Mike Adkinson Jr Introduction (Sheriff candidate)

[Mike AdkinsonJr]

Friends,
My name is Mike Adkinson, Jr. and I’m a Republican running for Sheriff of Walton County. I’m writing to you today to introduce myself and explain why I believe I am best suited to serve as your next sheriff. Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me and my campaign and allowing me this opportunity to participate in your valuable and insightful forum.
I am currently serving as City Marshal of DeFuniak Springs. I am running for sheriff because Walton County residents need a higher level of service from their sheriff’s office and a sheriff who will protect their hard-earned tax dollars, not mismanage and waste them.
As sheriff, I’ll bring an end to the waste and use our tax dollars to provide better service to the people living, working and raising a family here. Through careful personal oversight and conservative fiscal management of the DeFuniak Springs Police Department’s $1.7 million budget, I have been able to stretch taxpayer dollars and help hold the line on taxes. I will do the same as sheriff.
If voters see fit to elect me, I will restructure the sheriff’s office so employees better understand their jobs and role in the agency. Mistakes made due to inadequate training are costly in terms of both money and employee morale. As city marshal, I see that employees are trained and qualified for the work they are asked to perform. As sheriff, the people of Walton County can count on me to follow that same procedure.
Modernizing the sheriff’s office and bringing it in line with accredited law enforcement practices is also among my immediate concerns. As DeFuniak Springs City Marshal since 2005, I have implemented major changes in policy, practice and training, resulting in better qualified personnel, improved service and modern law enforcement practices. (For more details about many of the improvements I have made as city marshal, please click here.)
As your sheriff, I will bring a spirit of cooperation to the office and put an end to the hostilities between the sheriff’s office and other departments and governing bodies. I will reestablish good working relationships with other law enforcement agencies, City of DeFuniak Springs and the Board of County Commissioners. Working together will improve services and lower costs.
One way to save money and improve service is to implement a central communications system for all Walton County emergency services. As sheriff, I will lead that effort.
I believe it is important for our sheriff to be accountable and available to the public, sheriff’s office employees and news media. As sheriff, I will adopt the same open door policy I have in effect as city marshal, establishing regular office hours when anyone can walk in and meet with me. (For more details about my goals as sheriff, please click here.)
I am a sixth-generation native of Walton County and a 15-year law enforcement veteran. Prior to serving as DeFuniak Springs City Marshal, I served with the Tallahassee Police Department, Florida Department of Corrections and Florida Bureau of Probation and Parole. In addition, I serve as an adjunct instructor at the Pat Thomas Law Enforcement Academy and have lectured on law enforcement issues at Florida State University and Florida A&M University.
As First Line Supervisor/Field Training Officer for the Tallahassee Police Department from 2000-2005, I supervised, evaluated and trained new police officers to excel in the line of duty. In addition, I was one of only a few officers specially assigned investigations from the burglary and homicide/assault divisions.

I was honored to serve as head of Florida’s GPS project for the 2nd Judicial Circuit in 1998, the first officer in Florida to hold such a position. My responsibilities for the statewide project included serving as lead field contact for auditors from The Office of Policy Program Analysis and Government Accountability and representing the project before Senate and House committees. In 1999, I was placed in charge of the state probation & parole field office located in Jefferson County. To my knowledge, I was one of the youngest officers to achieve that position in the 25,000-member department. I reported directly to the Deputy Circuit Administrator in Tallahassee.

In 2005, I was appointed to complete the remaining term in office of the former DeFuniak Springs City Marshal. In 2007, I was elected to the office by winning 67 percent of the votes cast. (For more details about by experience, please click here.)
I am a 1988 graduate of Walton Senior High School. I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in criminology in 1992 from Florida State University and am currently working on my Master’s degree in Criminal Justice with a focus in critical incident management. I have continued my criminal justice education by attending more than 2,000 hours of additional law enforcement training.
I am honored to be the recipient of numerous commendations during my law enforcement career including being nominated for top law enforcement officer of the year in the Big Bend area when I served on the Tallahassee Police Department. I currently serve on the Ethics Committee for the Florida Chief’s Association.
I have been married for 14 years and live in DeFuniak Springs with my wife Erin and our two daughters, aged seven and three.
For more information, please visit my campaign Web site at www.MikeAdkinsonJr.com.
Thank you again for reading this and investing the time to learn about the candidates for sheriff. I hope after visiting my Web site and learning more about me that you will honor me with your vote in the Republican Primary Election on August 26.

Sincerely,
Mike Adkinson, Jr.
Republican candidate for sheriff

[Alicia Leonard]

[rapunzel]

Thanks for taking the time to introduce yourself. Nice website!

It seems to me so many of the issues with the Sheriff's office boil down to management style. I wonder if you'd agree? And I'd like to hear more about your management style/philosophy.

[ShallowsNole]

[ShallowsFuzz]

[Mike AdkinsonJr]

Thank you for taking the time to review my website. As to your question about the management style having an impact, I absolutely agree. However, I would point out that the Office of the Sheriff is also a leadership position. What I mean by this is that the sheriff is ultimately responsible to hire and retain quality, competent managers. Then he has to empower them to make decisions independently without fear of reprisals. In a graduate school, I learned about different management techniques. Many of them had obvious merit such as total quality management, lean six sigma, and good to great. These are well known examples. Moreover, certainly many books have been written extolling certain virtues found in successful leaders such as Who Moved My Cheese, Winning (Jack Welch), and The Seven habits of Highly Effective People. All of these books and management styles are effective if used correctly and I am glad I took the time to study them. However, the truth is I have learned more about being a leader from drawing on the experience, advice and mentorship of people I respect, the majority of whom had no formal “training” in management. The one thing they all had in common is that they listened to their people, led by example and fought hard to support innovative ideas form any level of their organizations. A change in leadership and management style will allow some very talented and dedicated employees to do their job. Earning the Deputies and civilian staff’s respect will pay dividends to the new sheriff, his staff and the citizens of Walton County.

[WCcitizens]

Great to hear from you Marshal Adkinson! Welcome to Sowal's Message board. Wow!!! I believe after reading all your qualifications and your future goals for the WCSO, you are the best qualified out of all the other canidates for sheriff. May God be with you and your family through the upcoming long days & hours of this sheriff's race.

[Badges?]

[B]In 2005, I was appointed to complete the remaining term in office of the former DeFuniak Springs City Marshal.

Was this a competitive appointment?

[Mike AdkinsonJr]

Yes, there was a competitive application process. It was open to all application. Interviews were conducted before the city council and the public. Although the City Marshal’s position does not work for the City council, the fact that they are both elected positions, meant that by charter they should appoint the Marshal’s position until the next election. The interview consisted of questions about law enforcement practices and scenario questions. The scoring and selection was completed at the same time and open to the public.

[Badges?]

Thank you Mike. I appreciate your response.

[Life's a Beach]

Awsome qualifications and experience! Walton County is needing someone with this type of law enforcenment experience. After looking at other canidates qualifications, I find you to be the best qualified and suited for the job. Good luck and may God be with you.

[Tao]

Mike,

Thanks for coming on here to talk. I believe you have done a good job in DFS. The question a lot of people have is this:

Why do you believe you are more qualified and would make a better Sheriff than either Tom Cooper or Dennis Wise? (Both are also running as Republicans and have great credentials and experience)

[Mike AdkinsonJr]

Tao,
I gave quite a lot of thought about how to answer your question. I believe that my qualifications for the position are the strongest in the race. There are significant differences in the areas of education, training, budgetary experience, accreditation experience and familiarity with current law enforcement practices. I hope that you will understand that I do not want to asses the credentials of the other candidates. I feel that it is not fair for me to make that assessment without affording them the opportunity to rebut. I have offered to participate in a debate on several different occasions and I am optimistic that we will do this in early June. I hope that all of the other candidates will accept that opportunity to allow the public to see how we would respond to intense scrutiny. I look forward to the opportunity and welcome the dialogue. I would ask that you take a look at my website www.mikeadkinsonj.com and carefully asses my credentials. Of course, any specific questions can be sent to me by email or I may be reached by phone 797-0700

Mike

[Life's a Beach]

Mike,

Please let the Sowal message board know when you are going to have a meet and greet in S. Walton. I would like to be there! Also let us know when and where the debate will be in June so I could attend.

[Tao]

Tao,
I gave quite a lot of thought about how to answer your question. I believe that my qualifications for the position are the strongest in the race. There are significant differences in the areas of education, training, budgetary experience, accreditation experience and familiarity with current law enforcement practices. I hope that you will understand that I do not want to asses the credentials of the other candidates. I feel that it is not fair for me to make that assessment without affording them the opportunity to rebut. I have offered to participate in a debate on several different occasions and I am optimistic that we will do this in early June. I hope that all of the other candidates will accept that opportunity to allow the public to see how we would respond to intense scrutiny. I look forward to the opportunity and welcome the dialogue. I would ask that you take a look at my website www.mikeadkinsonj.com and carefully asses my credentials. Of course, any specific questions can be sent to me by email or I may be reached by phone 797-0700

Mike

You took the high road on a tough question. I can respect that.

[Yahoodie]

A "Forum" is scheduled on June 12 at the Freeport High School I believe. All the candidates have been asked to attend. Don't know how many have accepted.

[wrobert]

A "Forum" is scheduled on June 12 at the Freeport High School I believe. All the candidates have been asked to attend. Don't know how many have accepted.

Who is sponsoring this? What time?

[Tom Cooper]

Who is sponsoring this? What time?

June 12th from 6pm - 8pm Freeport H.S. Auditorium, sponsored by the Walton County Prevention Coalition.

[wrobert]

June 12th from 6pm - 8pm Freeport H.S. Auditorium, sponsored by the Walton County Prevention Coalition.

Then they should have said that all the other candidates were invited. Cause everyone knows that I am a member of the set candidates, while not a member of the subset all the other candidates.

I did not get your email from the other day, can you try again or pm me on here?

[kurt]

Link to candidate's page, includes financial reports.



My name is Mike Adkinson, Jr. and I’m a Republican running for Sheriff of Walton County. Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me and for voting in this very important race.
I have 15 years of law enforcement experience and am currently serving as City Marshal of DeFuniak Springs. As sheriff, I’ll deliver a higher level of service to the people of Walton County and be responsible with your hard-earned tax dollars.
I have been married for 14 years and live in DeFuniak Springs with my wife Erin and our two daughters, aged six and two.
Information about me and my experience can be found below. Even more can be found at my campaign Web site: www.MikeAdkinsonJr.com.
Thank you again for reading this and investing the time to learn about the candidates for sheriff. I hope after visiting my Web site and learning more about me you will honor me with your vote in the Primary Election on August 26.
• City Marshal of DeFuniak Springs, 2005-Present (appointed by the City Council in 2005; elected in 2007 with 67% of the vote)
• Tallahassee Police Department, Supervisor/Training Officer, 2000-2005
• State of Florida Probation & Parole, Parole Officer/County Office Supervisor, 1993-2000
• Graduate of Florida State University, BS degree in Criminology, 1992
• More than 2,000 hours of specialized law enforcement training
• Graduate of Chief Executive Seminar, Florida Department of Law Enforcement
• Currently working on a master’s degree in Criminal Justice
• Sixth generation native of Walton County
• Raised in DeFuniak Springs
• Age 38
• Lives in DeFuniak Springs with his wife of 14 years, Erin, and their daughters, Annabelle Grace, 7, and Ava Elizabeth, 3
• Member of First Baptist Church of DeFuniak Springs
• Member of West DeFuniak Elementary PTO

[Bonlan]

Mr Adkinson, I have heard many rumors in reference to the hiring of , shall I say, unfavorable backgrounds of some of your officers at the P.D. Is it true that one of your PD officers was fired from previous employment at the Sheriff's office for posing nude in his gunbelt and hat on the internet, another was released from employment for breaking into a city owned vehicle while on duty and several others are actually previous deputies with less than desirable backgrounds as LEO's? This has caused several of us to question your "stated" ethics in relation to the standards you use when you hire an officer. I certainly do not want a deputy enforcing laws that exhibits such poor standards in his private life! Also, if you are for the union and support a union, why did you state in the paper that you would fight the decision the deputies make to unionize should you happen to be elected? I have been told it is because you have a list with several dozen deputy's names you have planned to fire if you are elected and replace them with your people, whom you have promised jobs for their support. Are you against the union coming in before the election because you will not be able to fire all these people on your list to make room for your "promised" people? And lastly, is it true Mr. Chapman is going to be your second in command? Isn't this the same person that was involved in the incident which resulted in the removal of the prior City Marshal for his attempts to gain his certification fraudulently? Isn't he the head of your Investigations Department at the police department now?
Thank you
Bonnie

[CiaoBella]

Thank you Bonnie...finally some truth. I don't know about all officers but there is one that appears to be very unprofessional. He and his wife are not very nice. Check public records.

[crystalclear]

I to have heard all this. And know it to be true. Isn't Mr. Chapman also the same one that worked right under Quinn? I also read and heard he is not for the union.

Mr Adkinson, I have heard many rumors in reference to the hiring of , shall I say, unfavorable backgrounds of some of your officers at the P.D. Is it true that one of your PD officers was fired from previous employment at the Sheriff's office for posing nude in his gunbelt and hat on the internet, another was released from employment for breaking into a city owned vehicle while on duty and several others are actually previous deputies with less than desirable backgrounds as LEO's? This has caused several of us to question your "stated" ethics in relation to the standards you use when you hire an officer. I certainly do not want a deputy enforcing laws that exhibits such poor standards in his private life! Also, if you are for the union and support a union, why did you state in the paper that you would fight the decision the deputies make to unionize should you happen to be elected? I have been told it is because you have a list with several dozen deputy's names you have planned to fire if you are elected and replace them with your people, whom you have promised jobs for their support. Are you against the union coming in before the election because you will not be able to fire all these people on your list to make room for your "promised" people? And lastly, is it true Mr. Chapman is going to be your second in command? Isn't this the same person that was involved in the incident which resulted in the removal of the prior City Marshal for his attempts to gain his certification fraudulently? Isn't he the head of your Investigations Department at the police department now?
Thank you
Bonnie

[crystalclear]

this whold post is from back in April someone being lazy just copied and pasted.

[justbeachy1]

Adkinson will be the best Sheriff this county has ever seen!

[idlewind]

Adkinson will be the best Sheriff this county has ever seen!

I don't know about that, but he should get a fair chance to show what he can do. The negative posters above should start their own thread and keep this one positive about the candidate.

[The Watcher]

Sheriff Adkinson, congratulations on your victory tonight. I am certain that you will bring law and order back to Walton County and the Office of Sheriff. God Bless, Stay Safe.

W

[emeraldcoastdav]

Thank you Sheriff for your opening paragraphs in this blog. Hope we can support you for many years to come!