Meeting in Tallahassee this morning, the Florida Ethics Commission voted 6-1 to find probable cause that Flagler County Sheriff Jim Manfre violated the state’s ethics laws on three counts. The case now goes to the Attorney General’s office for prosecution.
Flagler County Sheriff
Rick Look, Long-Time Flagler Sheriff’s Chief Deputy and Cop’s Cop, Dies at 65
Rick Look had been chief deputy for over seven years until three years ago under Sheriff Don Fleming, had two Purple Hearts and 42 years in law enforcement until his last four years’ battle with illness.
Taking Harder Line Against Sheriff Manfre, Florida Ethics Commission Finds Probable Violations on 3 Counts
The Florida Ethics Commission last year had rejected a deal that would have had Manfre admitting to one violation, seeking a deeper investigation that has now resulted in a potentially harsher penalty.
Don Apperson, Long-Time School Resource Deputy and Youth Leader, Retires
For 13 years until last fall Don Apperson was the face of school resource deputies in Flagler County and appearing before local government boards to advocate either for the SRD system or for stronger laws on various issues.
Flagler Sheriff’s Police Athletic League (P.A.L.) Offers Free Summer Activities for Youth
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Police Athletic League (P.A.L.) is now offering “KIDS, KOPS and K9” during the months of June and July. This free summertime program is being offered to children ages 4-18
In Theoretical Mass Shooting at FPC, a Mass Exercise to Evaluate Vulnerabilities
A man denied custody of his children decides to take his rage out on FPC students in a shooting rampage: that was the scenario around which some 200 responders and volunteer actors recreated an emergency response this morning in a two-hour training exercise at the school.
Sheriff’s $2.5 Million Budget Request Increase Is Largest in 10 Years, With 5% Raise For Ranks
The increase reflects additional staffing at the new jail, money for 10 new patrol vehicles, a 5 percent across-the-board raise and state-required retirement contributions accounting for the bulk of the increase.
Sheriff’s Cmdr. Steve Brandt Is Crime Stoppers’ Flagler Officer of the Year
Steve Brandt, an 21-year veteran of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office promoted just two weeks ago to Commander, was named just days later Flagler County Officer of the Year by Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida.
In Split Decision, Sheriff’s Sergeant Fired 2 Years Ago Ordered Reinstated, With 9 Months’ Back Pay
Sheriff Manfre fired Sgt. Chris Ragazzo 2 years ago for accessing police databases for personal business. An arbitrator today ruled the firing was disproportionate to the offense and did not follow due process.
Crime Rate Falls to Historic Low in Flagler, Mirroring State and National Trend
Flagler’s crime rate is 40 percent lower than Florida’s, and in 2014 it was 29 percent lower than its peak in 2007. Bunnell continues to account for a disproportionate number of arrests.