Submitted by
Steve Whitley
Personal Background and Experience
“I graduated from Paxon Senior High School in Jacksonville, Florida in 1971. I enlisted into the Florida Army National Guard before graduation from high school and then voluntary enlisted into the U.S. Army on active duty at the rank of Sergeant. Upon completion of active duty with the Army I returned home and reenlisted into the Florida Army National Guard and served as a Sergeant. My wife (Carolyn) and I reside in Callahan. I have 4 son’s and 1 daughter and 1 step-daughter.
I graduated from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Police Academy. I have attended numerous law enforcement courses with local, state and federal agencies, with approximately 40 schools attended; from Homicide, Civil Process to Terrorism. I attended Florida Community College at Jacksonville with studies in Criminal Justice.
I am a retired Deputy Sheriff with the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office (Nov 2011) and have 34 years of local law enforcement experience serving as a Correctional Officer at both State and Local levels, Police Officer, Patrol Deputy, Deputy Sheriff, Detective, Narcotics Detective, Civil Process Deputy, Sergeant in both Patrol and Detective Divisions and as a Lieutenant. I have been assigned to work on State and Federal Task Force. And I owned my own heavy equipment company which gave me experience operating a business under a budget, and dealing with employee’s and negotiating contracts with businesses.”
Candidate Questionnaire for the position of Nassau County Sheriff
1. How will you strengthen the relationship between the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO), the City of Fernandina Beach Police Department (FBPD), and other law enforcement agencies?
First I don’t believe that the relationship between the NCSO and FBPD exist at the lower ranks of each. I believe that when a new Sheriff is elected that both the new Sheriff and Chief Hurley will work out any misunderstandings that have developed at their level.
2. Assuming a stronger relationship between the NCSO and the FBPD is developed, what cost savings measures have you identified that will benefit both organizations?
The NCSO has to offer the same level of service thru out the county and not one area. The new Sheriff again will met with FBPD and see if there are areas that can save taxpayers money, without endangering life and property.
3. What changes would you consider to improve or change existing policies with respect to recruiting, training, and deploying deputies?
Recruiting within the NCSO has been postpone due to budget cuts. However if recruiting were to resume a committee will be established within the NCSO and oral boards conducted before a position is filled. There is a need for minority hiring.
We all know that a better employee is a well trained one. I will seek out the best training and type of training (Computer, instructor or supervised training by others) to help achieve this goal. Training will always be one of my priorities.
There is a need to restructure the eastside patrol areas for faster response times and coverage. Using lap over boundaries lines will help in these areas.
4. How will you create a positive atmosphere among staff and improve the image of the NCSO?
Establish a Command Staff from within the ranks to gain the Deputies confidence and improve moral. Encourage all employees to “Get Involved” with Community Organizations and Clubs so that the residents of Nassau County can get to know them and likewise the Deputies can gain their trust. This will take both the employee’s of Nassau County Sheriff’s Office and the public to make this work.
5. Identify your top priorities during your first month on the job?
A change in the Administrative Staff. Establishment of a Committee from both the Sheriff’s Office and Community to perform a through overview of the budget and Sheriff’s Office policies and procedures.
Editor’s note: The Fernandina Observer submitted 5 questions to candidates running for Nassau County Sheriff. In separate posts (order chosen my random drawing), we will present candidate answers to our questionnaires. We thank all of our candidates for giving our readership the opportunity to be informed on issues that impact our community. Early voting begins at 10:00 a.m. August 4. Election day is August 14.
August 1, 2012 7:36 a.m.