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OCSO 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

A message from Okaloosa County Sheriff Larry Ashley

As we begin a new year in 2015, I am reminded first of how honored and humbled I am to serve as your Sheriff and to lead the men and women of your Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. 2014 was another busy year full of challenges and many achievements. Once again the men and women of your Sheriff’s Office worked with unparalleled professionalism to provide exceptional service to the citizens and visitors of Okaloosa County and citing a single crowning achievement will be exceedingly difficult. While the following report highlights the efforts and achievements of our men and women, I would be remiss if I did not draw special attention to a few of their more significant accomplishments:

Once again in 2014 your Sheriff’s Office operated with one of the lowest “per capita cost” and “officer per thousand citizen ratios” in the country. Our per capita costs are 43% less than the national average for agencies serving a similar population size and this does not include or account for our tourist population. According to the International City/County Managers Association Annual Report, and Municipal Yearbook, the average per capita cost for an agency that serves between 100,000 to 249,000 was $286. The amended proposal going into our FY 2015 budget was $163 per capita and is based on the 2013 population estimate of 190,183. Additionally the current average of 3.12 sworn officers for the South Atlantic Region and a 2.46 national average are well above our current ratio of 1.45 sworn officers per thousand citizens for the coming FY 2015.

Our agency also experienced a record number of calls for service in 2014 with 219,842 and we expect more of the same in 2015. Okaloosa County is currently the 4th most visited county in the state of Florida and the second most visited county by auto visitors.

Since 2007 we have experienced a 31% climb in calls for service and attribute this to the substantial increase in the number of visitors to our community as well as the steady increase to our permanent population.

We are grateful to our citizens, community leaders and the BOCC for recognizing these shortages in man-power and resources and we look forward to working closely with each of them as we continue to address these concerns in the coming years. These resource shortcomings however did not deter the professionalism and commitment of our people as the examples below will attest:

*The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s School Resource Officer program was recognized as the Best in Florida and a model for the nation in 2014. The men and women who make up this unit are consummate professionals committed to the safety of students, teachers, and staff at all of our local schools.

*The Criminal Investigations Division again solved two cold case homicides in 2014 and secured indictments against those responsible:

Mr. Buddy Phelps was murdered in 1981 and the case remained unsolved for 23 years. The professionalism and tenacity of Investigator Mike Irwin, who identified Jackie Long as a suspect in the case, was inspiring. The evidence developed by Investigator Irwin resulted in Jackie Long’s indictment for the Phelps murder by an Okaloosa County Grand Jury in June 2014 and brought long overdue closure to the family.

In 1998, 71 year old Jewel Melvin was found murdered in her Crestview home. For the ensuing 16 years, Investigators Ralph Garret and Mike Irwin worked tirelessly

identifying witnesses and developing evidence that resulted in Michael McCombs and Steve Kimmons being indicted for Ms. Melvin’s murder by an Okaloosa County Grand Jury in August 2014. Again this effort led to long overdue closure for the victim’s family.

*At our 2014 Annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Luncheon, Deputy Sheriff Jonathan Schlager was recognized by guest speaker, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, as the Okaloosa County Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.

*2014 also saw the groundbreaking for a new 10,000 square foot Investigative Facility co-located at the Sheriff’s Office Headquarters Complex. Upon completion in April 2015, this new facility will result in a $120,000 annual savings by eliminating the need to lease office space for the Investigations Division.

*Many heroic efforts on the part of Okaloosa County Deputies earned numerous “Life Saving Awards” and “Medals of Merit” during 2014.

*2014 also saw your Sheriff’s Office earn re-accreditation through the Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission. Accreditation Inspectors found OCSO to be fully compliant with each of the 251 accreditation standards and cited 11 exemplary policies, projects and procedures including our Citizen’s Academy, Take Me Home, and Checking On Delinquent Youth programs to mention a few.

The men and women of the Sheriff’s Office continue to contribute, even in their off duty hours. During 2014 members of your Sheriff’s Office donated over $60,000 and many hours of their personal time and resources to numerous charitable efforts in our community. Examples include over $15,000 of sporting goods and equipment donated to the Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranches as part of the School Resource Officer’s sponsored ‘Cram the Canoe Contest’, and over $10,000 donated to the Children’s Advocacy Center when OCSO partnered with Florida Chapter XXV of the Blue Knights to Co-sponsor the Emerald Coast Challenge motorcycle skills competition, which promotes police community relations, motorcycle safety, and charitable giving as it’s platform.

All of these accomplishments are but a very few of the many highlights and charitable endeavors undertaken by the generous men and women of your Sheriff’s Office. These efforts only confirm what I have known all along, that the members of your Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office are committed and invested both professionally and personally in the betterment of the community we serve.

I hope you enjoy reading this year’s annual report with its many achievements while also becoming more aware of the future challenges we face as a community going forward. Please visit our website at www.sheriff-okaloosa.org and friend us on Facebook for more information about your Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.

Respectfully,

Sheriff Larry Ashley