FSAcast

In this episode, FSA speaks with Hardee County Sheriff Vent Crawford. Learn about Sheriff Crawford's distinguished career as a trooper with the Florida Highway Patrol and how it eventually led him to run for sheriff in 2020. We also discuss how his county prepared for and responded to Hurricane Ian last year. Sheriff Crawford talks about ways in which he is building his office to adjust to the man...

In this episode, FSA speaks with Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman. First elected in 2020, Sheriff Hoffman has taken on the role of chairing FSA's new Accreditation Advisory Committee. Learn about why the accreditation process is so important to sheriffs and how sheriffs are working together to help support those seeking state accreditation. In addition, we cover all things Sarasota and disc...

In the final episode of the 2023 legislative session, FSA sits down with three members of our lobbying team, Angela Drzewiecki, Jennifer Green and Tim Parson, to talk about Florida's record-breaking budget and the successful session for the sheriffs and public safety. We conclude with a discussion on some of the other big issues from this session and our predictions on what time the Legislature wi...

In this episode, FSA provides a Week 8 legislative recap. We discuss the status of the state budget and provide an update on FSA's priority bills, including an update on the controlled substances bill (HB 365). We also discuss a bill (HB 269) that was signed by Gov. DeSantis this week during his overseas trip to Israel that will address the hate crimes that have been growing across Florida. Jennif...

In this episode, FSA gives a brief recap of the seventh week of the legislative session, including a discussion on the Catalytic Converter bill that passed this week and the status of the FSA's priority bills.

In this episode, FSA provides a Week 6 legislative recap. We discuss the status of several FSA priority bills and then sit down with Rep. Chuck Brannan, Chair of the House Justice Appropriations Subcommittee. We go into detail about his sponsored legislation, including his work on HB 543 and the positive impact the bill will have on school safety across the state. Lastly, Chair Brannan highlights...

In this episode, FSA talks the budget, the budget and the budget.  This week the House and Senate each passed $113 billion spending plans, setting the stage for negotiations on a final spending plan for the fiscal year that begins on July 1. We sit down with Jennifer Green of Liberty Partners, who covers all the angles of the state budget with 30 days to go in session.

In this episode, FSA provides a Week 4 legislative recap that covers all things Miami. We cover the status of FSA's priority bill that will finally implement and establish the elected and independent Office of Sheriff in Miami-Dade County. We then sit down with Kathy Fernandez Rundle, the State Attorney for the 11 th Judicial District (Miami-Dade County). We discuss her office's various public saf...

In this episode, FSA provides a Week 3 legislative recap with a great summary of a successful Sheriffs Day at the Capitol. 38 sheriffs walked the halls and met with legislators and the governor.  We also sit down with FSA President Sheriff Al Nienhuis as he summarizes the work that was done, and he also explains the importance of Rapid DNA.  Funding of Rapid DNA in our county jails is a top priori...

In this episode, FSA provides a Week 2 legislative recap. We discuss the status of several FSA priority bills, such as efforts to curb our state's fentanyl overdose crisis and a new bill to pursue criminals who try to steal the catalytic convertor from your car. We then sit down with Jennifer Green and Tim Parson of Liberty Partners.  Jennifer and Tim are lobbyists for FSA, and they offer key insi...

In this episode, FSA provides a Week 1 legislative recap by discussing the status of constitutional carry and the Governor's State of the State address. We then sit down with former House member Bob Cortes, who is currently the Government Affairs Coordinator for Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma. Bob is a great asset to FSA and you get to hear all about why on this week's show! 

In this episode, FSA provides a preview of the 2023 legislative session. We discuss the sheriffs' legislative priorities, highlight the various public safety bills that have been filed and review the legislative priorities of Governor Ron DeSantis.  We also interview Ryan Matthews and Angela Drzewiecki of GrayRobinson. Ryan and Angela are lobbyists for FSA, and offer key insights on the upcoming l...

In this episode, FSA hears from Congressman Mike Waltz, who proudly serves Florida's 6 th Congressional District and is the first Green Beret elected to Congress. Congressman Waltz talked about his support for the Federal 1033 Program, which provides surplus military equipment to local law enforcement. The program has saved not only lives, but taxpayers' dollars over the past two decades. Congress...

In this episode, FSA speaks with Ben Bawden, who previews the keys issues confronting the 118 th Congress.  Ben is a partner at Brooks Bawden & Moore and represents Major County Sheriffs of America at the federal level. Ben highlights many of the important public safety issues that will be debated over the next year in our nation's Capitol and gives us a firsthand account of advocacy work he does...

In this episode, FSA speaks with the president of Major County Sheriffs of America, Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma at the conclusion of their successful winter conference in Washington, D.C.  Sheriff Lemma talks about all the big issues that were covered as well as gives a summary of the remarks made by the Director of the FBI, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and many more i...

In this episode, FSA speaks with author Rafael Mangual about his new book, Criminal (In)Justice: What the Push for Decarceration and Depolicing Gets Wrong and Who It Hurts Most.  Rafael addressed the sheriffs during their winter conference, and in this interview he expands on his discussion of what his research has found to be most effective in reducing violent crime in our communities. He also ma...

In this episode, FSA speaks with Franklin County Sheriff A.J. Smith about the various public safety initiatives he has going in his county. Florida's drug epidemic has been devasting to so many families, and Sheriff Smith has taken a balanced approach of addressing both the supply and demand of drugs. By supporting substance abuse treatment, Sheriff Smith has been able to address the demand side w...

In this episode, FSA speaks with Rachel Joy Baribeau on the power to change the narrative and find purpose in life. Rachel was a sportscaster for 17 years, before developing #ImChangingtheNarrative with student-athletes in mind.  It is Rachel's belief that one crooked course made straight is everything. One misstep not taken means one fewer victim in the world. And one fewer life thrown away becau...

In this episode, FSA speaks with Rich Diviney, a bestselling author, leadership and human performance expert, and a retired Navy SEAL commander. As the officer in charge of training for a specialized SEAL command, Rich spearheaded the creation of the first-ever "Mind Gym." The Mind Gym focuses on physical, mental and emotional disciplines so that special operators can train their brains to perform...

In this episode, FSA speaks with retired FBI Special Agent George Piro about his time interrogating Iraqi Dictator Saddam Hussein. In 2004, George had been with the FBI for only five years before getting this assignment. But because of his ability to speak Arabic and his calm and contemplative demeanor, George was the perfect team leader to find out how far Saddam's atrocities had reached througho...

In this episode, FSA speaks with Senate President Wilton Simpson after he received the Florida Sheriffs Association's President's Award at their Executive Leadership Conference in Miami. President Simpson spoke about the numerous public safety bills that passed during the last two years and why supporting sheriffs and law and order is just common sense to him.  President Simpson also highlighted w...

In this episode, FSA speaks with Gordon Graham during the 2022 Florida Sheriffs Association's Summer Conference. Gordon has been actively involved in law enforcement since 1973. While serving as a field sergeant with the California Highway Patrol, he started to combine his legal education and experience with his graduate education in risk management to develop processes designed to improve the qua...

In this episode, FSA speaks with Matt Griffin about the importance of deputy wellness. September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and it is vital that first responders take the time to become more aware of their own mental health. Matt speaks about his own journey and how he almost lost his life to suicide. His book, The Journey to Midnight , is a roadmap that accurately describes t...

In this episode, FSA shares the remarks U.S. Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina provided to sheriffs at their summer conference in Kissimmee.  Sen. Scott received FSA's National Legislative Champion Award for his work on sound public safety and police reform legislation during the 117th session of Congress.  Sen. Scott talked to the sheriffs about his message of hope and opportunity for our natio...

In this episode, FSA speaks with Dr. Charlie Scheer during the 2022 Major County Sheriffs of America Summer Conference.  Dr. Scheer is an assistant professor of criminal justice at The University of Southern Mississippi. His research focuses on police workforce management, training and police legitimacy. He has published research on police recruitment and retention strategies, and we discuss his r...