ISSUES: Responsibility • Accountability • Accessibility

• Fiscal Responsibility
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) consumes in excess of 5.5 million dollars "annually," a luxury we can no longer afford.  The Franklin County Sheriff's Office (FCSO) is the third largest employer in Franklin County, behind the School system and the State Prison.

Do you know where that money is going, now? As your Sheriff, I will publish the department’s budget on the county’s web-site. You will know where each of your tax dollars is going.

According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Franklin County enjoys the highest ratio of law enforcement officers to citizens in the State of Florida (3,67 officers/deputes for every 1000 residences based on 25 FCSO deputies reported to FDLE in 2006).  FCSO actually employs 42 full time sworn law enforcement officers/deputies.  This does not include Apalachicola and Carrabelle Police Officers. 

• Departmental Accreditation
If elected, I will immediately seek Florida and National Law Enforcement Accreditation for the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. This is a formal and thorough peer review by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). This recognition will document to the citizens of Franklin County that their Sheriff’s Office adheres to high standards of professionalism and would be among the finest law enforcement agencies in the state.  Becoming accredited by the Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission is a significant accomplishment and this status is held in high esteem by the criminal justice community.  Accreditation would significantly reduce the County’s civil and criminal liability and increase its judicial standing. 

• Community Involvement
Community service will be paramount.  I will implement a Police Explorer program and Teen Court for Franklin County middle and high school children, community policing in all neighborhoods, a “Crime Stopper” (turn in a drug pusher) reward program and a Reserve Deputy Program will be instituted, capitalizing on the expertise of experienced former law enforcement personnel living in our community.

• Partner with Federal, State and Local Law Enforcement Professionals
If elected, I will capitalize on my relationship with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol,Tobacco and Firearms, the FBI and other federal, state and local agencies to implement an aggressive and continuing program of training and enforcement. Training will be implemented utilizing the expertise of existing agencies in surrounding cities and counties.  These agencies will be utilized to augment sheriff’s office personnel to eliminate drug trafficking and other criminal activities in our community. This will be accomplished with minimal expense to Franklin County.

• Career Service
If elected, I will ask State Legislators to pass local legislation giving Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputies “Career Status.”  This will give all deputies below the rank of Captain, legal standing before a grievance committee; the Deputies would no longer serve solely at the discretion of the Sheriff.  Nationally accredited hiring standards will be implemented and a career path established, resulting in higher moral and a more professional law enforcement agency, at no cost to the County.

• Maximize Federal and State Law Enforcement Grants
I will utilize the expertise of other law enforcement agencies in achieving the maximum benefit of available grants for training, equipment and personnel.

• Accessibility
24/7 Availability.  Citizens and Visitors to Franklin County would have access to the Sheriff’s Department 24 hours a day, Seven Days a week.  No more locked doors at 4:30 PM and Weekends.  As your Sheriff, I will be available to assist you, in person or by telephone at all times of the day or night.  I will personally host regularly scheduled town meetings in Alligator Point, Carrabelle, Lanark, Eastpoint, St. George Island and Apalachicola.

A Note from Bruce
Over the past 10 years, and since we chose Franklin County as our home, I have watched the county grow far beyond my expectations.  Property values skyrocketed and so did property taxes.  The biggest spender is the Sheriff.  As a proven professional, I promise to reign in the FCSO without compromising the professional services expected and demanded by the citizens and visitors to Franklin County.  It’s a luxury we can no longer afford.  Bruce Barnes