sheriffs deny reporter's access to meeting with Crist

[choctawjesse]

You would think Okaloosa's Sheriff would have learned his lesson about abusing the sheriff's association and Walton's sheriff would have learned his lesson about public access to meetings and records.

Crist visits Florida sheriffs' conference | conference, crist, florida - News - Northwest Florida Daily News

 

[Matt J]

Unless they are discussing an on going investigation among all 67 counties then it's a public meeting as I'm sure public funds were used to pay for this. Looks like bad PR for our local Sheriff and the Sheriff's Association.

 

[scooterbug44]

So the sheriffs met w/ the governor, it was public knowledge, and they gave quotes to the press before hand, and then went into a private meeting.

Does this violate a sunshine law?

Hate to say it, but based on the general cranial-rectal inversion of the national press corps, this seems like a non-issue........and a good idea.

 

[idlewind]

So the sheriffs met w/ the governor, it was public knowledge, and they gave quotes to the press before hand, and then went into a private meeting.

Does this violate a sunshine law?

Hate to say it, but based on the general cranial-rectal inversion of the national press corps, this seems like a non-issue........and a good idea.

You think it is ok to bar a local reporter from a meeting funded by tax money? Why would a speech by an elected official to elected officials need to be private? What were they talking about, how to funnel charlie morris more money? And why is our local sheriff's office taking orders from the sheriff's association? Something here does not pass the smell test

 

[Douglas the Intrepid]

It was a private meeting. Not everything that happens in the universe is a press event. :roll:

 

[seagrovegirl]

What about the Sunshine Law? Were they in an executive session? If so, then doors are legally closed.

Sheriff Atkinson will you please clear his up for us?

 

[beachmouse]

I thought the Florida Sheriffs Association was a private entity, so it would seem like Sunshine laws don't apply to most of their activities.

 

[Here4Good]

The FSA is basically a lobbying group, by their own admission:

"The Florida Sheriffs Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation made up of the 67 Sheriffs of Florida, approximately 3,500 business leaders and 130,000 citizens throughout the state.
Founded in 1893, FSA has quietly served the citizens of Florida by supporting the needs of the state's law enforcement community. It has grown to be one of the largest and most successful state law enforcement associations in the nation.

"Through the Florida Sheriffs Association, the 67 Sheriffs of Florida are given a forum to address lawmakers to push for positive changes in the criminal justice system in our state. FSA also provides Sheriffs' Offices badly needed programs such as affordable training, special task forces and legislative and legal services. Because FSA unites the efforts of all Sheriffs Offices in the state, the result is a significant cost savings for better quality policing."

 

[Will B]

The Sherrif's Association and the Walton Co. Sherrif's Dept are two totally different things. The Association can do whatever they want to do. They are not a government entity.

 

[Mike AdkinsonJr]

Thank you for your inquiry about the NWF Daily News articl on the Sheriff’s conference. The Florida Sheriff’s Association (FSA) is not a tax funded entity it is funded by the individual sheriff’s off the state of Florida and private donors The same is true of the Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranches. The conference is NOT FUNDED with taxpayer money It does however bring ten’s of thousands of dollars to our local businesses. Let us be frank, the embarrassment to our area caused by Charlie Morris is staggering. The FSA believed that by coming directly back to our area that it would demonstrate that it had faith in our community and provided us with a chance to spotlight Walton Co. This is the first time we have hosted the conference since the late 90’s. As a point of interest the training provided by the FSA is eligible for taxpayer funding, the FSA elects to pay for it as a service to the sheriff’s and the taxpayers. The training this year was excellent with Dr Kevin Gillmartin providing valuable insight. Numerous law enforcement officials from various agencies attended both days of the training.

So specifically, why bar a reporter from coming in? It was a private meeting that allows the sheriffs to speak freely in their discussion and criticisms of both policies and practices. We set forth association goals and agendas. There were extensive discussion on open cases from around the state (many of which you would be familiar with). In addition, quite a bit of discussion about closed cases and how they were handled. I am glad that the FSA chooses not to allow anyone in the room for these discussions, as I believe that the ability to speak freely to our peers and yes to even be critical of each other is important to making us more effective.

Sheriff’s do not appropriate his or her own budget and are therefore not barred from meeting in private. So much was gained from this conference professionally and by the private business of this county that it is a shame that all that is being discussed is one criminal. You would be hard pressed to find a public official more aware of the requirements of Florida statute 119 (governing public records). Personally, I would have let the reporter in to listen to the Governor; however, it was not my decision to make.