Sheriff’s Letter: New Deputies Are On The Way For North Escambia

June 8, 2009

Escambia County’s sheriff is once again reaffirming his commitment to increase the number of deputies in North Escambia. Sheriff David Morgan has stated several times that he will add three new deputies in Century and two in Molino by August.

After a NorthEscambia.com story a few days ago about the Sheriff’s Department and Century, Morgan and Lt. Tony Jordan, the officer in charge of the Molino precinct, both wrote to NorthEscambia.com to explain that the deputies were still on their way.

Morgan’s remarks came in a comment posted on NorthEscambia.com in response to posters that alleged Morgan had transferred deputies out of patrol and had shorted the Molino precinct after his town hall meeting there.

Morgan’s comments to NorthEscambia.com are below, followed by a letter from Jordan.

Please understand that you are commenting on “dated information.” Capt Randy Pippin was assigned approximately 3 weeks ago to Homeland Security. He is a “one deep shop.” Occasionally other officers will augment him, but none other is permanently assigned.

You are correct on personnel numbers and assignments not being clear. Until recently, the 30 (approximately) personnel assigned to Court Security were lumped into “patrol.” This is misleading, just as considering CID as “administration” is misleading. Investigators work all hours and are on call. We are correcting the organizational chart and structure to reflect (for the average citizen) accurate representations of personnel assignments.

Yes, several reassignments occurred from CID. After a lengthy meeting with Commander Bobby Jackson and Lt. Haines, it was determined that every new deputy would be assigned to patrol and only on an emergency basis would an officer be taken for other assignments. (Such as responding to what I consider an emergency, e.g., the growing gang problem in Escambia County.)

As of today, Narcotics is down 2 personnel and Training is down one. There are no plans to backfill those positions.

Management is not a exact science. As an example, from this last class of 6 officers, 2 were “dual certified” having come to us from Corrections. Assignments were made based upon their completion of upgrade training. After a few weeks on the road, one has requested to return to corrections, and as of Friday, the second is seriously considering it. “Patrol is not what I thought it would be.” So someone (precinct) is going to come up short, correct? I cannot provide what I do not have and we cannot continue to take personnel from investigations, narcotics, etc.. However, we note the shortage and make arrangements to backfill it with the next class.

Now factor into this retirements and medical issues. So we may, in fact, get the Molino Substation up to 15 assigned officers, and in 60-90 days have a retirement, medical issue, etc., and lose an officer. At this point we use the flex shift, Reserves, etc., to keep the numbers balanced until we can permanently (once again) get the numbers stable.

This described process is an almost daily occurence. Management of an organization of this size and complexity (1,057) requires constant monitoring. It is a little like vehicle maintenance, one does not “change the oil and tune up the car one time” and then never consider repeating it.

I have walked the streets of Century 2 times (in a little over 4 months in office), I’ve had lunch at the Panhandle Restaurant twice, I’ve spoken at the Flomaton/Century Rotary, the ECSO Bike Patrol has been there 4 times, and I’ve held a Town Hall Meeting in Molino. I have not been informed of any sheriff in recent memory that has focused on the issues in the north end to this extent. I am fulfilling my promises to the citizens to not ignore them as it has been done in the past, based solely upon politics. (If I was that sort I would not be in Century, for I did not “win” there. But this is not about me personally, nor politics, its about public safety and keeping your word.)

All of my management decisions will not be popular nor agreed upon by all. But I will assure you that they are based upon sound management principles, leadership, and not personality nor politically driven.

Thank you for your oversight and concern for the citizens of North Escambia County.

David Morgan, Sheriff
Escambia County, FL
850-436-9512

And from Lt. Tony Jordan, the officer in charge of the Molino Precinct (which is part of the Cantonment district as referenced):

It has been brought to my attention that there has been ongoing heated words regarding deputies assigned to Cantonment and Century. I would like to clarify as much as possible. At the time of the Cantonment Town Hall meeting, Cantonment was at full staff. We have lost one deputy and currently we are one short of our normal full crew. Adjustments have been made and I feel comfortable with the Sergeants and deputies that are assigned to us to maintain our status quo. We have been assured that we will replace that deputy as well as additional manpower. The projected date is August. There are many things that transpire in this large agency on a daily basis. We have injuries, sickness, retirements, and deputies that leave on a constant basis. I have no reason to believe that Sheriff Morgan will not be true to his word. Please reassure your readers that we are safe in the north end of the county and we have made arrangements for the temporary decrease in manpower. We are also being optimistic that we may replace the one deputy prior to August.

Comments

9 Responses to “Sheriff’s Letter: New Deputies Are On The Way For North Escambia”

  1. techno on June 9th, 2009 12:25 pm

    Thanks Mr Morgan for the ggod work. We are shown everyday that you care and we are proud that we voted for you. I see you still have some McNuggets in the ranks by a few of the comments below.

  2. Patrol Deputy on June 9th, 2009 12:07 am

    WOW, I am actually at a lose for words.

  3. G on June 8th, 2009 10:53 pm

    Be careful what you wish for.

  4. Barricade on June 8th, 2009 7:17 pm

    Sorry Sheriff but you need to check your transfers and facts. Deputy Hobbs was transfered from patrol to homeland security. The Captain is not a one man show as you put it.

    When will we get an honest answer from you? As a commander in the Air Force I would expect you to handle a 1000 person office with ease, especially with an education and background like yours. Maybe you can cut some of those “contract positions” you have to add more deputies as they are not critical to the function of the office, just a suggestion.

  5. concerned on June 8th, 2009 3:45 pm

    Hey, my hat is off to the sherrif. In a litlle more than four months he has shown more interest in the north end, than the last one did his whole time in office. And thank you for grounding the helicopter, I would be scared to know the amount of money that has been burned up in fuel alone. The helicopter can be a valuable asset if the fat is trimmed from the program. I do believe that Sherrif Morgan will do his best to keep his word, but he is human and the problems that he inherrited with the job can’t be solved over night.

  6. guest on June 8th, 2009 3:01 pm

    I agree with interested reader, Sheriff please open up the Walnut Hill Precinct.

  7. bwayne on June 8th, 2009 10:15 am

    At least Sheriff Morgan is addressing the problem which has gone so long swept under the rug. Hopefully, there will be enough officers to fill these positions. As much flack and criticism that is shoveled at these officers, I am surprised we still have as many as we do now, and let’s face it, the pay is not that great.

  8. interested reader on June 8th, 2009 9:46 am

    Sorry Sheriff Morgan but you will not be able to walk the streets of the Walnut Hill area. It is not safe to drive much less walk since we have speeders on every road up here. PLEASE open the Walnut Hill precient soon. We need it as it will help some of our problems to see a patrol car in the area. We know you can’t do everything at once but that nice new office has been vacant for too long. Thanks for what you are trying to do. We are behind you 100%.

  9. me on June 8th, 2009 9:25 am

    Leys give the guy a chance – at least the North end is on his mind and maybe – just maybe – he will come through for us. He has given us a lot more attention in the few months that he has been in office than in the past – hopefully it will continue. He also seems to be making a genuine effort to be approachable and answer our (North end) questions and concerns – he certainally deserves an “A” for effort in that regard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That he gets out of the office and walks/rides the streets and talks to people – to me- shows that he is trying very very hard. I am sure he will make some mistakes and unpopular decisions (no one is perfect) but he deserves a chance and a little time to show what else he can do. Maybe he will even change his mind or somehow adjust the budget for a helicopter
    GOOD LUCK SHERIFF – please don’t forget us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News