve our response to the needs of the community.    

I will work to enlarge our use of security personnel in the private sector so that our “eyes and ears” increase and a better line of communication is established.

My plan to enhance service to our personnel from fleet and supply can be accomplished with proper staffing and better inventory of supplies. Seniority and assignments will once again be rewarded with equipment and vehicles.

I will improve squad level training by allowing squads to train together, which will build better coordination and camaraderie.

I will work hard to make you proud of where you work!