There is a new Sheriff in town

[wrobert]

To a packed courtroom of deputies, family, and friends, Mike Adkinson was administered the oath of office at 12:01 AM on January 1, 2009 and began his career as the new Walton County Sheriff.

The event was something to see. He introduced what appeared to be a very professional executive staff, the sworn personnel were re-sworn, and a short introduction of some policies as they start down the road toward accreditation.

A couple of policy changes were announced on pursuits and take home cars.

 

[scooterbug44]

Hopefully this is just one of the many changes that will make 2009 better than 2008!

 

[wrobert]

Hopefully this is just one of the many changes that will make 2009 better than 2008!

I guess we will see. Eliminating take home cars outside the State of Florida and no pursuits except on pursuing forcible felonies are two very positive steps, imho.

 

[idlewind]

I guess we will see. Eliminating take home cars outside the State of Florida and no pursuits except on pursuing forcible felonies are two very positive steps, imho.

Fully agree about the cars, that was long overdue. But no more chases? How can the media support themselves without the obligatory crash video? Guess speeding tickets will be a thing of the past as if they can't catch us, they can't write us.

 

[wrobert]

Fully agree about the cars, that was long overdue. But no more chases? How can the media support themselves without the obligatory crash video? Guess speeding tickets will be a thing of the past as if they can't catch us, they can't write us.

There is always that though. But the policy has worked out well in other areas and it is pretty sad when a pursuit of a speeder turns into a tragedy because someone did not heed a light.

 

[Creeklover]

What if the deputy works in paxtion and lives just across the state line why should he be punnished for the take home car when some who works in South Walton and lives in Paxton. If that is the case then it should be not allowed out of the county at the least and not out of your zone at the most. I am not provided a company vehicle to drive home i haft to take my work vehicle back to the office and get my personall vehicle everyday. Also how about the ones who live in Bunker and work back on the main land (Over a 1 hour drive through 3 counties to get back to walton...

 

[ShallowsNole]

What if the deputy works in paxtion and lives just across the state line why should he be punnished for the take home car when some who works in South Walton and lives in Paxton. If that is the case then it should be not allowed out of the county at the least and not out of your zone at the most. I am not provided a company vehicle to drive home i haft to take my work vehicle back to the office and get my personall vehicle everyday. Also how about the ones who live in Bunker and work back on the main land (Over a 1 hour drive through 3 counties to get back to walton...

Sometime, somewhere, common sense has to come into play. As long as people are free to live where they want to, personnel can be reassigned to different zones as need be, and a deputy is *technically* on duty 24/7 everyday of his/her life, there is not going to be a perfect system.

 

[Creeklover]

I haft to say that i disagree a deputy is not *Technically* on duty 24/7. If they were they would not be allowed to leave their county or even allowed to drink a beer when they are off duty. That is like saying a EMT is required to rended aid to anyone who is hurt even though they are not on duty. "Not saying most would not stop and help but it is not required"

 

[wrobert]

What if the deputy works in paxtion and lives just across the state line why should he be punnished for the take home car when some who works in South Walton and lives in Paxton. If that is the case then it should be not allowed out of the county at the least and not out of your zone at the most. I am not provided a company vehicle to drive home i haft to take my work vehicle back to the office and get my personall vehicle everyday. Also how about the ones who live in Bunker and work back on the main land (Over a 1 hour drive through 3 counties to get back to walton...

Then it would appear they would leave their car at the Paxton substation and commute back and forth from there.

Taking home a car is a benefit that the department seems to offer within certain parameters. If a deputy does not like those parameters I am sure that no one would have a problem with them seeking employment somewhere else.

 

[wrobert]

I haft to say that i disagree a deputy is not *Technically* on duty 24/7. If they were they would not be allowed to leave their county or even allowed to drink a beer when they are off duty. That is like saying a EMT is required to rended aid to anyone who is hurt even though they are not on duty. "Not saying most would not stop and help but it is not required"

I believe that most, in this county, are armed and have arrest powers 24/7. That does bring up some issues with the use of alcohol.