In this episode, FSA speaks with Santa Barbara County (California) Sheriff Bill Brown, who is currently the president of the Major County Sheriffs of America. Sheriff Brown took time out during a busy Annual Conference in Palm Beach to cover all things Major County Sheriffs of America. With more than 2,700 square miles and a population of more than 450,000, being the sheriff of Santa Barbara County, is no easy task. Sheriff Brown is currently in his fifth term, and we discuss his role as president as well as unique ways he leads one of California’s largest sheriff’s offices.

In this episode, FSA speaks with Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw during the Major County Sheriffs of America’s Annual Conference. Sheriff Bradshaw was first elected in 2004 and has served five terms as sheriff of one of Florida's most populous counties. We discuss the dynamics of Palm Beach County and what his deputies do each day to keep the coastline safe and secure. Sheriff Bradshaw has also led the way in domestic security and assisting sheriffs in responding to natural disasters as the Zone 7 Chair of FSA’s Task Force. We cover all that and much more!

In this episode, FSA speaks with the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) Executive Director Chuck Wexler at their Annual Meeting in Orlando. Chuck led a lively town hall with sheriffs and police chiefs, and we discuss the various topics that were covered; from staffing and the use of civilian personnel to reducing violent crime in our communities.  We learn about the history of PERF and how they play an important role for independent public safety research. We end by discussing innovative ways sheriffs and police chiefs are using Integrating Communications, Assessment & Tactics (ICAT) training to defuse a range of critical incidents safely and successfully. ICAT was developed by PERF with input from hundreds of law enforcement professionals nationwide.

In this episode, FSA speaks with Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez from the Police Executive Research Forum’s (PERF) Annual Meeting in Orlando. During the meeting, Sheriff Gonzalez was awarded the PERF Leadership Award for his outstanding public safety work in the Houston area. First elected sheriff in 2016, Sheriff Gonzalez runs the largest sheriff’s office in Texas. He directs more than 5,000 employees to protect the 4.5 million residents living within the 1,700 square miles of Harris County. Early in his first term, Sheriff Gonzalez had to lead the citizens of his community after Hurricane Harvey, one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history. He discusses how those difficult times helped him and his team build a foundation of trust with those they serve. We also learn about the innovative programs the Harris County Sheriff’s Office operates from diversion programs and establishing a sobering center to addressing the complex issue of homelessness.

In this episode, FSA speaks with Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford.  Sheriff Ford was first elected sheriff in 2016 and has been a leader in addressing numerous public safety issues in the panhandle. Early on in his first term, Sheriff Ford had to respond to the devastation of Hurricane Michael. Hear about the lessons learned from that tragedy and how he has taken on the role of chairing the FSA Task Force as a way to give back to those sheriffs who helped him, and his community, recover in their time of need.  We also discuss ways in which all Floridians should get prepared for hurricane season and the steps needed to keep your loved ones safe.

In this episode, FSA speaks with Alachua County Sheriff Emery Gainey.  A veteran of the Office who began his career in 1982, he rose through the ranks holding leadership positions in numerous areas of the sheriff’s office operations.  Then, after a 25-year career with the sheriff’s office, Sheriff Gainey became the Director of Law Enforcement & Victim Services for three Florida Attorneys General as well as the Sheriff of Marion County in 2016. We cover many other important public safety topics, but also learn about why serving as a board member for the Florida Special Olympics was such an honor and a great way to support the amazing work they do every day. 

In this episode, FSA speaks with Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast, who has served his country in the U.S. Army, his state as the executive director of the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs and now the citizens of Citrus County as their elected sheriff.  We talk about how those life experiences helped shape his service as sheriff as well as the numerous leadership roles he has accepted within the Florida Sheriffs Association. Sheriff Prendergast currently serves as the Chair of FSA’s Cold Case Advisory Commission, is the Zone 4 Task Force Chair and is also the Vice Chair of the FSA’s Board of Directors. We cover a lot of ground in this episode, and you will gain a better appreciation for why Sheriff Prendergast is so passionate about serving and protecting those in need.

In this episode, FSA speaks with Gulf County Sheriff Mike Harrison. First elected sheriff in 2012, Sheriff Harrison serves as a member of FSA’s important Legislative Committee and on the association’s Board of Directors. Hear about Sheriff Harrison’s past experiences in law enforcement and how it has shaped his work in Gulf County, a special place in the panhandle that is a pleasant place to live, work and raise a family. We also learn about his new assignment as the Chair of the Board of Managers for the Florida Sheriffs Risk Management Fund, and why this organization is so critically important to the day-to-day successes for so many of Florida’s sheriffs.

In this episode, FSA speaks with Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters, who was recently elected sheriff after serving the people of Duval County for more than 30 years. Before being elected sheriff, he worked in the county jail then graduated from the police academy and rose through the ranks working in numerous capacities within the agency’s major departments of Patrol & Enforcement and Homeland Security & Investigations. His experiences have helped shape his vision for the office and how he uses new methods to communicate with citizens by being transparent and building trust within the community. Sheriff Waters also explains why Duval County has a consolidated form of government and how it works for the people of Jacksonville. 

In this episode, FSA visits with the former Sheriff of Jacksonville Nat Glover. Sheriff Glover recently published a book entitled, “Striving for Justice: A Black Sheriff in the Deep South.” We discussed his long and distinguished law enforcement career that culminated with him being elected sheriff in 1995. Sheriff Glover was the first Black sheriff elected in the state of Florida in over 100 years in the post-Reconstruction South. As sheriff, he garnered national recognition for pioneering community policing efforts and was recently inducted into the Florida Law Enforcement Officer’s Hall of Fame.