JSO Dirty Politics in Sheriff's Race

[jaxlongtimer]

Just when you thought you saw it all... Nate Monroe exposes corruption in JSO as Desantis' handpicked interim sheriff, Pat Ivey, permits use of JSO insignia and uniforms in the T. K. Waters' campaign and denies it to Lakesha Burton's campaign, implying (or much more) that JSO endorses Waters (which it is not allowed to do).  If this doesn't show Waters true colors as a "bought and sold by the establishment" candidate, I don't know what does.

Burton should sue JSO after the election for unequal, arbitrary and discriminatory treatment by a taxpayer funded, public agency that is clearly trying to pick winners and losers.  And ethics... they are non-existent at JSO's top levels apparently.

Nate Monroe: The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, a private security firm that does what it wants

....T.K. Waters, a Republican, and Lakesha Burton, a Democrat, are both retired and respected veterans of JSO who are running to replace the appointed interim sheriff, yet only Waters — whom Ivey supports — is permitted to display JSO insignia and dispatch uniformed cops on his campaign's behalf. This is due to a feudal and legally dubious tradition enshrined in the city's ordinance code that, the sheriff contends, requires candidates to seek his permission before using such displays.

Although Burton claims Ivey's predecessor, Mike Williams, granted her that permission, Ivey took a markedly different approach. "Should you continue with this conduct, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office may explore its legal options," Ivey wrote to Burton earlier this month, upon learning she had worn a police uniform in one of her campaign commercials.

"Please govern yourself accordingly."

Ivey's ruling has led to a stunning imbalance: While Burton has since eschewed the use of JSO insignia, Ivey has allowed Waters to wear his own former uniform and to flank himself with uniformed deputies during campaign events — providing Waters' campaign the appearance of having the endorsement of JSO itself.....

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/columns/nate-monroe/2022/10/27/interim-sheriff-politicizes-jacksonville-sheriffs-office-nate-monroe/10599074002/

[fsu813]

Was in a discussion with Sheriff Ivey a couple weeks ago, when this came up. A question was asked to him regarding how staff would deal with the results of the "personal attacks" during the campaigns, seeing how everyone will have to work together afterwards. He said that everyone is professional, this will be water under the bridge. He then brought up the issue that's mentioned in the article - how one candidate is allowed to appear in a commercial in uniform, while another is not. His description was that using still photos from time in service are fine, but any new commercials filmed with a live candidate in uniform (not old photos) are not approved. He said one candidate shot a new commercial appearing live in uniform, the other had not, and that's why one candidate was asked to stop.

[jaxlongtimer]

Was in a discussion with Sheriff Ivey a couple weeks ago, when this came up. A question was asked to him regarding how staff would deal with the results of the "personal attacks" during the campaigns, seeing how everyone will have to work together afterwards. He said that everyone is professional, this will be water under the bridge. He then brought up the issue that's mentioned in the article - how one candidate is allowed to appear in a commercial in uniform, while another is not. His description was that using still photos from time in service are fine, but any new commercials filmed with a live candidate in uniform (not old photos) are not approved. He said one candidate shot a new commercial appearing live in uniform, the other had not, and that's why one candidate was asked to stop.

That doesn't match up well with Monroe's take.  Monroe is indicating that Waters is wearing his uniform, even though he is retired from the force, in campaign appearances plus surrounding himself with current JSO officers in uniform, while denying the same privileges to Burton and her campaign.  So, it is not just about commercials.  Monroe said he also reached out to JSO for comment and they did not give him one so JSO had the chance to set him straight if his info was incorrect.

[Snaketoz]

There is one thing that has become so apparent to me in the last few elections.  If the Police and Firefighters endorse a candidate, you can believe it's not because its "what's best for Jacksonville", but what's in it for the Police and Fire departments.  The sheriff's office now takes about half the city's budget, but the crime and murder rate are worse.  Both departments are getting paybacks from their endorsements that win their elections.  Who ever questions either department?  They do whatever they want.  They have power they shouldn't have.  We really need to rein-in these people!  We need a sheriff that puts more officers on the street and less of their cronies behind their desks.  We need a police department that answers for their performance and budgets and not have carte blanche to do whatever is best to keep themselves in office with assured impunity.

[Charles Hunter]

I would refine your statement,

If the Police and Firefighters endorse a candidate, you can believe it's not because its "what's best for Jacksonville", but what's in it for the Police and Fire departments.

to say, "If the Police and Firefighters unions endorse ... but what's in it for the Police and Fire departmentsunions."
Being best for the unions is not necessarily what is best for the respective departments, or the City. For example a citizens review board.

[Snaketoz]

No, I wouldn't "refine" it.  Electing the endorsees of the police department elects a person who will most likely give the sheriff a blank check to pad his influence on budgets, give him/her inflated budgets, and make questionable purchases, such as stuff like "shot spotter", tactical equipment like armored personel carriers and tanks, and other cute items that are reactive to the crime problem.  As for the citizens review board, I'm all for it.

[jaxoNOLE]

Was in a discussion with Sheriff Ivey a couple weeks ago, when this came up. A question was asked to him regarding how staff would deal with the results of the "personal attacks" during the campaigns, seeing how everyone will have to work together afterwards. He said that everyone is professional, this will be water under the bridge. He then brought up the issue that's mentioned in the article - how one candidate is allowed to appear in a commercial in uniform, while another is not. His description was that using still photos from time in service are fine, but any new commercials filmed with a live candidate in uniform (not old photos) are not approved. He said one candidate shot a new commercial appearing live in uniform, the other had not, and that's why one candidate was asked to stop.

So much for "water under the bridge."

https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/local/incoming-sheriff-tk-waters-cleans-house-before-taking-office/77-85b8f2c2-8760-49a7-b67f-691b05da9e6b

[...]

Waters says he announced nine demotions Wednesday, part of 31 overall staff changes. Coupled with Ivey's demotion of Ayoub, it represents a dramatic restructuring of senior staff.

"I've never seen this in JSO history, and I've seen some stuff that's kind of crazy," says First Coast News Crime and Safety Analyst Kim Varner, a former JSO detective. "We've never had this may people demoted at once."


Varner says because those demoted were "hardworking, admired" leaders, politics "is the only reason I can think of [for their demotion]. It's very distressing to me."

Waters insists the demotions are non-political and says he even promoted four people who either supported or are personally connected to Burton. He declined to provide their names but said he will release his full org chart "very soon."

[...]

Several in and outside JSO expressed particular surprise over Ayoub's double demotion by Ivey, since he's a prominent member of the sheriff's office and the first Arab American ever to serve as chief. He's also personally well-connected. (Florida Times-Union columnist, with whom First Coast News partnered for this story, notes Ayoub is a childhood friend of Jax Chamber President and mayoral candidate Daniel Davis.)


Ayoub's discipline sprang from a segment on the public radio show First Coast Connect. Shortly before Election Day, Burton phoned the show and claimed that former candidate Ken Jefferson had offered his endorsement in exchange for being named her undersheriff. Jefferson himself called in minutes later and denied the story. When asked if anyone could substantiate her version, Burton noted Ayoub was present. He subsequently confirmed her version.

"For him to endorse [Burton], he wanted to be [her] SO 2 [undersheriff]," Ayoub told WJCT.
[...]