Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiAugust 2, 2016

Addressing a Jacksonville City Council committee Tuesday, Sheriff Mike Williams signaled his department’s commitment to a pilot program for body cameras “sooner than later,” even as major questions remain about hardware costs, capabilities of cameras, and time frame of deployment. Williams expects to have the program begun “no later than the spring,” he told the […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 18, 2016

As promised ahead of Monday, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry‘s second budget was lean and devoid of much in the way of enhancements. A few city departments did come out ahead. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office will get 40 new police officers and 40 new community service officers, which augments the 40 of each provided in the current […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 6, 2016

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office payroll audit was released July 5, and it revealed some concerns the Council Auditor’s office had about payroll practices. While “pay to JSO employees [in general] was properly supported, accurately calculated and timely paid,” the office “identified various internal control weaknesses, findings, and opportunities for improvement that need to be addressed.” Room for […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 27, 2016

Jacksonville is in for a tight budget year, and amidst pressures from community activists such as Diallo Sekou and R.L. Gundy to budget for body cameras for the beleaguered Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, some provisional good news came through in a letter from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement last week. The FDLE received an appropriation of $250,000 […]

Melissa RossJune 7, 2016

Activists in Jacksonville are hosting a town hall meeting tonight at the Wells Fargo offices on North Main Street after weeks of protests against the shooting death of Vernell Bing. The Kemetic Empire says it’s hosting the event “to present solutions, a platform for the community to express their views and concerns.” Invited to appear […]

Melissa RossMay 19, 2015

Duval County Sheriff John Rutherford has been a vocal critic of Mayor Alvin Brown and a supporter of his hand-picked successor Mike Williams in the Jacksonville mayor and sheriff’s races. Tuesday morning though, Rutherford turned an eye toward the next election cycle, revealing for the first time his next move as he leaves the Jacksonville […]

Melissa RossMay 15, 2015

They’ve participated in dozens of forums together over a long and, at times, bitterly fought campaign. Thursday night’s televised debate was the final bout between Jacksonville sheriff candidates Ken Jefferson and Mike Williams, with both men looking to land a roundhouse or two before the Tuesday runoff election. The debate, held on the FSCJ South […]

Melissa RossApril 15, 2015

Appearing in front of a fire station on the city’s Northwest Side, Mayor Alvin Brown touted the endorsements of the city’s Brotherhood of Police Officers and Firefighters, saying he’s got the better plan to improve Jacksonville’s public safety. The organizations primarily represent African-American police and fire personnel. As recently as December, their blessings were not […]

Melissa RossApril 1, 2015

Calling himself the most experienced candidate in the race, Republican Mike Williams says the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office “needs to do more” to reach out to communities in Jacksonville that don’t trust or cooperate with the police. Williams came in second in the March 24 First Election to Democrat Ken Jefferson, the agency’s former PIO. He’s […]

Melissa RossMarch 31, 2015

Taking a veiled swipe at the current JSO leadership, Ken Jefferson says that if he’s elected sheriff he won’t “govern from behind the desk.” “I want to re-introduce the Police Department back to the community,” said Jefferson, the Democratic candidate in the race to replace outgoing Sheriff John Rutherford. “What I’m finding out from […]

Tag: JSO
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

Jax Sheriff: body camera pilot program to roll out ‘sooner than later’

Lenny Curry introduces lean budget, sells pension-tax referendum

Jax Council Auditor questions Sheriff’s Office payroll practices

FDLE solicits JSO for grant submission for body cameras

Town hall tonight in Jacksonville focusing on police shootings

Sheriff John Rutherford confirms he’s running for Ron DeSantis seat

Jax sheriff candidates enter ring for final round of debate

Jacksonville’s black firefighters, police endorse Alvin Brown

Mike Williams: I have the track record to fight crime

Ken Jefferson: No more “drive-by cops” in Jax if elected