ALACHUA COUNTY SHERIFF S OFFICE

Transcription

1 ALACHUA COUNTY SHERIFF S OFFICE Sadie Darnell, Sheriff 2621 SE Hawthorne Road P.O. Box 5489 Gainesville, Florida, 32641

2 A Message from the Sheriff I am pleased to present the 2011 Alachua County Sheriff s Office (ACSO) Annual Report. The Alachua County Sheriff s Office is an Accredited 5 C (Criminal, Court, Civil, Corrections and Communications) law enforcement agency with jurisdiction in over 960 square miles of Alachua County. We have provided these services since Accreditation is a coveted professional recognition bestowed by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA), Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission (FCAC) and the Commission for Law Enforcement Accreditation s (CALEA) Public Safety Communications Accreditation Program (PSCAP) that symbolizes professionalism, excellence and competence. Our Combined Communications Center (CCC) was awarded the prestigious Flagship award for the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and again in February The high standards of ACSO are underscored by these accreditation awards. We stand for the highest quality law enforcement and inmate detention, rendered with dedication to equality, fairness and professional integrity. Our over 800 sworn and civilian employees strive to keep our streets and communities safe for Alachua County s citizens. ACSO works in cooperation with the nine local municipalities (Alachua, Archer, Gainesville, Hawthorne, High Springs, LaCrosse, Micanopy, Newberry, Waldo) that make up Alachua County to ensure that the services provided are supported by the countywide jurisdiction and authority vested in the Sheriff. In addition, we maintain a strong working relationship with Santa Fe College and the University of Florida Police Departments. Special events, traffic enforcement details, internet crimes against children and various other investigative efforts are worked in a collaborative relationship with these agencies on a regular basis. This year as I write this, we have just handled one of Alachua County s deadliest motor vehicle crashes in its history where eleven people lost their lives. On January 29, 2012 a series of crashes occurred when smoke from nearby brush fires combined with fog, limiting visibility to near zero for unaware motorists on both I-75 and US 441. The initial response and later relief efforts involved more than 50 deputies and more than 40 Combined Communications Center call takers/dispatchers. First responding deputies operated in some of the most difficult conditions imaginable in zero visibility as they attempted to rescue motorists trapped in the wreckage of more than 23 cars and tractor trailers. On October 29, 2010 one of our own deputies was involved in a vehicle crash that left him critically injured. Deputy Mathew Bugg is recovering now after months of surgery and rehabilitation. While responding to a separate traffic crash, our deputy was hit head on by the fleeing hit and run suspect. Thanks to the quick action of Gainesville Police Officers, who were also responding to the same traffic crash, they heroically risked their own lives to save Deputy Bugg s life. Both of these incidents are reminders of the dangers inherent in the law enforcement profession. In both incidents these deputies, officers and other public safety responders put their own safety aside, without hesitation, in order to save the lives of others. Their bravery will be recognized during our annual Awards Ceremony. In 2011, our agency wrote over 19,000 traffic citations including high hazard (DUI, Red Light, Running Stop Sign, Speeding, etc.) and other criminal (Driving with Suspended License, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, etc.) violations. The motor unit also placed in the top three of two 2

3 A Message from the Sheriff continued areas in a statewide traffic competition by the Department of Transportation, winning 2 nd place for Click it or Ticket enforcement and education efforts; and 1st place for overall traffic related enforcement. With the lingering failing national economy and cuts to government budgets, the ACSO is acutely aware of the need to provide services while keeping costs to the taxpayers neutral. As such, I am pleased to continue to offer our FREE programs: RAD (Rape Aggression Defense), Teen Driver, and the Gun Bounty Programs that prevent and deter crime. In 2011 we provided instruction in Teen Driver Challenge to approximately 275 students and held monthly RAD instruction classes in conjunction with Santa Fe College for 150 participants. Other cost neutral and/or supplemental programs include Teen Court, Reserve Deputy and Seniors vs. Crime Units. Available to first time misdemeanor juvenile offenders, our Juvenile Relations Bureau (JRB) Teen Court Program continues to be one of the top diversion programs in the State of Florida. Our Reserve Deputy Unit expanded their role this year and now assists our Crime Prevention staff during special event details. The Reserves are fully certified law enforcement personnel who work part time in an unpaid voluntary capacity supplementing our full time deputies. In 2011, we received approximately 120 applicants for Reserve Deputy Positions. We currently have 20 active Reserve Deputies who are required to volunteer at least 12 hours per month to ACSO, maximizing our law enforcement resources. The Attorney General s Seniors vs. Crime Unit, housed in our building and operated by senior volunteers, handled 61 cases, 25 assists, 1 criminal referral, 2 arrests and recovered property totaling $102,498. These volunteers provided 979 hours of free service to our community in Staff members consistently look for ways to improve on our successful programs and add innovative law enforcement tools, without impacting our budget. In 2011, ACSO was awarded grants totaling $3,181,354. These awards included monies for personnel, overtime and various equipment that we would have otherwise not had. Followers on our Facebook, YouTube and Twitter social sites have consistently increased as we enter the third year of implementation, and the addition of a crime tip link are popular hits. Go to Sheriff/ , Twitter: YouTube: to find out more. Don t forget to try out the interactive crime reporting program called CrimeReports.com on our ACSO website. The Department of the Jail was recognized for efforts in the Community Outreach Programs including: promoting literacy in the GED program- graduating 59 inmates; transcribing oral histories for the Matheson Museum, strengthening a relationship with the Veterans Administration to provide incarcerated veterans benefits and services and providing work squads for city, county and social service agencies that generated a savings of more than $206,900. In 2011, the Combined Communications Center added the High Springs Police Department to its dispatch partners. The CCC began in June 2011 to achieve the important designation of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) for 911 Centers. As of this report 59 CCC employees have been trained. It is expected that the NCMEC designation will be achieved by as early as the second quarter of Early in 2012 a component of CCC training having to do with the Department of Health Certification (DOH) will be modified to permit the running of two academies simultaneously and avoid obligating other agencies to our training standards beyond what the State requires. In 2011, the Combined Communications Center processed a total of 430,900 telephone calls for service for law enforcement, fire and medical issues. Of these 277,814 calls came in on non-emergency or administrative lines and 153,086 were emergency telephone calls. 3

4 A Message from the Sheriff continued The Alachua County Sheriff s Office has 922 permanent positions. During 2011, the Agency averaged 849 permanent employees, 144 volunteers and 17 reserve employees. Hiring qualified law enforcement, detention and civilian support staff who reflect the diversity of the Alachua County community takes frequent and targeted recruiting. We are always looking for new talent to join our team. If interested in becoming a part of our great team, contact our Human Resources Bureau at As your Alachua County Sheriff, it is my honor to serve this community and to promote a service organization that compliments safety and quality of life. By way of this annual report, I extend my appreciation to each of you, the men and women of the Alachua County Sheriff s Office, who have contributed so much, individually and collectively, to serving our County so well. To learn more about our agency, please visit. Sincerely, Sheriff Sadie Darnell MISSION STATEMENT: SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY FIRST, COMMITMENT TO THE EMPLOYEES ALWAYS. Through our partnerships we are...the Alachua County Sheriff s Office Always Committed to Serving Others VALUE STATEMENT: Protect, Serve and Support Our Community with Integrity AGENCY OBJECTIVES: #1 Provide the Highest Level of Protection to Our Citizens and Community. #2 Provide the Highest Level of Professional Service to Our Citizens and Community. #3 Provide Our Employees With the Support, Development and Resources that Promotes Excellence in Protection and Service. 4

5 Command Staff David Huckstep Chief Deputy Marlene Hanna Executive Assistant Sidney Starr Executive Secretary Robin Byrne Executive Secretary Retired in 2011 Mike Fellows Major LeGran Hewitt Major Charlie Lee Interim Director of the Jail Karen Love Captain Cindy Weygant General Counsel Laura Knudson Bureau Chief Todd Kelly PIO Sergeant 5

6 Command Staff David Clark Captain Jeff Cloutier Captain Donnie Love Captain (Retired in 2011) Linda Jones Division Manager John Redmond Acting Captain Lori Stophel Captain Mike Tudeen Division Manager Keith Vermillion Captain Corey Warren Acting Captain Walt Withey Captain 6

7 Office of the Sheriff Sadie Darnell, Sheriff (352) Sheriff Sadie Darnell was sworn in as the first female Sheriff of Alachua County on November 14, She was re-elected to a second term in November She was born in Gainesville on December 23, 1951, and educated in the public school system before going on to receive an Associates degree from Santa Fe Community College, a Bachelor s Degree in Psychology and a Master s Degree in Educational Leadership both from the University of Florida. She is a graduate of the 168th Session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia and the John F. Kennedy School of Government Executive Program. She worked for 30 years for the Gainesville Police Department, having been promoted through the ranks to Captain before retiring and ultimately returning as the agency s Community Relations Coordinator, working with special needs citizens and victims. Sheriff Darnell is currently a member of the Florida Sheriff s Association (FSA) Board of Directors, FSA Legislative Committee, FSA Deputy Sheriff s Association, Regional Domestic Security Task Force Law Enforcement Subcommittee Co-Chair, Florida Gang Reduction Task Force Region 3 Co-Chair, Member-Florida Sheriff s Worker s Compensation Self Insurance Fund Audit Committee, Region 3 Drug Strike Force Co-Chair, the National Sheriff s Association, the FBI Alumni Associates, and the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives. Colonel David Huckstep, Chief Deputy (352) Colonel David Huckstep is a 34+ year veteran in law enforcement, including 26 years at the Gainesville Police Department where he worked all aspects of law enforcement and rose through the ranks to Police Commander. In 2001, after a lengthy nationwide search, he was selected by the City Council of Thomasville, Georgia, and served until November of 2006, as Thomasville s Chief of Police. While there, he promoted Community Oriented Policing and earned both National and State Accreditations. Col. Huckstep holds a Masters in Public Administration from Columbus State University and a Bachelor of Science in Criminology from Indiana State University. He is a graduate of the 220th Session of the FBI National Academy and has attended numerous executive level training programs with well over 3000 hours of professional law enforcement training. Col. Huckstep was chosen by Sheriff Sadie Darnell upon her election in 2006, to serve as her Chief Deputy, second-in-command. The Chief Deputy assists the Sheriff in the day-to-day operations of the agency and assumes command of the agency in the absence of the Sheriff. Three Department heads, three at the rank of Major report directly to the Chief Deputy. Department of Operations Major Mike Fellows Criminal Investigation Division (Drug Task Force, Detectives, Forensics, Intelligence, Juvenile Relations, Domestic Security Task Force) Uniform Patrol Division Districts I & II (Patrol, Special Operations, Aviation, K-9, Traffic, et al.) Department of Support Services Major LeGran Hewitt Judicial Services & Training Division (Civil, Court Security, Training & Warrants) Technical Services Division (Combined Communications Center, Information Technology) Administrative Services Division (Records, Accounting & Budget, Human Resources, Grants & Legislative Unit, Fleet, Property) Department of the Jail A/Major Charlie Lee (Interim Director) 7

8 Office of Professional Standards: (352) The Office of Professional Standards (OPS) Annual Report for 2011, includes a statistical analysis of all Formal Complaints, Internal Affairs Investigations, Fire Team Investigations, Administrative Inquiries and Vehicle Crash Reviews as well as Inspections and Audits. During 2011, there were one hundred forty-seven (147) Formal Complaints/Internal Affairs/Fire Team Administrative Investigations agency-wide. This includes two (2) Fire Team Investigations and twentytwo (22) Administrative Investigations that are still pending as of February 3, There were 17 Administrative Inquiries in 2011, two (2) of which are still pending. (*Administrative Inquiries are not calculated into the statistics because they are not issued a finding). Out of the one hundred twenty-five (125) closed Administrative Investigations, a total of one hundred fifty-nine (159) allegations were generated. Of that amount: 106 Administrative Investigations or 85% were Formal Complaints, generating 127 allegations. Of the 127 allegations, 120 or 94% were Sustained. 16 Administrative Investigations or 13% were Internal Affairs Investigations, generating 32 allegations. Of the 32 allegations, 27 or 84% were Sustained. 2 Administrative Investigations or 2% were Fire Team Investigations, generating 3 allegations. 1 Fire Team Investigation is still pending. Of the 1 closed allegation, zero or 0% were Sustained. Of the 125 closed Administrative Investigations, there were a total of 100 employees involved, which represents 12% of our 850 employees. Of the total 159 allegations: 147 or 92% were Sustained 4 or 3% were Not-Sustained 1 or 1% were Unfounded 6 or 3% were Exonerated 0 or 0% was Exonerated due to Policy Failure 1 or 1% was Non-Preventable ACSO VEHICLE CRASH REVIEW COMMITTEE The ACSO Vehicle Crash Review Committee reviewed 91 crashes involving ACSO leased or owned vehicles during the 2011, calendar year. This represented a thirteen percent (13%) decrease from the 104 crashes reviewed in Of the 91 crashes in 2011, 36 or 40% were preventable, 54 or 59% were non-preventable and 1 or 1% was preventable with extenuating circumstances. For comparison, of the 103 crashes in 2010, 46 or 45% were preventable and 57 or 55% were nonpreventable. Weather, unseen objects, road hazards, animals, lighting, computer terminals, cell phones and overgrown vegetation were listed as contributing causes in twenty-seven (27) crashes. The Office of Professional Standards continues to monitor trends that may reduce the number of traffic crashes. Of the 36 preventable crashes in 2011, 16 or 44% involved the driver striking a fixed object (curb, tree, pole, barrier, etc.) while moving forward. 8

9 Office of Professional Standards Continued ACSO AUDITS During 2011, an Annual Evidence Inspection was conducted by an OPS Investigator for the year of 2010, and an Evidence Function Audit was completed for the year of Quarterly, an OPS Inspector conducts Investigative and Evidence Fund Audits, totaling fifteen (15) audits a year. There were four (4) Investigative Evidence Fund Audits conducted for the Criminal Investigative Division, four (4) for the Warrants Bureau, four (4) for the Gainesville-Alachua County Drug Task Force and three (3) for the Community Oriented Policing Unit. Public Information Office: (352) The Public Information Office (PIO) is a conduit for the most up-to-date information provided to the public concerning all matters relating to the Alachua County Sheriff s Office. On average, the Public Information Office receives more than 100 media-related calls and 34 citizen requests for information weekly. In response to media inquiries, information is researched and disseminated through print, television, radio interviews, social media and news releases. Proactive coverage of major events, arrests, and unusual situations occurring within the scope of law enforcement work are provided as events unfold. The Public Information Office also coordinates media coverage in an effort to assist other divisions in locating fugitives, ascertaining information pertinent to criminal investigations, and finding missing persons. In addition, the Public Information Office is responsible for producing the "North Central Florida's Most Wanted TV segment. Furthermore, the PIO maintains the news/media and crime prevention portions of the ACSO website, produces educational literature, the agency annual report, and maintains the agency s Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube accounts. 9

10 Trauma Intervention and Special Services Bureau: The Trauma Intervention and Special Services Bureau (TISSB) was established by Sheriff Darnell in In 2011, TISSB focused on a number of special projects for the Sheriff along with the work of the Victim Advocate Unit. Seniors vs. Crime, a program administered by the Florida Office of the Attorney General made a difference in the lives of local seniors with their senior sleuths. In 2011, the Bureau continued its work with the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence to bring state of the art training to area law enforcement and partner agencies in an effort to better intervene in high danger intimate partner violence. As a result of grant funding the training was free to participants. National experts/trainers and law enforcement veterans provided full-day workshops. Through the Eyes of a Child: Witnessing Intimate Partner Violence was held on May 20th. National expert, Nancy Cline and survivor, Sgt. Carol Adams, trained 20 sworn and 72 civilians. Participants learned about national research and resources related to child witnesses to violence and intimate partner homicide. On June 17th, veteran law enforcement trainer, Marcus Bruning and survivor, Susan Stihl, trained 27 sworn and 67 civilians at In the Looking Glass: A Battering Relationship and the System s Response. Participants received report writing templates for primary aggressor, child witness, excited utterances and strangulation along with a domestic violence investigation checklist. Grant funding also allowed for the development of an intensive on High Risk Response Teams for Intimate Partner Violence. Training was provided by Kelly Dunne of an award winning program out of Massachusetts. The Safer Community Model enables communities to identify, monitor and contain high risk offenders, provide enhanced levels of coordinated response to domestic violence victims, and deliver comprehensive services for families. These combined efforts create safer communities. For those victims and families who choose to stay in their communities, this model can present a viable alternative to shelter for some. Saving Lives: Creating Safer Communities was held on June 17th and attended by 5 sworn and 22 civilians from designated partner agencies. Training topics included high risk response teams, strangulation, danger/risk assessment, safety planning and predominant aggressor. At the end of the training day, Peaceful Paths, our local Domestic Violence intervention program and shelter, agreed to launch and lead a High Risk Response Team in Team membership will Include law enforcement, the domestic violence center and other community partners like the prosecutor s office, probation, hospital ER staff, child welfare, victim advocates, batterer s intervention program and animal services. Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence (MNADV) Lethality Assessment Program (LAP) was implemented at ACSO in September of With LAP, the deputy on scene assesses victim danger and then links her/him to the local certified domestic violence center for help. As a result, victims of domestic violence are accessing services sooner than ever before. In the second year of operation, ACSO deputies conducted 410 screens (1.12/day) for high danger in intimate partner violence. Fifty-nine percent (59%) of the 414 screens scored in as High Danger (243 victims). Deputies effectively linked 123 (51%) of the 243 high danger victims to the local hotline for service. To strengthen response to high danger victims, Bureau staff continued to participate on the InVEST (Intimate Violence Enhanced Services Team) along with ACSO domestic violence detective and Peaceful Paths advocate. The team reviews all LAPs, domestic battery, dating violence cases to ensure enhanced services for victims. Follow up services include relocation, injunctions for protection, referral to social service programs, counseling, well-being checks, safety planning, crime compensation and shelter. The InVEST team met weekly in

11 TISSB continued The TISSB Bureau Chief continues to serve on Law Enforcement Families Partnership (LEFP) Statewide Committee on Model Policy for Officer-Involved Domestic Violence. The Committee is guided by the Institute for Family Violence Studies at Florida State University. The statewide policy was launched in June, 2010, and distributed to law enforcement agencies across the state. In 2011, the Committee looked at distribution and the need for additional statewide efforts. TISSB, the Alachua County Crisis Center, Gainesville Police Department, and the Medical Examiner s Office collaborated the produce the brochure, When You ve Experienced the Death of a Loved One. The information in the brochure helps guide grieving family and friends in the early days of a sudden death loss by suicide, homicide, natural death, crashes or accidents. Victim Advocate Unit According to the National Organization of Victim Assistance, experts have learned over the years that crime victims who are treated with dignity, compassion and respect will learn to cope more effectively with the pain of being a crime victim. To that end, the Victim Advocate Unit of the Sheriff s Office was established in Funding for the program is provided through a grant by the Florida s Office of the Attorney General with federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) dollars. VOCA is a major funding source for victim service programs across the county. The funds are secured from criminal fines, forfeited bail bonds, penalty fees and special assessments on offenders, NOT from taxpayers dollars. In 2011, the Victim Advocate Unit was awarded a VOCA grant in the amount of $107,079 to continue providing direct services to victims of crime in FY 2011/12. For every dollar that the Sheriff s Office provides as a match to the VOCA grant, ACSO receives $4 to fund the program. Currently, the unit is staffed with four victim advocates. Advocates offer advocacy and services to victims who report their crimes to the Alachua County Sheriff s Office. Those served include victims of property crime and crimes against persons like child physical abuse, child sexual abuse, DUI crashes, domestic violence, elder abuse, stalking, robbery, assault and survivors of homicide victims. In 2011, staff provided service to 4,532 victims of crimes. Staff are on call 24 hours-a-day to provide immediate on scene crisis intervention and support. As first responders, victim advocates work in partnership with deputies and detectives to take care of the needs of crime victims. Service to victims includes accompaniment at court-related proceedings, victim compensation, notification of rights, community resource information and referral services and personal advocacy. During the year, 16,625 service units were provided to victims reporting in 2011 and to victims from previous years who still receive services. To fully meet the needs of victims of crime within Alachua County, the unit depends on volunteers from the community and interns from the University of Florida and Santa Fe College. Volunteers must be over the age of 18 and complete an application and background check. In 2011, the unit had 11 volunteer/interns who provided 856 hours of service to victims. 11

12 Seniors vs. Crime Seniors vs. Crime is a program of the Florida Attorney General s Office. The Sheriff houses the program so local citizens can benefit from the service. Founded in 1989 by the Attorney General and the American Association of Retired Persons, the program uses retired volunteers to not only educate Floridians on consumer fraud, but also to help in some consumer investigations. In addition, the volunteers regularly conduct seminars on how seniors can protect themselves from becoming crime victims. Citizens are encouraged to talk with the program s senior sleuths if someone has taken advantage of them, cheated them out of money, or not delivered on what they promised. In 2011, Seniors vs. Crime had 61 cases. Twelve were resolved with recovery. The value recovered was $102,498. During the year, volunteers provided 979 hours of service to Alachua County. For program information, consumer inquiries, consumer complaints, or to schedule a Consumer Seminar, please call or visit the website: Community Outreach Collaborations with other victim-serving agencies ensure coordinated services in the county. Designated Bureau staff act as community ambassadors by creating partnerships that ensure improve service. In 2011, TISSB staff served on the Alachua County Children s Alliance, Coalition Against Sexual Violence, Child Abuse Prevention Task Force (Safe Sleep Workgroup), Domestic Violence Task Force, the Victims Rights Week Committee, Drug Endangered Children Task Force, Child Protection Team Advisory Group, Sexual Battery Committee of the Gainesville Commission on the Status of Women and Community Coalition for Older Americans. Staff also participated in United Way s Community Visioning project. As members of the Alachua County Children s Alliance, staff worked with child-serving agencies on the second application to America s Promise Alliance. Alachua County was chosen once again as one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People and awarded the designation in November. Throughout 2011, collaborations and partnerships created improved services for victims of crime and hopefully created a climate of respect for them as they journey to a place of resilience. 12

13 Department of Support Services Administrative Services Division Accounting & Budget Bureau Records Bureau Human Resources Bureau Grants & Legislative Unit Technical Services Division Communications Operations Bureau Support Bureau Fleet Maintenance Unit Property/Facilities Unit Evidence Section Technology Support Bureau Information Technology Unit False Alarm Reduction Unit Support Services Unit CAD/GIS Unit Judicial Services & Training Division Civil Bureau Court Security Bureau Training Bureau Warrants Bureau 13

14 Administrative Services Division Accounting & Budget Bureau: (352) BUDGET: For Fiscal Year 2009/10: General Fund: Budget 521 Law Enforcement $28,949, Jail 26,431, Combined Communication Center 6,903, Court Security/Bailiffs 2,750,586 Total General Fund $65,034,686 The Alachua County Sheriff s Office total General Fund budget for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2010 and ending September 30, 2011 totals $65,034,686. The main sources of revenue in the General Fund are transfers in from the Board of County Commissioners consisting mainly of ad valorem revenues in the form of property taxes. The budget funds salaries and benefits, operating expenses and capital-related items. The budget is divided into four main functions consisting of Law Enforcement, Jail, Combined Communications Center and Court Security/Bailiffs. Law Enforcement represents 44.5 percent of the General Fund budget, the Jail represents 40.6 percent, the Combined Communications Center represents 10.6 percent and Court Security/Bailiffs represents the smallest portion at 3 percent. Salaries and benefits represent over 80 percent of the total General Fund budget. Operating costs mainly consist of technology-related expenses, liability and auto insurance and mandated contracts such as the Inmate Medical Contract, which alone represents 62.6 percent of the Jail s operating costs. Vehicles represent 100 percent of the capital-related budget. In addition to the General Fund, the Sheriff s Office has various Special Revenue funds which account for the proceeds of specific revenue sources that are legally restricted to expenditure for specified purposes. Our Special Revenue funds consist mainly of State and Federal grants awarded to the agency throughout the year. The Accounting & Budget Bureau is responsible for the sound and timely accounting of all fiscal matters of the Alachua County Sheriff s Office in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and governmental accounting standards. The Bureau prepares the annual certified budget for presentation to the Board of County Commissioners and monitors the budget throughout the year. The Bureau also hosts the annual independent audit of the financial statements and prepares financial statements for presentation to the Auditor General. Other responsibilities of the Bureau include Accounts Payable, Bi-Weekly Payroll Processing and Payroll Quality Control, Purchasing, Trust Funds and Grant Financial Reporting. 14

15 Planning, Policy and Accreditation Bureau: (352) The Planning, Policy and Accreditation Bureau functions under the auspices of the Administrative Services Division Commander and contains the Planning & Policy Unit and the Accreditation Unit. The Planning & Policy Unit researches, writes, edits, and promulgates the policies and procedures of the ACSO into the ACSO Directive Management System after review by executive staff. The Accreditation Unit maintains records pertaining to the accreditations currently held by the Alachua County Sheriff s Office. Accreditation is a coveted award that symbolizes professionalism, excellence, and competence. The components of an accreditation program include professionals who act with discretion in the public trust to standards set by experts in the field. An independent process is designed to implement the standards, verify compliance and award recognition. The Alachua County Sheriff s Office received the National Sheriffs Association s Triple Crown Award in 2000 by simultaneously achieving CALEA, ACA and NCCHC Accreditation. Acquiring all three at the same time is an extraordinary feat. In fact, the Triple Crown distinction is so rare, that since the establishment of the award in 1993, fewer than 35 sheriffs offices have qualified. This is a one-time award that is maintained by the agency forever. The ACSO is currently accredited through: Commission for Florida Enforcement Accreditation (CFA). Accreditation allows a law enforcement agency to gain professional excellence, community and governmental support, as well as employee confidence in the direction and future of the agency. The ACSO received its initial CFA Reaccreditation in 1997 and was Reaccredited for the fourth consecutive time in The next Reaccreditation is scheduled for Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission (FCAC). The overall purpose of the FCAC is to improve the delivery of correctional services. All aspects of Correctional operations are addressed through the standards, including: Admission, Classification, Housing, Sanitation, Food Services, Personnel Issues, Fiscal Activities, Security, Training, and Medical. The ACSO received its initial FCAC Accreditation in 1999 and was Reaccredited for the fourth consecutive time in September of Public Safety Communications Accreditation Program (PSCAP through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). The CALEA Public Safety Communications Accreditation Program provides a communications center with a process to systemically review and internally assess its operations and procedures. The ACSO Combined Communications Center (CCC) received its initial CALEA PSCAP Accreditation in 2002 and was Reaccredited for the third consecutive time in March In 2008 and 2011, the CCC received the distinguished Flagship Award from CALEA, making it one of only several communication centers through the United States who have achieved this status. 15

16 Records Bureau: (352) The Records Bureau is a 24/7 operation responsible for customer service to the public and support to law enforcement personnel locally and throughout the country. This bureau provides entry and maintenance of all county-wide wanted persons, missing persons and stolen property items in the Florida and National Criminal Information Center systems within the guidelines set by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Federal Bureau of Investigations. The Records Bureau services include emergency injunction preparation, electronic fingerprint services, public record requests (in accordance with Florida State Statute 119, Public Record Law), maintenance of all the agency law enforcement report files, and data entry into the records management systems. The Records Bureau calculates the Uniform Crime Reporting statistics on a semi-annual and annual basis and submits them to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The Grants & Legislative Unit: (352) The Grants and Legislative Unit performs grant research, development, implementation and compliance monitoring of all grants, and supports the Sheriff in Federal and State legislative affairs. Additional support is provided by facilitating, managing, implementing special projects and initiatives, and providing information and assistance to various entities, both internally and externally. 16

17 Human Resources Bureau: (352) The Human Resources Bureau (HRB) primary goal is to enhance the Alachua County Sheriff's Office pursuit of professional standards by providing the expertise and best practices in the management of Human Resources. We are dedicated to attracting, retaining, and supporting a qualified diverse workforce in order to meet the public safety needs of the citizens of Alachua County and retaining our most valuable resource high performing employees. The HRB is responsible for the overall hiring process for the Sheriff s Office to include but not limited to: Arranging oral board interviews, medical appointments, academic testing and performance testing such as firearms and physical agility. New hire orientation, employee benefits, promotional testing, supervisory training, the performance evaluation system, and employee career service appeals. Ensuring compliance with all local, state and federal employment laws and regulations. Management of all personnel employment files, ensuring proper storage and confidentiality. Management of all applicant files, ensuring proper storage and confidentiality. The HRB also facilitates the management and administration of: The various recognition programs and activities, compensation administration, change in employment status, education and wellness programs. Administer mandated programs such as Family Medical Leave, Worker s Compensation and Line of Duty benefits. The State of Florida Retirement System pension and investment plans for all eligible employees. The risk management program including the agency's annual insurance renewal process. The agency s identification card security system. The Alachua County Sheriff s Office has 922 budgeted positions. During 2011, the Agency averaged 849 permanent employees, 144 volunteers and 17 reserve employees. Hiring qualified law enforcement, detention and civilian support staff that reflects the diversity of the Alachua County community takes frequent and targeted recruiting. 17

18 Human Resources Bureau Continued During 2011, the Human Resources Bureau and the Agency Recruitment Team attended job fairs and coordinated presentations to many schools and academies throughout our county. January 25, 2011 UF Recruiting Roundtable - UF February 19, 2011 Alachua Safety Day Kanapaha Middle School April 23, 2011 First Annual Gator Fly In - GAP April 30, 2011 Career Fair Santa Fe College May 21, 2011 Newberry Watermelon Festival July 21, 2011 UF Recruiting Roundtable - UF September 13, 2011 Gainesville Career Fair The Human Resources Bureau received and processed approximately 1,356 applications during 2011 in an effort to keep staffing at essential levels in all areas of the agency. Out of the 1,356 applications, 98 new employees were hired during The Alachua County Sheriff s Office hiring process includes a comprehensive background investigation. During 2011, the HRB background investigators checked 731 prior employer references and 506 personal references, conducted 223 door-to-door neighborhood checks, and administered 197 polygraph examinations. 18

19 Technical Services Division Combined Communications Center: (352) COMBINED COMMUNICATIONS CENTER CALEA FLAGSHIP AWARD RECIPIENT CALEA FLAGSHIP AWARD RECIPIENT The Combined Communications Center (CCC) is a consolidated communications center that provides public safety communications services for the Alachua County Sheriff s Office (ACSO), Alachua County Fire Rescue (ACFR), Gainesville Police Department (GPD), Waldo Police Department, High Springs Police Department and Gainesville Fire Rescue (GFR). Additionally, the center also provides police or fire communications services to other municipalities within the county including Alachua, La- Crosse, Archer, Micanopy, Newberry, and Melrose. The Combined Communications Center is staffed with highly trained professionals 24 hours-a-day, 365 days-a-year. They are the first of first responders to field hundreds of incoming calls each day, make sense out of chaos, determine the best course of action, and quickly forward that information to the appropriate public safety first responder. They must also monitor multiple radio frequencies, dispatch calls to the police, fire, and medical units, access a variety of local, state, and federal databases, and track activities in the field. The split-second decisions they make can mean the difference between life and death. All telecommunicators, whether dispatchers or call takers, are certified in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). All call takers are also certified in Emergency Medical Dispatching (EMD). EMD allows telecommunicators to provide pre-arrival first aid. The CCC is equipped with some of the most modern and technologically advanced equipment systems. It features a fully enhanced system (E-9-1-1) that automatically displays the telephone number and location of calls made from landline and wireless phones. A Computer Aided Dispatch system (CAD) tracks all calls for service, law enforcement, fire-rescue, and EMS. The center also uses an 800 MHz trunked radio system that allows for local and statewide interoperable radio communications. 19

20 The Combined Communications Center is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), which awarded CCC its prestigious Flagship award for the years 2008, 2009, and In addition, the Center once again received Flagship status during the re-accreditation process. This is an almost unheard of accomplishment of back-to-back elite recognition. This selection places the Center among a very elite group of public safety agencies, communications centers, and training academies nationwide that reflect the highest level of professional standards and quality of work. The staff of the Technical Services Division, the agency as a whole, and in particular the staff from the Alachua County Sheriff's Office Accreditation Bureau, under the leadership of Manager Kathy Pascucci, helped the center achieve this honor. In 2011, the center processed approximately 430,900 emergency and non-emergency calls from citizens in Alachua County Calls 7-Digit Admin TOTAL Of these calls, 263,820 were specifically for law enforcement services for either Alachua County Sheriff s Office deputies, the police officers of the Gainesville Police Department, or the police officers of the Waldo Police Department and High Springs Police Department Total Calls for Service Total Law Enforcement calls for service 20

21 ACSO 1999 GPD 1999 ACSO 2000 GPD 2000 ACSO 2001 GPD 2001 ACSO 2002 GPD 2002 ACSO 2003 GPD 2003 ACSO 2004 GPD 2004 ACSO 2005 GPD 2005 ACSO 2006 GPD 2006 ACSO 2007 GPD 2007 ACSO 2008 GPD 2008 ACSO 2009 GPD 2009 ACSO 2010 GPD 2010 ACSO 2011 GPD 2011 Protect, Serve and Support Our Community with Integrity False Alarm Reduction Unit (FARU) (352) The False Alarm Reduction Unit (FARU) was established for the purpose of regulating and reducing the number of false alarms within the City of Gainesville and the unincorporated area of Alachua County. This office administers all county alarm ordinances from one central office housed in the Combined Communications Center. The FARU's main function is to reduce the number of false alarms to which police and firefighters respond each year. Under the leadership of Technology Support Bureau Chief Jennifer Altenburger, this unit serves as a model across the nation for other agencies to replicate ACSO & GPD Alarm Responses Information Technology Unit The Information Technology Unit (ITU) is responsible for implementing and maintaining all computer, telephone, wireless, paging and network systems and system software at the ACSO. During 2011, the ACSO ITU unit: Completed the upgrade of the agency s fleet of ruggedized mobile laptops Moved the agency to new, 4G wireless technology Assisted in a project to implement a new remote server room. Launched a major upgrade to the ACSO records management system software. Began work on a pilot project to automate entry of wants/warrants to the state system directly from the records management system software. 21

22 Alachua Archer Brooker Cross Creek Earleton Evinston Gainesville Hawthorne High Springs Island Grove Jonesville LaCrosse Lochloosa Melrose Micanopy Newberry Orange Heights Waldo Windsor ***Other Total Judicial Services & Training Division Civil Bureau: (352) The Civil Bureau is located in the County Administration Building and is responsible for the service and enforcement of all types of judicial processes within Alachua County. Additionally, the Civil Bureau deputies occasionally assist the Court Security Bureau with special events, exceptionally large trials, and personnel shortages. In 2011, the bureau received a total of 29,813 civil papers for service, 1,551 enforceable writs, and 17 Writs of Execution which eventually result in a Sheriff s sale by court order. During 2011, 24,914 civil papers were served in the City of Gainesville. The remaining papers were served among the other county municipalities. 35,000 30,000 35,000 30,000 25,000 25,000 20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000 0 Enforceable Non-enforceable Total Papers Received **Levies Received ,000 15,000 10,000 5, ,000 30,000 25,000 20,000 15,000 10,000 5,

23 Court Security Bureau: (352) The Alachua County Sheriff s Office Court Security Bureau is dedicated to providing security and safety for judges, officers of the court, participants in court proceedings, citizens and employees within the Alachua County Family and Civil Justice Center and the Alachua County Criminal Justice Center. The mission of the Court Security Bureau is to serve the citizens of Alachua County in a lawful, fair, impartial 24, and non-discriminating manner. Our mission is to provide a high level of court security and professional support, and to ensure that court mandates are carried out in a manner that respects individual rights and freedoms. Our mission is to work cooperatively with all other law enforcement and criminal justice agencies and to ensure that the citizens of Alachua County are receiving the full range of law enforcement services required for a safe and orderly society. 7,601 4,452 Court Activity Circuit Court County Court Security Stations/duties County Admin Building Building Security Checks There are two courthouses in Alachua County. The Family and Civil Justice Center handles family and civil matters such as domestic violence, juvenile cases, shelter hearings and law suits. The Criminal Justice Center handles criminal cases. There were approximately 26,00 cases filed in Alachua County during Many of these cases ended up in court. The Court Security Bureau screened approximately 540,966 people for weapons/contraband as they entered both courthouses during Court Security personnel made 344 arrests and fingerprinted 7,068 defendants. 877 DNA specimens were collected per Florida statutes for felony offenses. There were 192 Assist Other Agencies Incident Reports DNA Specimens Collected Holding Cell Checks Fingerprints Taken Civil Papers Served Jury Meals Escorts Contraband Checks Arrests

24 Training Bureau: (352) The Alachua County Sheriff s Office (ACSO) provides a variety of in-house training programs, which include pre-service, in-service, remedial and specialized training; all designed to enable employees to perform their varied job tasks effectively and safely. Training programs are planned and managed in such a manner to ensure compliance with the needs of each employee s job classification/description and the requirements of the position. The State of Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC) directives and applicable accreditation standards are used as guidelines for employee training opportunities provided by the ACSO. Law Enforcement Basic Recruit Classes The Training Bureau coordinated two (2) full-time and one (1) part-time Law Enforcement Basic Recruit classes at IPS. Additionally, Training Bureau instructors coordinated the following high-liability areas of each of the Basic Recruit classes conducted in 2011: defensive tactics, driving and physical training. In addition, the Training Bureau coordinated one(1) full-time Law Enforcement Crossover Academy from Corrections at IPS. Law Enforcement and Department of the Jail Field Training Deputy (FTS) Programs The Field Training Deputy Program (FTD) is based on a model used nationwide that trains new deputies (Police Academy graduates ) over an eighteen week period. The Department of the Jails Field Training Officer Program (FTO) works much like its law enforcement counterpart with the new officer starting as an observer and working closely with a Field Training Officer until prepared to do the entire job on their own. Law Enforcement and Department of the Jail In-service Training Each year, all sworn deputies at the Sheriff s Office receive a minimum of 40 hours of retraining in various topics. These include, but are not limited to, Human Diversity, Communications Skills, Driving, Firearms, C.P.R., and Defensive Tactics. The Department of the Jail s In-service Training Program requires 16 hours of in-service training and updates Detention Officers on current correction trends, as well as topics for ever day use such as interpersonal skills and officer safety. Additional roll call training is provided throughout the year for both sworn and civilian personnel on a variety of topics such as budget, policy changes, leadership and supervisory skills, etc. Law Enforcement and Department of the Jail High-Liability Mini-Academies The Training Bureau organized, planned and instructed four (4) high-liability mini-academies for law enforcement new hires and five (5) for Department of the Jail new hires. Other Duties 24 Additionally, Training Bureau members are agency armorers, responsible for performing inspections and maintenance on all agency rifles and Glock handguns. They also serve on Pre-hire Oral Boards and Vehicle Crash Review Committees and other committees formed for the Institute of Public Safety. Sergeant Hinson of the Training Bureau provided K-9 certification for four (4) outside agencies, certifying 33 dog teams.

25 Warrants Bureau: (352) The Warrants Bureau is a specialized bureau comprised of warrants investigators, warrants technicians, and an investigative assistant. They are responsible for receiving, processing and executing all Warrants (criminal and civil arrest processes), and adult criminal summons received in Alachua County. During 2011, 7,457 warrants were issued, of which 5,882 were served, and 236 civil commitments were issued, of which 194 were served. Additionally, 160 inmates with a combined 190 warrants/commitments were located throughout Florida and nationwide. Fugitive cases are generated when an individual is arrested in another state on an Alachua County warrant or when an the individual is arrested in Alachua for another state. The fugitive process begins and is continued until the defendant is brought back to the warrant jurisdiction. In 2011, 127 cases were closed. The Warrants Bureau is responsible for arranging and/or completing all of the following transports: Inmates being brought back from other counties to address their Alachua County warrants. Active inmates in other counties that are commanded to return for a court-related proceeding. These cases require inmate transport arrangements to be made from the releasing agency and for the inmate s return back to the original facility. Transport arrangements for all fugitive arrested in other states for Alachua County warrants. The Warrants Bureau arranged for 886 total transports during 2011, involving 128,334 miles traveled. Approximately 150 ACSO warrant cases were submitted to the U.S. Marshal s Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force during Of those 150 cases, 144 have been closed by arrest. Most of these arrests are currently in the Alachua County jail awaiting trial. Warrants investigators worked 1454 hours participating in joint law enforcement operations with the Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force. These hours were in addition to regular duty hours and involved investigating, locating, and apprehending fugitives who have active local, state, and federal warrants. The Warrants Bureau also maintains the Alachua County Sheriff s Office Most Wanted web site. These featured individuals are submitted by investigators and verified weekly by Warrants Bureau technicians for accuracy. In addition, the Warrants Bureau is responsible for the annual 24-page Gainesville Sun insert highlighting approximately 300 wanted subjects. Felony cases comprised 54.7 percent of all warrants served, which is a 5.9 percent increase from Additionally, 11.5 percent of warrants served were for Juvenile Pick-Up Orders, the majority of which are comprised of felonies and violent misdemeanors. Felony cases and Juvenile Pick-Up Orders accounted for 66.2 percent of warrants served by the ACSO Warrants Bureau during Significant arrests for the year include: Murder suspects Larry Gordon, Antonio Drayton, and Clarence L. Jones; Attempted Murder and shooting suspects, Rodrick Wims and Anthony Bunn and Home Invasion Robbery suspects Antonio Price and Christopher McIntosh. A suspected child sex offender, James Rodney Lucas, was arrested at a local motel after a ruse operation lured him into Gainesville. The Haile Jewelry Store robbery suspect, Sean Riley Fullwood, was tracked down through a variety of investigative methods and located in Mendocino, California. 25

26 Department of Operations Uniform Patrol Division District I Rural Services & Teleserve Traffic Unit Crime Prevention Uniform Patrol Uniform Patrol Division District II Aviation & Reserve Deputies K-9 Unit Special Teams Crime Prevention/RAD Uniform Patrol Criminal Investigations Division Drug Task Force Detective Bureau Cold Case Unit Forensics Unit Intelligence Unit Juvenile Relations Bureau Regional Domestic Security Task Force 26

27 Uniform Patrol Division Districts 1 & 2 (352) A/ Captain Bella Blizzard Commander District 1 The ACSO Patrol Division is the backbone of the agencies activities. The Patrol Division units are the first on scene at everything from burglaries to homicides. Numerous special units and teams are encompassed by the Patrol Division including: Road Patrol Units Traffic Units K-9 Units Field Service Technicians Rural Service Deputies COPS Unit Crime Prevention Unit Joint Aviation Unit Teleserve Unit S.W.A.T. Team Crowd Management Team Honor Guard Immediate Response Riffle Team Negotiations Response Team Marine Operations/ Underwater Recovery Team BOMB Team The Specialty Units largely draw upon the Patrol Division for personnel. Major M. Fellows (352) Captain Lori Stophel Commander District 2 Our Special Weapons And Tactics Unit (S.W.A.T.) has had a very busy year. They have participated in 41 tactical operations, and they have assisted with 24 static displays at events. They also assisted the Training Bureau, CCC, UF Sniper Team, and the Warrants Bureau with trainings. This year they placed 2 nd and 3 rd in the Tampa FL Sniper Craft Competition. They placed 3 rd in the Marion County Obstacle Competition. They placed 6 th in the Orlando, FL S.W.A.T. Roundup. 27

28 Uniform Patrol and Community Policing The Alachua County Sheriff s Office Patrol Division continued through 2011 to: Provide better coverage to areas that are either experiencing a greater increase in service demand, are expanding in population, or were otherwise potentially underserved, Evenly distribute the call load, thus allowing deputies to perform their tasks more thoroughly and spend some additional time on citizen contacts Allow responding units to be more accountable to their response areas, because we can reduce the instances of deputies being required to leave their own response areas to handle calls elsewhere. Community Oriented Policing (COPS) Unit The Community Oriented Policing Unit (COPS) has continued to evolve by participating in saturation, DTF, undercover, and DUI details. The COPS/Crime Prevention Unit has increased its involvement in the community through participation in events, public presentations, and Neighborhood Crime Watch. The COPS Unit will continue to build upon and provide exceptional customer service to residents of the county in addition to law enforcement services in a continuing effort to reduce crime. The Unit includes: Crime Prevention, a Sexual offender Detective, a Public Housing and Juvenile Detective, and a combined ACSO and Gainesville Police Department Gang Unit which consists of one Detective from the ACSO and several units from the Gainesville Police Department. Community policing is an essential evolution of good old-fashioned relationship-building between our Patrol Units and the citizens we serve. Community policing is intended to pair a specific area of the county with a specific law-enforcement deputy; in effect, it s a permanent zone assignment. The benefits to the citizens are that, over time, they ll develop an ongoing relationship of trust and history with the deputies who work their area. For their part, the deputies gain an intimate knowledge of the people they serve, which gives them a strong advantage in terms of intelligence gathering, crime prevention, and public relations. 28

29 The Alachua County Crime Prevention Unit was recognized by the Florida Crime Prevention Association as the Crime Prevention Unit of the year for their diligent efforts in programs such as the South West Advocacy Group, Businesses On the Look Out, Neighborhood Crime Watch, and our Joint Animal Fighting Task Force. The unit conducted 43 residential security surveys and completed 4 CPTED surveys. The Neighborhood Crime Watches increase from 40 in 2010 to 56 in The Crime Prevention Unit attended 177 community events/meetings. The Unit also took on the responsibility of publishing an Crime Prevention Newsletter which is distributed to over 1000 citizens as well as the entire agency. The Project Lifesaver program has continued to grow. Project Life Saver is a program that helps those who suffer from Alzheimer s, Autism, and Down syndrome, who have a tendency to wander. The program uses specialized search procedures involving a radio frequency bracelet and specialized receivers. We now have 18 clients in the program. 29

30 Criminal Investigations Division Detective Bureau: (352) The Detective Bureau is the followup investigative component of the Alachua County Sheriff s Office. The detectives and staff work to identify and apprehend those who are responsible for committing crimes against persons and property, as well as financial and computer crimes. The detectives also recover stolen property and collect evidence to aid in the prosecution. During 2011, the Detective Bureau was assigned 1,179 new cases; filed 337 sworn complaints, and made 209 arrests. Persons Crimes Squad The Persons Crimes Squad consists of one sergeant and six detectives. These detectives investigate all murders, robberies, and assaults/batteries in Alachua County. During 2011, the Persons Crimes Squad was assigned 135 cases that accounted for 11% of the Detective Bureau s case load. Cold Case Detective The Cold Case Detective investigates unsolved homicides and other high-impact unsolved cases in Alachua County. This detective s mission is to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves, by seeking answers and justice for the victims and their families. Firearms Detective The Firearms Detective investigates the illegal possession, trafficking, sales and purchases of firearms. This detective routinely works with the Gainesville office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, as well as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and other local law enforcement agencies. 30

31 Special Victims Crimes Squad The Special Victims Crimes Squad consists of one sergeant and five detectives. These detectives conduct investigations on crimes that involve victims requiring special follow-up procedures; to include: human trafficking, sexual battery, child abuse, domestic violence, missing persons and certain crimes against the elderly. This squad works in collaboration with the Child Protection Team, the Child Advocacy Center, the Department of Children & Families, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, and our agency s victim advocates. During 2011, the Special Victims Squad was assigned 317 cases, comprising 27% of the Detective Bureau s case load. Property Crimes Squads The Property Crimes Squads are divided by District. District 1 focuses on property crimes committed in the mostly rural areas of Alachua County. District 2 focuses on the mostly urban, unincorporated areas of Alachua County. Both squads conduct follow-up investigations of various property crimes; to include: burglaries, thefts, arson, criminal mischief, forgery, fraud, computer, financial and identity theft crimes. The District 1 squad consists of one sergeant and six detectives; while the District 2 squad currently has one sergeant and five detectives. During 2011, the Property Crimes Squads were assigned 727 new property crimes related cases, which account for 62% of the Detective Bureau s case load. They cleared 848 total cases; 417 were closed via arrest or sworn complaint. During 2011, the Detective Bureau recovered stolen property valuing over $459,376. Forensics Unit: (352) The Forensics Unit processes major crime scenes throughout Alachua County and assists the smaller municipal police departments within the county. During 2011, the Unit maintained 7,440 fingerprint files, processed 366 crime scenes and vehicles, attended 41 autopsies, and handled 223 in-house processing requests. They also conducted 742 latent print comparisons; of which, 216 were hits or actual matches. 31

32 Regional Domestic Security Task Force The Regional Domestic Security Task Force is a multi-disciplinary group (Law Enforcement, DSTF/ JTTF, Fire/Rescue, Communications, Campus Safety, Health/Medical, Emergency Management, Critical Infrastructure, Maritime Security and Public Information) that covers 13 counties, including: Alachua, Marion, Levy, Gilchrist, Union, Bradford, Baker, Clay, Putnam, St. John s, Duval, Flagler, and Nassau. The regional headquarters for its law enforcement component is at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in Jacksonville, Florida. The ACSO Regional Domestic Security Task Force Detective works directly with the Region 3 DSTF in northeast Florida. Locally, our detective assigned to this task force operates out of the Sheriff s Office and the local FBI office. The law enforcement arm of the RDSTF is also part of the Joint Terrorism Task Force that operates out of the FBI headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida. The JTTF covers 44 counties from Pensacola to Daytona, and is co-staffed by RDSTF members from other regions and partners from other agencies. Also noteworthy is the fact that their cases are both domestic as well as international in nature. Intelligence Unit This unit gathers information from case reports, intelligence, and other sources, and then analyzes that information to create intelligence reports, maps, bulletins, and other items to assist in the investigation of crimes. Typically, the unit identifies criminal locations, methods, targets, suspects, or trends and graphically illustrates this information in a variety of ways that identify potential problems and assist in the apprehension of criminals. The unit also provides comparative statistical crime reports to the Sheriff on a regular basis. In 2011, the Intelligence Unit created 175 photo lineups and distributed 746 intelligence reports. Jail Intelligence Officer The Jail Intelligence Officer monitors various trends, patterns, officer safety concerns, methods of introducing contraband into a correctional facility, and gathers intelligence from various sources throughout the Jail. Juvenile Relations Bureau: (352) Along with providing School Resource Deputies in the schools, the Juvenile Relations Bureau (JRB) manages the following programs: the Washington D.C. Safety Patrol Trip, Teen Court, Teen Driver Challenge, Explorer Program, and the Bike Team. School Resource Deputies (SRD) The School Resource Deputy is a law enforcement officer, specifically trained to provide: law enforcement, confidential law related counseling, and law related education. They act as a comprehensive resource for their assigned schools and provide a visible, positive image for law enforcement, while promoting and maintaining an atmosphere where teachers feel safe to teach, and students feel safe to learn. Our SRD program has a contractual agreement with the School Board of Alachua County that places 16 deputies in 14 Alachua County public schools. In 2011, the SRD s handled 301 investigations that include, but are not limited to, cases involving batteries, burglaries, disorderly conducts, criminal mischief, sex offense crimes and an active shooter incident at the High Springs Community School. Of those cases, 88 resulted in arrests, 54 sworn complaints and 25 juvenile civil citations. 32

33 The School Resource Deputy involved in the shooting at High Springs Community School was cleared of any wrongdoing and commended for his actions during the incident by William P. Cervone, State Attorney for the Eighth Judicial Circuit, and by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, who conducted a thorough investigation of the incident Washington D.C. Safety Patrol Trip The Alachua County Sheriff's Office Juvenile Relations Bureau and Educational Tours Inc. hosted the 34th Annual Washington, D.C. Safety Patrol Trip for local fourth and fifth grade students. The 2011 Safety Patrol Trip was made up of thirty-one public, private, charter, and parochial schools from Alachua County. The first trip departed on June 10, 2011, with 442 students, 147 chaperones, 19 law enforcement officers, three paramedics, one registered nurse, and two doctors. The second trip departed on June 14, 2011, with 362 students, 120 chaperones, 17 law enforcement officers, two paramedics, one nurse practitioner, and one doctor. School Safety Patrol youth must complete training in traffic safety, protect students from the hazards of crossing roads and highways on their way to and from school, assist bus drivers in safely transporting students to and from school, teach fellow students about traffic safety, and serve as leaders on and about the school campus in this role. These youth are chosen typically by their teachers after demonstrating maturity, reliability, ability to follow rules, courtesy, and respect for classmates and others. Those who attended the 2011 Safety Patrol Trip earned the trip through demonstrating their ability to be great leaders and role models. The Alachua County Sheriff s Office is proud to have been able to facilitate this rewarding trip for our elementary school youth, and thanks the parents and teachers who continue to support us every year Operation Spring Break Since 1995, the Alachua County Sheriff's Office has assisted the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office during Alachua County's week of Spring Break. Alachua County Deputies perform law enforcement functions with special attention to occurrences that involve open parties, vandalism, fights, and an unrestrained use of alcohol and drugs by many underage students during Spring Break. 33

34 Teen Court The Alachua County Sheriff's Office Teen Court is a pre-trial diversion and juvenile sentencing alternatives program in Alachua County that gives at-risk youth, who complete the program, a second chance at a conviction-free criminal record. The Teen Court program affords both juvenile volunteers and participants, generally between the ages of 10 and 17, the opportunity to participate in individual and group counseling services, educational classes, field trips, and a hands-on introduction to the American Legal System. County and circuit judges, local attorneys, and prominent community leaders volunteer their time to serve as a judge, while the remainder of the courtroom roles are played by youth who have been trained to serve as jurors, clerks, bailiffs and/or attorneys. In 2011, the cases heard within Teen Court stemmed from one of the following charges: Criminal Mischief, Theft, Substance Abuse, or were Aggression or Conflict related. Theft related charges were the most prevalent cases in 2011, with 170 total cases. Of those cases, 18 were at the felony level. In 2011, the Teen Court Program received 367 referrals (including 20 re-referrals), declined 80 referrals, and had 234 defendants who successfully completed their sanctions. The Teen Court Program also provided 111 hours of training to 24 adult volunteers & interns, and to 70 teen volunteers, who were recruited to assist as bailiffs, attorneys, clerks, or jurors, and served 693 program volunteer service hours. Additionally, the Teen Court staff conducted 59 educational group sessions and 16 public awareness presentations. 34

35 Teen Driver Challenge The Teen Driver Challenge is a 12-hour driving class taught by certified law enforcement driving instructors. Participants spend 4 hours in a classroom and 8 hours on a driving range progressing through various exercises designed to help them develop their driving skills. These exercises include: evasive and control breaking, serpentine-forward/reverse, off-road recovery, skid control, figure 8, and intersection safety. In 2011, 151 students completed the challenge. For more information or to register, please contact the ACSO Juvenile Relations Bureau at (352) or visit. Explorer Post 983 The Alachua County Sheriff's Office Explorer Post 983 is a member of the Boy Scouts of America and adheres to the principles set forth by the Boy Scouts of America Explorer programs across the nation. The Explorers are also members of the Florida Sheriff's Explorer Association (FSEA). This is a state organization that meets four times a year throughout the State of Florida. During the meetings, the Explorers work on State Projects, compete in Firearm Competitions, and attend seminars, socials, and dances. Explorers attend the National Law Enforcement Conference presented by the Boy Scouts of America and Federal Law Enforcement Agency. Explorers meet in different states and compete in training events such as traffic stops, hostage negotiation training, search techniques, proper procedures for arrest, etcetera. The aim of the Explorer Post is to explore law enforcement as a possible career choice, develop leadership skills, and to provide service to the community. Our Explorer program is available to girls and boys ages 14 to 21. For more information, call

36 Drug Task Force: (352) The Drug Task Force investigates street, mid-level and upper-level narcotics trafficking throughout Alachua County and is comprised of members from the Gainesville Police Department, the Alachua County Sheriff s Office, and the University of Florida Police Department. The ACSO has contributed 14 ACSO detectives plus one staff assistant to the unit. The Unit also includes a Domestic Highway Enforcement Team (DHET) that is composed of Sheriff s Office deputies, Gainesville Police Department Officers, and Florida Highway Patrol Troopers. The primary function of the DHET is criminal enforcement on the major thoroughfares that pass through Alachua County. On March 28, 2011, Governor Rick Scott created the Statewide Drug Strike Force to attack criminal distribution of prescription drugs. Sheriff Darnell and Alachua Police Chief Joel DeCoursey serve as the Jacksonville area Regional Drug Strike Force (RDESF) co-chairs. Several drug take back prescription drug drop off events were held in 2011 in Alachua County. The RDESF efforts in our region include 180 arrests, involving seizure of 11,677 pills, 4 vehicles, 14 weapons, 1 clinic closing and 1 doctor arrested. 36

37 Drug Task Force continued The DTF also has one detective assigned to the local Drug Enforcement Administration Office. This detective identifies and investigates major drug activity and serves as a liaison between the state and federal cases. Many Drug Task Force cases are forwarded to the DEA for federal prosecution. Federal prosecution leads to enhanced sentencing guidelines for violators and significant civil forfeitures. Because of their commitment to excellence and stellar performance, the DTF was awarded the 2011 Region 2 Unit of the Year award from the Florida Narcotic Officers Association. Additionally, the Domestic Highway Enforcement Team received the 2011 Public Safety Team Award from Gainesville Regional Utilities. 37

38 Department of the Jail (352) Inmate Services Division Booking Support Bureau Transportation and Facilities Support Bureau Security Operations Division Team I Team I Days Team I Nights Security Operations Division Team II Team II Days Team II Nights Support Services Division Jail Population Statistics, Analysis, Projection and Jail Planning Professional Support Bureau Court and Forensic Community Liaison Classification Unit Jail Diversion Unit Medical and Mental Health Units Contract Monitoring Medical Accreditation Urban Institute Jail Reinvestment Initiative Public Information Officer/Community Outreach Bureau In-House Programs and Volunteer Services Chaplain/Volunteer Services Library/Education 38

39 Inmate Services Division: (352) Booking Support Bureau The Booking Support Bureau is a 24 hour operation currently staffed by 48 civilian employees. The Bureau supports the admission and release duties of the Security Operations Division and the classification and follow up functions of the Classification Unit. Staff assigned to this area must input booking and release related data based on set criteria to facilitate the accuracy of criminal history information maintained by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. In addition, the Booking Support Bureau is responsible for a myriad of administrative processes to include: File Construction and maintenance Fingerprint coordination Coordination of court events Inmate property receipt, storage, and release Bond processing Handling of inmate mail and monetary accounts Victim notifications Records archival/public record requests/media requests Jail Receptionist The Booking Support Bureau also operates the Registration Office located in the Department of Jail lobby with operating hours of 11:00 a.m. to 07:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Registration Office is closed on weekends and holidays. Registrations and re-registrations are completed for felony offenders, career offenders, sexual offenders, and sexual predators following state and judicial mandates coordinated through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. In 2011, 13,027 inmates were booked into the jail and 13,226 were released. The average daily inmate population for the year was 953, which included Felons, Misdemeanants, Traffic, Juveniles, Civil, Federal, In-transit, Parole Violations, Violation of Probation, Violation of Probation Out of County, Failure to Appear, as well as Felony Criminal Registrants. Transportation and Facilities Support Bureau The Transportation Unit - provides safe and secure transport of defendants to numerous court proceedings. The focus of this unit is to protect the general public and the defendants, arrange video court at the Department of the Jail and properly documents the Judge's sentences/results from First Appearance, bond hearings, civil child support hearings, video arraignment and change of pleas. The unit transports important paperwork/documents from the courts to the Department of the Jail and from the DOJ to court personnel and transports inmates to local drug treatment facilities, Drug Court, Metamorphosis, Bridge House, Crisis Stabilization Unit, etc. They also routinely transport inmates to medical appointments and psychological evaluations. The Transport Unit also provide staff in each courtroom that has a hearing involving an inmate in our custody in addition to the Bailiff s, for the purposes of maintaining order in the holding cells next to each courtroom and keeping the inmates in safe and secure custody. In 2011, 13,027 inmates were transported to various appointments and 754 inmates were transferred to the State Department of Corrections. 39

40 Facilities Support Unit The function of this unit provides inmate workers to our food service provider to prepare the inmate meals and keep the kitchen clean. The unit is responsible for accepting deliveries at the Jail s Loading Dock, as well as key issuance and control duties. The unit is also in charge of the warehouse inventory, supplies and accountability. Items like extra bunks to accommodate an increase in population to toiletry and paper items for hygiene reasons are inventoried and supplied. The unit also approves applicants for the inmate work force that keeps the facility clean, cooks inmate meals, and performs various minor maintenance and upkeep functions. For 2011, 1,148,127 meals were prepared and served by the private food service vendor. An estimated 393,364 pounds of laundry and 1,913trusty applications were processed during The Bureau is responsible for the screening and selection of inmate workers, commonly referred to as Trusties. Through this process inmates are also selected for the Sheriff s Inmate Work Crew, which provides free labor to government and non-profit agencies. Assignments for the Work Crew have included moving furniture equipment for the Gainesville Police Department renovation, renovating the Rocky Cola building for Reichert House, pressure-washing and minor landscaping for four (4) area schools. The Sheriff s Inmate Work Crew had an average of 9 inmates per day who worked an average of 13 hours each. The total number of labor hours donated was 15,808. Security Operations Division: (352) The Security Operations Division is responsible for the overall security of the Department of the Jail and overseeing the safety of personnel and inmates. Detention Deputies and Detention Officers are responsible for the management, accountability, and supervision of each and every inmate detained in the Department of the Jail. Their duties involve supervising and coordinating the daily activities within the facility. Some of these duties are service of meals, recreation, visitation, inspections of housing areas for sanitation and security breaches, Inmate Counts, internal movement to educational and religious programs, Medical Clinic visits, distribution of linen and hygiene items, Inmate Commissary, reporting facility rule violations by inmates, resolving disputes between inmates, and response to any type of emergency situation within the Jail. The Detention Deputies and Detention Officers assigned to this Division also perform the tasks required for the admission and release of inmates incarcerated in the facility. The admissions process involves searching the arrestee for weapons and contraband, fingerprinting the person using the AFIS, (Automated Fingerprint Identification System), taking a digitally recorded photograph, and using an IRIS Scan system to record the pattern of the iris in the inmate's eyes for identification purposes. During these procedures, the inmate is observed for signs of medical and/or mental distress for referral to the appropriate Support Staff Person or Unit within the facility. The Release process involves identifying the appropriate individual scheduled for release upon authorization of a Court Order, or a properly posted Surety or Cash Bond. These procedures require the verification of proper release authorization, ensuring all release conditions are documented and explained to the inmate, and the releasing documents have been verified and signed by the appropriate official and inmate. 40

41 The Security Operations Division is divided into two Teams: TEAM I One 12 hour day shift and one 12 hour night shift. Division Secretary TEAM II One 12 hour day shift and one 12 hour night shift. Administrative Lieutenant Administrative Sergeant Support Services Division : (352) The Support Services Division is responsible for analysis of inmate population data for use in the evaluation of diversion efforts and jail space needs planning. Recent successful jail population reduction efforts significantly impact projections. The Classification Unit is responsible for appropriate classification and housing of inmates and observation instructions for inmate in crisis. Additional unit responsibilities include casework, management of the in house population, monitoring county sentenced inmate gain time and releases, transfer documentation for DOC inmates, tracking inmate conflicts, monitoring inmates in disciplinary or administrative confinement, special needs inmates, juvenile and infirmed inmates. Classification monitors inmate grievances and requests. This year Classification personnel completed the classification process for 6,576 inmates, processed and answered 7,291 written inmate requests, conducted 14,887 administrative segregation reviews, 14,756 mental health reviews and logged 28,922 face to face inmate contacts related to casework. Jail Population Management is a significant focus of the Support Services Division. Personnel are heavily involved in criminal justice community efforts to manage the jail population such as the Public Safety Coordinating Council. Responsibilities include research, gathering data and making recommendations to the DELTA, a subcommittee of the PSCC, as requested. Personnel participate in various associated workgroup activities. The Urban Institute chose Alachua County as one of three in the nation to participate in the Jail Reinvestment at the Local Level initiative of the Urban Institute. The goal is to develop a community wide strategy to reduce jail population in order to reinvest in re-entry or other programming. The Division is responsible for local initiative coordination. The Jail Diversion Unit is responsible for screening and referring eligible inmates to various diversion programs, tracking referrals and participating as part of the forensic community s diversion efforts. The Forensic Diversion Team is funded by the Criminal Justice, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Reinvestment Grant awarded the county in This year, the jail diversion specialist received and reviewed 2,877 inmate referrals for services. The Medical and Mental Health Services are provided under contract and monitored by the Support Services Division. The current contract provider is Corizon. The unit is responsible for the delivery of medical services to inmates including emergency dental, mental health, chronic care, sick call, physical rehabilitation, dialysis and any other medical needs presented. The Medical Unit is also responsible for the coordination of outside medical services including specialist visits, pre and post natal care, and hospital services. Through cooperation with outside agencies and the Jail s efficient use of its medical resources, there has been a reduction of inmates having to be sent outside of the jail for care. 41

42 DOJ Community Outreach Bureau: (352) In-House Programs and Volunteer Services Library ASO has a contractual agreement with the Alachua County Library District to provide library services to the inmates at the Jail. The library is staffed Monday Friday and provides a full library that low security inmates can attend as well as material taken to the housing areas of inmates not eligible to attend the in-house library. The librarians also provide law reference material for any inmate requesting services. In 2011, over 250 books were donated to the jail library by UF students and other members of the community. GED- GED instruction is provided daily by the Alachua County Board of Education for eligible inmates that have not received a GED or high school diploma. Both GED and ESE services are available, and GED testing is conducted on site monthly. Fifty-nine inmates earned their GED in 2011, and 247 total inmates earned their GED since the program began in Substance Abuse- Meridian Health Care provides a Substance Abuse Instructor to conduct weekly classes on overcoming drug and alcohol addiction. Domestic Violence-Peaceful Paths provide two instructors weekly to help female victims overcome and cope with the trauma associated with domestic violence. In 2011, artwork from female inmates was displayed during a community domestic violence observance. Life Skills Salvation Army Specialist conducts weekly classes to prepare the inmates for a successful return to society. Classes include anger management, healthy relationships, healthy lifestyles, money management and employability. Anger Management-A volunteer instructor provides a weekly group discussion dealing with anger issues and finding better outlets for emotional responses. Creative Writing-A volunteer instructor conducts weekly classes on self expression through poetry and stories. In 2011, inmates handmade 125 holiday greeting cards that were donated to residents at Tachachale. Work on Me A volunteer instructor provides weekly seminars and activities for the female inmates on positive self worth. Child Support and Paternity Issues A volunteer explains basic laws on child support and paternity issues. Teen Court Tours- In House Staff provides a tour of the jail for teens to give a first hand look at the consequences of illegal behavior General Tours-In House Staff provides tours for community groups and organizations to see how the Jail functions. 42

43 Parenting A volunteer instructor conducts weekly classes about the various stages of child development and successful parenting at each stage. Swanson Services-Vendor provides commissary services to inmates and from the profits the jail receives, inmate items are purchased including class materials, newsletters, books, etc Project Reconnect - During 2011, this speaker panel provided students and parents from Eastside High School, Horizon, and Reichert House the opportunity to hear ex-offenders speak on their life experiences and provide encouragement to the kids to stay in school and out of trouble. Chaplain/Volunteer Services A variety of faith-based programs designed to offer spiritual guidance and encouragement to the inmate population. Services are provided daily and include AA and NA classes. All denominations are eligible to provide services at the Jail. More than $2,400 worth of surplus commissary items were donated to the St. Francis House during

44 44

45 2011 Agency Highlights A Year in Review Awards and Recognitions: School Crossing Guard (SCG) Proclamation presented at January 25 th Board of County Commission meeting followed by SCG Breakfast on February 4 th April 5 th, Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) announces Sheriff Darnell as one of seven new multi-agency Regional Drug Strike Force co-chairs, designed to lead focused and intensive enforcement operations targeting unlawful distribution of pharmaceutical drugs. Alachua Police Chief Joel De- Coursey serves as the co-chair with Sheriff Darnell. April 13 th ACSO Annual Awards Ceremony recognizing staff and community April 26 th, ACSO Dedicates Headquarter s building as the Sheriff Joe Crevasse Building Santa Fe College honors the Sheriff as Outstanding Career Pathways Partner on April 27 th May 1 st Sheriff presented Martha Varnes Award to Detective Glenn Jones at Trinity United Methodist Church during annual Sexual Battery Conference May 18 th, numerous ACSO employees including training staff Sgt. Price and Sgt. Neal deployed the AED and provided CPR and rescue breathing to save the life of colleague, Detective Dale Buffenmyer June 1 st and June 7 th High Springs Community School and Alachua County School Board Recognition of SRD Brian Phillips-re: High Springs School shooting June 2 nd Drug Task Force Award recognition-fl Narcotic Officers Association Region 2 Unit of the Year Award-Orlando, FL June 11 th, Masonic Lodge recognizes Deputy David Reibsome at a dinner/ceremony for his life saving efforts to a motorcycle crash victim on I-75. Thanks to those efforts this individual is alive. July 22 nd, ACSO wins car at Click It Or Ticket Traffic Enforcement Ceremony in Orlando, after placing 2 nd place in Click It Or Ticket and 1 st place for overall traffic enforcement statewide July 22 nd, Sheriff receives Department of Defense Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Award July 29 th, ACSO receives the Cal Henderson 2011 Award, recognizing the top fundraising agency for the 28 th Annual Florida Law Enforcement Torch Run August 16th, Deputy James Ferguson responds to a 911 call of a heart attack in progress at the Gainesville Shrine Club and deploys the AED and CPR, saving the Shriner s life. September 6 th, City of Hawthorne Recognizes Deputy Mitchell as their Hometown Hero September 20 th Sons of the American Revolution Award to ACSO for Outstanding Example of Fine Law Enforcement for Constitution Week Celebration October 10 th, Veterans Alachua County Advisory Board Recognition of ACSO for Department of Defense Award October 18 th, ASCO Receives City of Gainesville Public Safety Team Award for Traffic Interdiction Team October 20 th, ACSO receives the Florida Crime Prevention Unit of the Year award for numerous innovative programs including Southwest Area Group SWAG, a partnership with the Tower Road triangle area community; animal abuse prevention programs, literacy programs, food drives, property manager meetings, elder alerts, etc. November 6-11 th, SWAT International Competition in Orlando, ACSO ranked 6th place Public Information Office Sergeant Todd Kelly was named Region 6 Director of the FL PIO Association 45

46 Giving Back: 2011 Agency Highlights February 10 th, COPS team reading to Harbor Cove kids February 22 nd, FL Sheriff s Youth Ranch Ice Cream Social Fundraiser at Oak Hammock April 7 th, Lauren s Walk for Domestic Violence, traffic and escort assistance April 8 th, Hats, Hearts and Handbags Girls Club fundraiser April 11 th, Law Enforcement Special Olympics Torch Run April 11 th, Victim s Right Week, Candlelight Vigil April 23 rd, Trail Ride with Rural Services fundraiser for Cancer treatment May 14 th, Alzheimer s Ride to Remember May 16 th Assisted with military escort for Private Lamaral Tucker from Gainesville Airport to Chestnut Funeral Home May 31 st to June 1 st Employees Shining Light members provided dinner for ACSO Evening shift employees assigned to Combined Communications Center, Department of the Jail, Records, Court Security and Patrol September 8 th, Eileen s Orange and Blue Fashion Show for Elder Care of Alachua County September 11 th, ABATE and Gainesville Health and Fitness Center s 9 11 Anniversary Ride, Sheriff kicks off event September 24 th, American Heart Association Team Walk September 24 th, Eric Yerman Team Walk, Westside Park October 8 th, Alzheimers Team Walk, Westside Park November 22 nd, Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway with SWAG at Linton Oaks. 1,000 pounds of side items were collected by employees and SWAG members to go with the 140 turkeys donated by the Alachua County Veteran s Board and Tower Hill Insurance. December 1 st, Tacachale Christmas Parade December 10 th, Hawthorne and Alachua Christmas Parades December 13 th, Chili Cookoff Fundraiser for Secret Santa Program December 14 th, Door Decorating Contest Fundraiser for Secret Santa Program December 15 th, COPS Hidden Oaks Holiday Event Collection site for blankets for the homeless/needy A new link on the ACSO Intranet and Internet sites makes three publications available: 1) Elder Program Services, 2) When Someone You Love is Killed, 3) Safety Plan for a Friend, Co-worker, Relative Being Abused by an Intimate Partner. Seniors vs Crime Volunteers handled 61 cases, involving 25 assists, 1 criminal referral, 2 arrests, recovered property in total of $102,498.39, with 979 volunteer hours and 25 speaking engagements. Our Partnerships: April 30 th, Drug Take Back program (drop off unused prescriptions at various county locations no questions asked) May 5 th, Austin Carey Communications Tower Handshake with GRU as tower becomes operational in badly needed NE area. May 10 th, Law Enforcement Memorial at Kanapaha June 4 th, Archer Yulee Day Parade June 9 th, ACSO Hosts In the Looking Glass, A Battering Relations and the System s Response by the Trauma Intervention and Special Services staff 46

47 2011 Agency Highlights cont. June 17 th, ACSO Hosts, Saving Lives: Creating Safer Communities July 6 th, Court Security launches new statewide secure website for other court services agencies to share intelligence information July 6 th, Black on Black Crime Task Force Annual Bus Tour- Majestic and Linton Oaks August 2 nd, National Night Out Events at the Santa Fe Villages, Haile Village and Harbor Cove September 1st, ACSO takes over High Springs Dispatch September 19 th, ACSO Sponsors Attorney General Pill Mill Workshop with AG Pam Bondi October 26 th, ACSO Hosts Child Abuse Training October 29 th, 2 nd Community Drug Take Back Event November 10 th, Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Wansley hears report on ACSO Teen Court Program November 11 th, Veterans Day Event at Kanapaha Memorial Park November 15 th, ACSO hosts Region 6 Public Information Officers November 30 th, Dr. Dennis Brooks, UF Veterinarian donates a K-9 bite suit to ACSO Sheriff and Patrol staff assisted County Code Enforcement staff to successfully shut down the business known as Legends Sports Bar and Grill on SW 13 th Street, after this bottle club caused dozens of citizen complaints and calls for service since opening in early September Residents in adjoining neighborhoods had been subjected to loud noise and heavy vehicle traffic, loitering and pedestrian traffic. The bottle club was found guilty of operating an entertainment and recreation facility in an area not zoned for such an establishment. The successful outcome generated neighborhood accolades for the ACSO s aggressive efforts for 48 days while they were operating. Sheriff Darnell offers full use of ACSO s gym to Gainesville Police Department employees due to ongoing (two year possible) renovations to their facility Reserve Unit this year has been utilized for several details including site security for Congressman Stearns at 3 town hall meetings in Alachua County, providing deputies to supplement ACSO full time deputies for Haven Hospice fundraiser at Canterbury Showplace, and providing deputies to the New Year s holiday DUI checkpoint traffic detail. Department of the Jail (DOJ) enhanced our re-entry programs by developing a partnership with Charlotte Matthews, social worker from the Veterans Administration. Through referrals generated by Classification, Programs, and the Forensic Diversion Specialist, inmates who are identified as veterans have the opportunity to counsel with her. Eligible veteran inmates receive assistance with housing, employment, and benefits. DOJ has extended our educational and vocational partners to include the University of Florida and Florida Works. DOJ revived the Alcoholics Anonymous program for female inmates. We have also re-established the June 14 th, UF Veterinarian Dr. Books donates 4 vests to K-9 Unit Purchased the new state of the art technology Rook armored critical incident vehicle with law enforcement contraband forfeiture funds and used it for the first time in assisting Columbia County Sheriff and Lake City PD during a shooting/barricaded subject incident in September, where 3 police officers were shot but ultimately recovered. ACSO (COPS, Rural Services and Forensics) assisted Animal Control with serving a Search Warrant at Haven Acres Cat Sanctuary in High Springs. Animal Control began an investigation of an animal rescue which had violated their special use permit. The facility was allowed to keep up to 200 cats, however, when the warrant was served there were about 700 cats. Animal Control also had assistance from the following agencies; The Humane Society, ASPCA and Vets from the University of Florida, High Springs Police Department, Gainesville Fire Rescue (HAZMAT) (about 40 people in total). 47

48 2011 Agency Highlights cont. Over the course of two days the cats were removed from the property and were transported to a secure location in Gainesville where they received treatment and/or adopted. On June 20 th D/S Brandon Jones seized 40 cows from a pasture in High Springs due to them being very underweight. One died during the night and three more were euthanized three days later due to not being able to get up. One happy ending- on June 25 th deputies found that a calf was born at the Impound (first ever) during the previous night. On August 24 th D/S Jones, D/S Koon and Sgt R Behl seized 25 cows from a rancher near Jonesville. The cows were very underweight and he had too many cows for the size and type of pasture. The owner elected to surrender the cows to the Sheriff s Office. From that seizure, Rural Services held their first cattle auction and raised $9700 with one buyer. Cattle ranchers were very complimentary of the Rural Services auction, presentation of the cattle and how well maintained the cattle were after being removed from their owner for lack of care. On December 30 th D/S Koon and D/S Buckley assisted other agencies rescue a horse which had been trapped in the mud at Paynes Prairie State Park. This event generated very positive public comment for the people involved after the horse was successfully removed. In 2011 the Rural Services staff responded to 919 calls for service and the Impound housed goats, a pot belly pig, two mules, 65 plus cows, and horses for a total of 76 animals. Warrants Investigators have logged over 1,370 hours investigating and arresting violent fugitives as members of the Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force. Received funding from the 911 Office to pay for all of the CCC furniture. Began the steps necessary to partner with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Added High Springs Police Department as a client agency to the Combined Communications Center on September 1, 2011and integrated dispatching of High Springs Police Department into our CCC family. Improving Ourselves: February 3 rd, Lt. Colonel Grossman Training for 40 staff members Bulletproof Mind, physical and mental survival skills March 21 st, Added personnel to bolster the Traffic Interdiction Team April 12 th Trauma Intervention and Special Services Bureau showcased Victim Services Programs at the County Commission meeting May 5 th, St. Leo Command School Graduation. The graduates included ACSO personnel: Lt. Ed Bennett Lt. Daryl Bessinger B/C Linda Brown Lt. Calvin DeCoursey B/C Louise Grimm Lt. Steve Maynard Sgt. Fred Thomas May 9 th, Sheriff and Alachua Police Department Chief travelled to Orlando for the announcement of the new statewide Drug Strike Forces where Sheriff Darnell and Chief DeCoursey chair and co-chair this District TF May 18 th Leadership Gainesville Graduation of DOJ Bureau Chief Morris. July 26 th, Florida Correction Accreditation Commission DOJ On Site Accreditation Assessment August 12 th, Florida Department of Law Enforcement Executive Leadership Graduation of 17 supervisors August 28 th, Annual Publication of the Most Wanted Magazine in the Gainesville SunAugust 31 st, Rook equipment training in Gainesville September 11 th, Annual Sexual Offender/Predator Publication in the Gainesville Sun 48

49 2011 Agency Highlights cont. September 12 th, Sheriff Darnell elected as the Chair of the Florida Sheriff s Association Board of Directors September 28-30, Sheriff and Chief Addressed DOJ Roll Calls re: Jail Interlocal discussions A new Military Support board was designed and erected outside the Patrol Squad Room to recognize our 3 military support liaison s (Deputy Gary Boothby, Deputy Christopher Drake and Detention Officer Angela McClellan) and the ACSO employees who are currently deployed full time. As of this date, Deputy Brett Rhodenizer and Detention Officer Manuelito Alberto are on active duty. The Records Bureau implemented a procedure to include information received from the Department of Corrections of released inmates with gang affiliations relocating to Alachua County into the master name index. This provides the information in a central location for all to have access. Awarded $490,000 for a two year sexual predator grant and an approximately $80,000 grant specifically for equipment related to the Sexual Predator Task Force. Thirty-seven additional AED s were purchased for road patrol deputies bringing the agency total to 50. The goal is to equip every patrol vehicle with an AED. Installation of Hurricane shutters in ACSO headquarters from Homeland Security grant funds. New employee intranet site announced, with easier to use layout, a new patrol summary and intelligence information sites. The Administrative Services Division Manager serves as the legislative liaison with ACSO and the Florida Sheriff s Association. Employees are kept informed to voice concerns to their legislative representatives on pending initiatives. Accounting and Budget Bureau reached the 100% mark for going paperless in the filing of accounts receivable, trust funds, payroll and accounts payable documents. Deputy Alexandra Elliott, Background Investigator, and Shawn Witherington, Benefits Coordinator, successfully completed the 480 hour Academy of Polygraph Science program (July 11 September 2, 2011). Risk Coordinator Reshone Flanders represented the Alachua County Sheriff s Office on the Board for the Florida State PRIMA (Public Risk Management Association) 2011 Conference. She has also been nominated by her peers to serve on the Board of Officers as the Treasurer for the PRIMA Central Florida Chapter Bureau Chief Pascucci completed the Florida Leadership Academy, Class 21 (140 hours of training) Accreditation Assistant Dawn Godsmark earned CALEA (Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies) Accreditation Manager Certification. Evidence Custodians received their certifications from IAPE (International Association of Property and Evidence). The Fleet Unit had 2 technicians trained to work on motorcycles reducing outsourcing costs. The Training Bureau has planned and coordinated four (4) new-hire high-liability mini-academies to date this year In March, 2011, Planning, Policy and Accreditation Bureau staff members attended the CALEA Conference in Montgomery County Maryland to accept the reaccreditation certificate for Public Safety Communications Accreditation, where the Combined Communications Center was awarded with the designation of FLAGSHIP status for the second consecutive accreditation cycle (1 st was , 2 nd is ). Department of the Jail: The FCAC (Florida Correction Accreditation Commission) re-accreditation certificate was received at the FLA-PAC Conference held September 27, 2011 in Ponte Vedra. This is re-accreditation for the Department of the Jail for the 5 th time. Only 8 jails in the state that have received this status. Law Enforcement: The CFA (Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation) Re-accreditation certificate is expected to be received at the FLA-PAC Conference to be held February 22, 2012 at Howie-in-the-Hills. 49

50 2011 Agency Highlights cont. Keeping the Community Safe through Enforcement and Innovation: During the 2011 calendar year, the Warrants Bureau conducted four quarterly warrants sweeps. Operation Twelve Days of Winter was conducted February 25 - March 08, 2011with selective major cases assigned to the Warrants Bureau. These cases represent the arrest of a Prescription Drug Fraud ring, a multiple Armed Robbery suspect, a major player in the local Northwest drug trade, and two fugitives from other jurisdictions. Thirteen (13) people were arrested on seventy (70) charges. Operation Calling All Felons was conducted during the week of August 29- September 2, 2011 with members of the Warrants Bureau and members of the USMS Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force (FRFTF). This sweep was coordinated with the start of school and with the release of ACSO Most Wanted publication in the Gainesville Sun. Fifty-eight (58) service attempts were made with twenty-two (22) persons arrested and fifty-nine (59) cases cleared. Operation Family Hope was conducted on October 18, 2010 in conjunction with the National Family Violence Apprehension Detail. This is a coordinated effort across the country to arrest violators and raise awareness during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Four (4) people were arrested. Operation Change Up was conducted December 6 8, Warrants investigators conducted a night time, after hours sweep of their most wanted offenders, where attempts during normal hours have failed. Eighty (80) attempts were made during the sweep. Thirty-four (34) people were arrested with forty (40) cases cleared. In addition to quarterly sweeps: Warrants Bureau investigators submitted one hundred forty two (142) violent fugitive cases originating from Alachua County to the FRFTF this year. One hundred thirty six (136) cases have been cleared by arrest. Additionally, warrants investigators located and arrested twenty six (26) violent fugitives from other jurisdictions as a result of collateral leads. Motor Unit Sergeant Jayson Levy reported the following enforcement efforts in 2011: January 1 June 1, 2011 Total Citations Written 8997 DUI Arrests 92 Cases / Arrests Red Light Violations 81 Citations Following Too Closely 25 Citations June 1, 2011 December 7, 2011 Total Citations Written 9989 DUI Arrests 94 Cases / Arrests Red Light Violations 133 Citations Following Too Closely 32 Citations The Agency Annual Report was published and disseminated both in hard copy and available on the agency website. The Public Information Office added a crime tip link to our agency Facebook page. Detective Sandy Myers prepared curriculum for the Field Training Patrol Academy to instruct deputy trainees on the procedures when dealing with mental health patients. The training covers the Baker Act and Myers Act. The training explains ACSO procedure, state law and local receiving facilities procedures in dealing with mental health patients. 50

51 2011 Agency Highlights cont. The Crime Analysis Unit continues to use crime information to develop hot spot notifications and relays this information through weekly COMPSTAT meetings as well as intelligence bulletins to area law enforcement. The Criminal Investigations Division continues to work with our child welfare and Domestic Violence community partners to place more focus on Intimate Partner Violence and violent crimes. The Juvenile Relations Bureau (JRB) maintains continuous contact with local juvenile justice partners and fosters a collaborative relationship to assess the juvenile crime issue in Alachua County, utilizing 16 deputies serving 14 schools. The JRB s Teen Court Program continues to be one of the top diversion programs in the State of Florida. Teen Court staff recently provided training to the Uniform Patrol Divisions of the Gainesville Police Department and the Alachua County Sheriff s Office. Teen Driver Challenge instructors conducted presentations at all Alachua County Driver Education classes. Approximately 275 students attended the presentations and 158 students completed the free challenge driving classes. Grants Awarded: The following is a list of current grants/contracts and a description of each regarding the value provided to the community. ARRA stands for American Recovery & Reinvestment Act. Code Title of Project/Project Period Amount Awarded COMSTAT Tactical Unit $95,265 Grant Closed But PGI funding still open Grant Award But PGI funding still open Awarded Awarded Awarded The COMSTAT Tactical Unit overtime and the Jail K-9 program. Problem Oriented Policing Unit (POP) 10/01/09 09/30/10 $97,400 Funds overtime to work narcotic related cases and purchase surveillance equipment. Problem Oriented Policing (POP) $58,000 10/1/10-9/30/11 Funds overtime to work narcotic related cases and purchase surveillance equipment. PSN Anti-firearms & Violence Project $22,000 01/01/09 06/30/11 Funds overtime for firearm related cases. Funds the administration and attendance of anti-firearms training for law enforcement agencies and printed brochures. Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) $107,079 10/1/10-09/30/11 Salaries for Victim Advocates. Anti-Gang $25, /1/11 09/30/12 Awarded Gang Video, CI funds, overtime and uniforms. Enhanced Radio Tower Grant ARRA (through Bureau Justice Assistance) 03/01/09 02/28/13 $439,093 51

52 2011 Agency Highlights cont. Grants Awarded Continued Equipment for a new tower site. (IR Site repeater, transmission lines, shelter, tower lease for 1 year). Awarded FEMA Hazard Mitigation $125,641 12/21/ Wind Retrofit (Hurricane Shutters implemented on ACSO admin building and upgrading CCC s shutters) County provided $31,410 in matching funds. Award Problem Oriented Policing (POP) $47,000 10/11/11 9/30/12 Overtime for narcotic details. Award Department of Homeland Security (SWAT, Bomb & Aviation) $270,070 10/1/09-4/30/12 SWAT and Bomb equipment Award Department of Homeland Security (SWAT & Forensics) $166,000 10/1/10-4/30/13 SWAT and Bomb equipment Award Department of Homeland Security (SWAT, Bomb) $124,000 SWAT and Bomb equipment Awarded Solving Cold Cases with DNA $151,270 12/1/10-6/30/12 Overtime, contractual services have consultants review cold cases and to process DNA and equipment Pending Violent Crimes Task Force $7, Overtime Awarded Child Sexual Predator Task Force $71,952 10/1/10-9/30/14 Equipment Awarded Child Sexual Predator $490,147 8/1/11-7/31/13 Salaries, equipment, overtime Awarded Problem Oriented Policing (POP) $47,000 Byrne Grant Administrator for Alachua County grants applications. Overtime to address street level drug crimes Awarded Rural Services $5,016 10/1/11-9/30/12 Surveillance equipment Awarded ACSO Grant Administration $14,231 10/1/11-9/30/12 Equipment Awarded Pill Mill (Byrne Grant) $101,791 4/01/11-12/31/11 (Managing for 13 Counties)To address illegal use of prescription drugs being prescribed by doctors. 52

53 Awarded Awarded 2011 Agency Highlights cont. Pill Mill (House Bill) $222,189 7/28/11 - TBA (Managing for 13 Counties)To address illegal use of prescription drugs being prescribed by doctors. PSIC Interoperability Grant 08/04/11-06/30/12 Speeches and Presentations by Sheriff Darnell and Staff: $3,640,474 ACSO gets $500,500 (Managing for 13 counties) Mobile and portable radios Total Awarded to ACSO $3,181,354 Pending Amount Awarded to ACSO $7, Sheriff speaks at Lions Club on January 18th Bob Rose Show- Public Service Announcements on the Reserve Unit Program by Captain Steve Miller, January 20 th January 27 th, Sheriff hosted the Constitutional Officers budget meeting Sheriff s speech to Leadership Gainesville, February 8th February 28 th, Newberry City Commission discussion re: Renewal of the Municipal Services Taxing Unit and ACSO s service to Newberry Internet Crimes Against Children Town Hall and Leadership Gainesville Meetings, Sheriff speaks in support of educating public about these crimes and ACSO s unit, March 7 th and April 4th April 25 th, Sheriff presents the State of the City Report to the Archer City Commission Sheriff s speech to American Legion Female Veterans Celebration, April 28 th Santa Fe College Leadership Breakfast panel discussion with Law Enforcement Leaders, April 29th May 3 rd, Sheriff presents the State of the City Report to the Hawthorne City Commission Colonel Huckstep addresses the County s Access (citizen education) Class on May 9th May 10 th, ACSO hosted the Regional Domestic Security Task Force meeting and discussed the formation of the new statewide Drug Strike Forces Sheriff speaks to students at Westwood Middle School about Goals, May 27th Sheriff s speech to Military Officers Association of America, June 6th Sheriff addresses graduates of Newberry High School Criminal Justice Mini-Academy, July 15thSheriff seeks additional support of Leadership Gainesville Class on Internet Crimes Against Children, during class address, August 29th Green Tree, Celebration and Hammock Oaks NCW meetings with Sheriff Darnell addressing crime issues, September 14th Sheriff keynote speaker at Jerusalem Association Annual Church Conference, September 29th Sheriff extends appreciation to DC Safety Patrol Teacher Sponsors, October 5th Sheriff kicks off the National Association of Mentally Ill (NAMI) Walk, Westside Park, October 22nd Sheriff participates on Panel Discussion with Anti-Violence Summit, September 20th Sheriff speaks to Rotary Club members on Status of ACSO, October 25th Liberty (Veterans) Fest, November 6 th, Sheriff s Address Sheriff Keynote Presenter at Department of Corrections Paws on Patrol Graduation (100th dog graduated), December 2nd Sheriff presents FAQ s and other what to do if scenarios to Rotary Club members, December 5th 53

54 Recognizing our Fallen Heroes Deputy Sheriff Jack Allerton Romeis Deputy Romeis died on February 1, Deputy Romeis lost his life as the result of injuries sustained in a vehicle crash approximately a month prior while pursuing a vehicle stolen by two juveniles. The two suspects were arrested after the accident. When Deputy Romeis died from his injuries, the juveniles were charged with third degree murder. They were sentenced to seven years in prison and eight years probation. Deputy Romeis served the citizens of Alachua County as a full-time deputy for five years and as a reserve deputy for 15 years prior to that. He was survived by his wife and two daughters. Other ACSO Personnel who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty: Robert Edward Arrow End of Watch 6/20/1921 George Lasonro Bryant End of Watch 12/3/1908 Charles H. Slaughter End of Watch 5/11/1912 Samuel George Wynne End of Watch 8/18/1916 PHOTO COLLAGE 54

55 Alachua County Sheriff s Office Phone Listing Phone Number (352) Accounts Payable Administrative Services Division Civil Bureau Combined Communications Center Court Security Bureau Crime Prevention Unit Criminal Intelligence Unit Detective Bureau Department of the Jail Evidence Section False Alarm Unit Fingerprinting Accounting & Budget Bureau Fleet Maintenance Forensics Unit Grant Administrator Human Resources Bureau Information Technology Unit Help Desk Juvenile Relations Bureau Office of Professional Standards Property Section Public Information Office Purchasing Records Bureau Sheriff Sadie Darnell Staff Attorney Technical Services Division Traffic Safety Bureau Training Bureau Uniform Patrol Division Warrants Bureau Victim Advocate ,

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