FSAcast

In this episode, FSA speaks with Citrus County Sheriff David Vincent, who was elected sheriff in 2024 after serving his community for more than two decades. Sheriff Vincent goes over his first 100 days in office as well as the new initiatives he is implementing for his office, which includes equipping all 115 deputies within the patrol division with body cameras. Sheriff Vincent covers the steps h...

In this episode, FSA provides a Week 6 legislative update and dives into key public safety priorities as we pass the midpoint of the legislative session. We then sit down with the State Attorney for the 7th Judicial Circuit, RJ Larizza, to discuss the Jason Raynor Act , including the tragic case that inspired it. We explain the recent contention in the Senate over the bill and how both sides ultim...

In this episode, the Florida Sheriffs Association provides a Week 5 legislative recap as we highlight the Florida Sheriffs Association's successful Sheriffs Day at the Capitol. We discuss the progress of key bills and FSA priorities that are helping shape public safety. FSA then sits down with Representative Rachel Plakon (District 36 – Seminole County), the sponsor of not just one, but two of the...

In this episode, FSA provides a Week 4 legislative recap and then sits down with Senator Colleen Burton (District 12) to discuss her important work in protecting children with strong new legislation on hemp products (SB 438) as well as the enjoyment of representing the great citizens of Polk County…to include Sheriff Grady Judd!

In this episode, FSA provides a Week 3 legislative recap and then sits down with Senator Stan McClain (District 9) to discuss his work in the Legislature as Chair of the Senate Community Affairs Committee. Senator McClain talks about a bill he is working on this year that will allow sheriffs to obtain grant funding for expedited state-of-the-art DNA services. 

In this episode, FSA provides an overview of the new immigration law that passed the Florida Legislature during a special session in February. Widely viewed as the most aggressive crackdown on illegal immigration, FSA discusses key parts of the bill to lay the framework before listeners hear the FSA's legislative chair, Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, provide keen insights into the immigration problem we a...

In this episode, FSA provides a preview of the 2025 legislative session. We discuss the sheriffs' legislative priorities and then we sit down with two of FSA's contract lobbyists, Angela Drzewiecki of GrayRobinson and Jennifer Green of Liberty Partners. Angela and Jennifer offer key insights and what we can expect from our state Capitol at the start of another fast-paced legislative session.

In this episode, FSA speaks with the president of the National Sheriffs Association (NSA), Canyon County Sheriff Kieran Donahue. Now serving his fourth term, Sheriff Donahue talks about the pride he has in serving and protecting the citizens of his county. We learn about the special features of Canyon County, Idaho, and why he ran and was then successfully elected the 84 th president of NSA. Sheri...

In this episode, FSA speaks with the newly elected sheriff of St. Lucie County, Richard Del Torro. Hear about Sheriff Del Torro's career path and how being the chief of the Port St. Lucie Police Department prepared him for a run for sheriff in 2024. We also find out why St. Lucie County is a special place to live and work and what new initiatives Sheriff Del Torro will lead during his first term i...

In this episode, FSA speaks with Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz during the 2024 Florida Sheriff's Academy. On January 7, 2025, Rosie Cordero-Stutz was sworn-in as the first elected sheriff of Miami-Dade County in almost 60 years. Learn about her extensive and distinguished service as a law enforcement officer in Miami-Dade and why she decided to run for sheriff. We also discuss how...

In the fourth installment of the Oral History of Amendment 10, we discuss the proceeding years since passage of Amendment 10 and the work of some in Miami-Dade County to create a bifurcated system in which there is both a sheriff and a countywide police department. We go in detail covering the steps sheriffs took to combat those efforts to include litigation against Miami-Dade County. Sheriffs ult...

In the third installment of the Oral History of Amendment 10, we discuss the lawsuits filed by several counties in the summer of 2018 in their attempt to toss Amendment 10 from the November ballot. We cover the litigation that went all the way up to the Florida Supreme Court and how the constitutional officers were ultimately victorious. Then with less than 50 days before the election, sheriffs go...

In the second installment of the Oral History of Amendment 10, we discuss Florida's 20-year quirk – the Constitution Revision Commission. What is this commission and how is it able to directly put amendments on to the ballot for voters to approve or reject?  We learn about the sheriffs' efforts to work with this unique commission and how one commissioner, Martin County Clerk of Court Carolyn Timma...

In the first installment of the Oral History of Amendment 10, we discuss the past efforts that abolished the elected Office of Sheriff in several counties, and how, over many decades, sheriffs fought to regain their positions. Then, in 2017, a new state senator from Miami-Dade County introduced a bill to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot, ensuring that all voters could elect their she...

In this episode, FSA speaks with Luke Niforatos, the executive vice president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) about the dangers of statewide recreational marijuana legalization. Luke is widely recognized as one of the nation's leading drug policy experts and he covers what he has learned from other states. Luke highlights the perils of haphazard efforts to legalize marijuana and what Florid...

In this episode, FSA speaks with the new president of the Florida Sheriffs Association Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell. We discuss his unique path into the field of law enforcement as well as his work as the chairman of the Statewide Commission on Mental Health and Substance Abuse. Sheriff Prummell also shares the programs and practices he is most proud of during his time as sheriff, and he...

In this episode, FSA speaks with Santa Barbara County (California) Sheriff Bill Brown, who is currently the president of the Major County Sheriffs of America. Sheriff Brown took time out during a busy Annual Conference in Palm Beach to cover all things Major County Sheriffs of America. With more than 2,700 square miles and a population of more than 450,000, being the sheriff of Santa Barbara Count...

In this episode, FSA speaks with Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw during the Major County Sheriffs of America's Annual Conference. Sheriff Bradshaw was first elected in 2004 and has served five terms as sheriff of one of Florida's most populous counties. We discuss the dynamics of Palm Beach County and what his deputies do each day to keep the coastline safe and secure. Sheriff Bradshaw has...

In this episode, FSA speaks with the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) Executive Director Chuck Wexler at their Annual Meeting in Orlando. Chuck led a lively town hall with sheriffs and police chiefs, and we discuss the various topics that were covered; from staffing and the use of civilian personnel to reducing violent crime in our communities.  We learn about the history of PERF and how the...

In this episode, FSA speaks with Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez from the Police Executive Research Forum's (PERF) Annual Meeting in Orlando. During the meeting, Sheriff Gonzalez was awarded the PERF Leadership Award for his outstanding public safety work in the Houston area. First elected sheriff in 2016, Sheriff Gonzalez runs the largest sheriff's office in Texas. He directs more than 5,000 em...

In this episode, FSA speaks with Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford.  Sheriff Ford was first elected sheriff in 2016 and has been a leader in addressing numerous public safety issues in the panhandle. Early on in his first term, Sheriff Ford had to respond to the devastation of Hurricane Michael. Hear about the lessons learned from that tragedy and how he has taken on the role of chairing the FSA Task...

In this episode, FSA speaks with Alachua County Sheriff Emery Gainey.  A veteran of the Office who began his career in 1982, he rose through the ranks holding leadership positions in numerous areas of the sheriff's office operations.  Then, after a 25-year career with the sheriff's office, Sheriff Gainey became the Director of Law Enforcement & Victim Services for three Florida Attorneys General a...

In this episode, FSA speaks with Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast, who has served his country in the U.S. Army, his state as the executive director of the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs and now the citizens of Citrus County as their elected sheriff.  We talk about how those life experiences helped shape his service as sheriff as well as the numerous leadership roles he has accepted w...

In this episode, FSA speaks with Gulf County Sheriff Mike Harrison. First elected sheriff in 2012, Sheriff Harrison serves as a member of FSA's important Legislative Committee and on the association's Board of Directors. Hear about Sheriff Harrison's past experiences in law enforcement and how it has shaped his work in Gulf County, a special place in the panhandle that is a pleasant place to live,...

In this episode, FSA speaks with Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters, who was recently elected sheriff after serving the people of Duval County for more than 30 years. Before being elected sheriff, he worked in the county jail then graduated from the police academy and rose through the ranks working in numerous capacities within the agency's major departments of Patrol & Enforcement and Homeland Secu...