New candidate for Sheriff

[Unregistered]

Looks like someone else has entered the Sheriffs race. This should be interesting.

[Unregistered]

Who is running? Seems like a terrible idea.

[Spike Hopkins]

It's me, Spike Hopkins. I am running for Sheriff in Seminole County. I have a lot of great ideas that I want to share with all of you. In a day or so I will be posting what my ideas are for the women and men of the Seminole County Sheriff's Office.

[Unregistered]

Awesome. Can’t wait to hear them

[Unregistered]

blah blah blah... Here comes the promises of more money, more benefits, and everything else to sell us on this guy. This was his MO when he lost in OC. We're good with the Sheriff we've got now. Thanks but no thanks

[Spike Hopkins]

Thanks for not even giving me a chance. Did you ask any OCSO deputies about me? Don't be so negative until you hear me out. Then, if you have any questions, just ask. I won't judge you, especially since I know nothing about you.

[Unregistered]

blah blah blah... Here comes the promises of more money, more benefits, and everything else to sell us on this guy. This was his MO when he lost in OC. We're good with the Sheriff we've got now. Thanks but no thanks

*you’re good with the Sheriff *you’ve got.

Don’t be a ****- opposition is part of the democratic process. It’s not about what we the deputies want- it’s about what the Seminole county voters want. Campaign for sheriff lemma if you want but have some class and show just a bit of courtesy to let the man be heard.

[Unregistered]

Thanks for not even giving me a chance. Did you ask any OCSO deputies about me? Don't be so negative until you hear me out. Then, if you have any questions, just ask. I won't judge you, especially since I know nothing about you.

I was begging for someone to run against our current sheriff. I am happy to see your name pop up. The majority of people in this agency are desperate to see the stagnated leadership change. I am one of many who are looking forward to hearing what your priorities will be.

[Unregistered]

*you’re good with the Sheriff *you’ve got.

Don’t be a ****- opposition is part of the democratic process. It’s not about what we the deputies want- it’s about what the Seminole county voters want. Campaign for sheriff lemma if you want but have some class and show just a bit of courtesy to let the man be heard.

I agree with you. It is about what the voters want, so why go to a site known mostly for negativity to tell the women and men of the Seminole County Sheriff's Office what you are going to do for them. Get off here and go tell the voters what you are going to do for them that the current Sheriff is not. This will do nothing but divide the women and men of the Seminole County Sheriff's Office.

[Unregistered]

All I need to know is you align yourself with a certain ideology when you choose to affiliate with that party. Socialism, big government, anti-gun, pro-abortion, and as of late, proven to be very anti-leo. If you're none of those things, then you're not a Dem, and shouldn't be running as one (kind of a Charlie Crist, don't know what you are so I'll be what is expedient for me at the time). Enough of that in Central Florida as it is now, and don't need it in power in Seminole County. Keep it in the ruined cities of Tampa, Jax, Miami and Orlando and out of my home town.

[Unregistered]

All I need to know is you align yourself with a certain ideology when you choose to affiliate with that party. Socialism, big government, anti-gun, pro-abortion, and as of late, proven to be very anti-leo. If you're none of those things, then you're not a Dem, and shouldn't be running as one (kind of a Charlie Crist, don't know what you are so I'll be what is expedient for me at the time). Enough of that in Central Florida as it is now, and don't need it in power in Seminole County. Keep it in the ruined cities of Tampa, Jax, Miami and Orlando and out of my home town.

Pro open borders, shoved universal healthcare down our throats, higher taxes but cut military spending, pro government handouts and welfare, early release for prisoners, legalize drugs, de-fund police, give felons rights back to gain more votes....and on, and on. Can't vote that way in any race. Different set of values and beliefs than mine; can't in good conscience vote into power those who think that way.

[Unregistered]

Problem is Spike is running as a Democrat, Seminole County is a very Republican County. Spike maybe you shouldn't have sold out your party just to get votes in Orange County. Now that did work for you, you want to come over to Seminole. Please stay on your side of the County line and bring all you pandering ideas to the people of Orange County.

[Unregistered]

Clearly you did not check the 2018 results. Seminole is a BLUE county. Check your facts. No longer republican.

[Unregistered]

Mr spike I’d love to hear your ideas and what you’d like to accomplish.

Obviously you’ve probably read a bunch of the posts on the multiple threads here. If you haven’t, please do so. You’ll see countless times of our lack of leadership and unaccountability.

No doubt you’ll be challenged with how our “crime stats” are at all time lows. It’s not rocket science that with covid issues and our lack of any proactivity during that time we obviously had lower crime stats.

We are ready to drain our swamp. We’ve become more worried about our image as well as quantity over quality. I mean why else would retain a trainee that had multiple fto’s say he’s not fit for duty and we pass him through anyways? Or why hasn’t our dream team training division not given us any crowd control training since the GZ trial we had years ago? Or maybe it’s why our srd division has more vacancies than any other division and yet no one asks why?

There’s no more party lines it’s all about what “they” can do to further “their” careers.

There’s been several things that have been changed agency wide because of things that have been posted to this forum. It’s sad that we have to voice our concerns here because our supervisors are incompetent, have no experience, constantly shut our ideas down and only drink the kool aid to move up.

Talk to the boots on the ground not the ones that are trying to protect their jobs.

[Unregistered]

Clearly you did not check the 2018 results. Seminole is a BLUE county. Check your facts. No longer republican.

Nope big guy..

https://www.bestplaces.net/voting/county/florida/seminole


Still Republican, while yes def loosing its sway towards the GOP..

[Spike Hopkins]

I only have a minute so I'll be quick. For those who care, the Democrats in Seminole County are 1,200 behind the Republicans. There are 90,000 NPAs. I'm not red or blue, I am GREEN all the way. I am one of you. The Florida supreme Court ruled the sheriff election has to be partisan.

On a lighter note I had a great conversation with Dennis Lemma about our campaigns. Our campaigns are about what we can do for the residents of Seminole County and not a smear campaign.

I believe that you have to take care of your employees because they are the ones who take care of the you and the community in the end. I'm not saying cover up for bad employees. But show appreciation to the hard working employees and treat them the way they deserve to be treated. Also, someone who will stand up for them.

I want to thank all of you, even the ones who are showing negativity towards me, that I truly appreciate the thankless job you do day in and day out risking your life for our community.

[Unregistered]

I heard a rumor Spike was running for Sheriff in Seminole, now confirmed.

Spike was the best watch commander and Tac Lt Orange County produced. He was always willing to lend a hand when needed but would call you out when you were being a bonehead. He led by example and had a vision to make the agency better. Let the man put forward his plan, meet with him and ask the hard questions. If you don't like the answer then don't vote for him, but i think he has a vision that will make SCSO better and ensure the safety of deputies and the public. As an outsider to SCSO, even I can tell that Dennis Lemma is not Don Eslinger and doesn't have a forward looking vision which has run off scores of deputies.

[Unregistered]

Spike, can you give us your thoughts or views on the current status of law enforcement throughout the nation? Mainly referring to all the defund police and BLM views/actions/suggestions. If you already answered this somewhere else, my apologies.

[Unregistered]

Spikes Law Enforcement Experience


A Proven Leader
30 years experience
Uniform Patrol/ Lieutenant
Undercover Narcotics Agent
Developed Bicycle Patrol
Community Oriented policing Squad
SWAT Team Member (13 years)
SWAT Team Assistant Team Leader (11 years)
Taser Task Force Member
FSU Certified Public Manager
FBI Leadership Academy Graduate
Court Expert in use of force and Taser


7 Years Night Watch Commander

Supervisor of over 400 personnel
TAC Unit Supervisor
Lieutenant Trainer
Tactical Anti Crime Unit

Criminal Investigations Division
Sex Crimes & Sex Offender Squad
Domestic Crimes Squad
Missing Persons Squad
Computer Crimes Squad
Organized Crime Squad
Economic Crimes Squad
Property Crimes Squad
Gang Suppression Squad
Problem Oriented Policing Squad
Juvenile Arrest Monitoring Squad

Award Winning Law Enforcement
Deputy of The Year
Combat Medal Recipient
Superior Evaluations
Sheriff's Citation
2 medals of Merit
Distinguished Service Award
Governor's Award for DUI Unit Citations

[Unregistered]

Long time Seminole road cop here.

Dennis Lemma 2020 all the way. He supports us and has our backs. The Sheriff has proven to have our best interests at heart and the changes and improvements he has recently made clearly shows that. He has my support and my vote 100%, and my family members will be voting for him too.

Look at what is happening to many of the deputies in Orange County...no thanks. I am friends with a few cops that left here to go down there and I have remained in touch with them, and believe me, it’s ugly. When they tell me “I wish I never left” pretty much every time we talk...that says something. People are getting in trouble down there for simply defending themselves and doing their jobs because it’s an election year for him. I’m not saying Spike is anything like him, but you never know when you bring in a new guy from that same agency.

I feel very fortunate our Sheriff is Dennis Lemma in these trying times we are facing. I am not afraid to do my job on the street and I am not afraid to voice concerns to him, as he is approachable and receptive to change and new ideas. I have gone to him with ideas several times over the many years I’ve worked here and it’s always been positive. I don’t believe the Sheriff is concerned with appeasing the masses for political gain. He is fair and impartial and gives us the benefit of the doubt as he understands the split second decisions we have to make out there sometimes. I cant say that is the case everywhere as we clearly are seeing this play out almost daily on the news.

I also agree with the earlier post. I will never align with anyone from the despicable Democratic Party which has recently shown it’s true colors and proven to be as anti-cop as any group on the planet. That being said, Spike doesn’t seem like a bad guy and he has the experience to lead, but I’ll stick with my guy who has proven himself and has the respect and an effective, open relationship with our community that has been built over the last few decades.

[Unregistered]

My concern is no real management experience and no budgeting experience. I’m sure he is probably a “cops cop” and a great guy but that’s a far cry from having real top level management ability and understanding the complex budgeting process.

Just my $.02

[Unregistered]

My concern is no real management experience and no budgeting experience. I’m sure he is probably a “cops cop” and a great guy but that’s a far cry from having real top level management ability and understanding the complex budgeting process.

Just my $.02

Leema didn't either, he was quickly shuffled through the Ranks and spent most of his time as Don's lap dog..

[Unregistered]

Long time Seminole road cop here.

Dennis Lemma 2020 all the way. He supports us and has our backs. The Sheriff has proven to have our best interests at heart and the changes and improvements he has recently made clearly shows that. He has my support and my vote 100%, and my family members will be voting for him too.

Look at what is happening to many of the deputies in Orange County...no thanks. I am friends with a few cops that left here to go down there and I have remained in touch with them, and believe me, it’s ugly. When they tell me “I wish I never left” pretty much every time we talk...that says something. People are getting in trouble down there for simply defending themselves and doing their jobs because it’s an election year for him. I’m not saying Spike is anything like him, but you never know when you bring in a new guy from that same agency.

I feel very fortunate our Sheriff is Dennis Lemma in these trying times we are facing. I am not afraid to do my job on the street and I am not afraid to voice concerns to him, as he is approachable and receptive to change and new ideas. I have gone to him with ideas several times over the many years I’ve worked here and it’s always been positive. I don’t believe the Sheriff is concerned with appeasing the masses for political gain. He is fair and impartial and gives us the benefit of the doubt as he understands the split second decisions we have to make out there sometimes. I cant say that is the case everywhere as we clearly are seeing this play out almost daily on the news.

I also agree with the earlier post. I will never align with anyone from the despicable Democratic Party which has recently shown it’s true colors and proven to be as anti-cop as any group on the planet. That being said, Spike doesn’t seem like a bad guy and he has the experience to lead, but I’ll stick with my guy who has proven himself and has the respect and an effective, open relationship with our community that has been built over the last few decades.

So whats your RANK here? Because we both know you aren't a road deputy for 20 years. This agency has gone to shit under Leema. This is not the same SCSO it was 20 years so and you can't deny that.

[Unregistered]

********Lemma******** Sorry didnt catch the auto-word change.. But the rest of message holds true. But Seminole desperately needs is a new Sheriff from the outside that nobody at the has or did dirt with. This way we can get ride of all teh back door favor handing deals.. First step the entire 2nd floor gets replaced. That would be a good start. SCSO NEVER had the turn over it has today nor did people leave in the numbers they are today to go to other agencies.

[Spike Hopkins]

To the women and men of the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office; My name is Spike Hopkins and I would like to introduce myself and let you know why I’m running for sheriff of Seminole County.
I know several of you are concerned I am running as a democrat. I am a cop, not a politician. I will fight any defunding of the SCSO. I also fully support your second amendment rights. I believe the sheriff should be a non-partisan position. Talk to any SCSO or OCSO deputies you know, and ask what kind of a leader I am.

During my career at the OCSO I tested and became a Deputy First Class, Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant and commander. I always remembered I was a deputy sheriff first, and my rank second.
I started the agency's bicycle patrol program, in-car computer system and TASER program.
I’ve worked in patrol, narcotics, COPs, Problem Orientated Policing, TAC, SWAT, CID to name a few positions. I enjoyed being the night watch commander since this is the highest rank you can obtain within the agency and still do police work. Even as the watch commander,I answered calls for service, conducted traffic stops and made arrests. I loved being a cop my entire career. I want you to come to work looking forward to being part of the BIG GREEN MACHINE.

As your sheriff, I have several goals within the agency.
Competitive pay and benefits with surrounding agencies (Orlando Police/Orange County SO) We can't afford to lose more trained Seminole deputies.
Provide the best equipment for your safety. (ballistic helmets, rifle resistant plates for active shooters etc.)
I am all for the deputies, corrections and civilians to unionize. (binding arbitration)
I would like to create the rank of corporal.
I will ask other agencies to allow SCSO deputies to work off duty in their jurisdictions.
I would like a committee to research and recommend a more functional uniform for our deputies. (to include detention deputies)
I want to readdress the grooming standards for deputies/detention..
.
I am big on physical and mental fitness. I want to implement a VOLUNTARY physical fitness program with compensatory time as a reward for all employees.I want all our employees to have access to a top of the line physical fitness facility.
I want to up the training for our personnel. The more you sweat in training, the less you bleed on the streets.
I believe our civilian and volunteer employees are the unsung heroes of our agency and will be treated as such.
The communications center personnel have a high stress job and do not need additional stress from within.. I also believe comm. center personnel should fall under the special/high risk category for state retirement.
I believe in “blind promotions.” This is where the top candidates will be promoted based on testing performance, not by being part of the “good ole boy club.” Testing for each rank will contain a knowledge portion, a practical examination and peer evaluations. I don’t want supervisors, I want leaders. No more lead by intimidation.
I will implement a way all employees can make recommendations on how we can work smarter, not harder.
Stats are important but when stat collecting is taking up patrol time, we’re not giving the residents what they deserve.
Patrol is the backbone of the agency. I believe we need more deputies on the streets.
I have no plans of bringing in outside personnel to be a part of my command staff. There are enough qualified employees in the SCSO who can fill these positions.
I will wear the same uniform our deputies wear and will wear this to work everyday.
I will expect the employees to act professionally and I will back you up when you do. I will not allow the deputies to be punching bags.
I will be out on patrol a few times a month.
My command staff will be expected to go out on patrol at least once a month. (How can we make decisions on how you do your job if we sit behind a desk in an office all day)
These are just a few of my promises to you. I know some employees are concerned about public involvement in a sheriff's campaign. You have friends and family who can help. If you want to see this happen, I need your help in getting the word out and donations. Without either, this is just a dream, let’s make it a reality!
If you do want to help, I will ask you to do this in a professional way. I have nothing personal against DennisLema. I will not have a campaign of trashing him or looking for “dirt” on him. My campaign about my experience and leadership skills to make Seminole County and the SCSO a better place. I don't like back stabbers, butt kissers or micro managers.

If you like what I will offer, please go to www.SpikeForSeminoleSheriff.com and read more. Donations can be made on this web site with PayPal. The campaign address is on the web site in case someone wats to send a check. I cannot do this alone. In order to make this positive change for the SCSO, I need donations so I can get my message out. If you can’t donate, get your friends, family and neighbors to do so. The same goes for yard signs and bumper stickers. If you have any questions, please e-mail me. SpikeForSheriff@gmail.com


I’m know some people will troll the message board and don’t agree with me. That’s ok. Ask yourself this, are you happy with what you have now? You have a unique opportunity to make this change. It’s funny, someone on this message board told me the LEO affairs is airing negativity. I hope to change this! Be safe! I am not here to divide you, I want to bring you together.


Spike Hopkins

[Unregistered]

To the women and men of the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office; My name is Spike Hopkins and I would like to introduce myself and let you know why I’m running for sheriff of Seminole County.
I know several of you are concerned I am running as a democrat. I am a cop, not a politician. I will fight any defunding of the SCSO. I also fully support your second amendment rights. I believe the sheriff should be a non-partisan position. Talk to any SCSO or OCSO deputies you know, and ask what kind of a leader I am.

During my career at the OCSO I tested and became a Deputy First Class, Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant and commander. I always remembered I was a deputy sheriff first, and my rank second.
I started the agency's bicycle patrol program, in-car computer system and TASER program.
I’ve worked in patrol, narcotics, COPs, Problem Orientated Policing, TAC, SWAT, CID to name a few positions. I enjoyed being the night watch commander since this is the highest rank you can obtain within the agency and still do police work. Even as the watch commander,I answered calls for service, conducted traffic stops and made arrests. I loved being a cop my entire career. I want you to come to work looking forward to being part of the BIG GREEN MACHINE.

As your sheriff, I have several goals within the agency.
Competitive pay and benefits with surrounding agencies (Orlando Police/Orange County SO) We can't afford to lose more trained Seminole deputies.
Provide the best equipment for your safety. (ballistic helmets, rifle resistant plates for active shooters etc.)
I am all for the deputies, corrections and civilians to unionize. (binding arbitration)
I would like to create the rank of corporal.
I will ask other agencies to allow SCSO deputies to work off duty in their jurisdictions.
I would like a committee to research and recommend a more functional uniform for our deputies. (to include detention deputies)
I want to readdress the grooming standards for deputies/detention..
.
I am big on physical and mental fitness. I want to implement a VOLUNTARY physical fitness program with compensatory time as a reward for all employees.I want all our employees to have access to a top of the line physical fitness facility.
I want to up the training for our personnel. The more you sweat in training, the less you bleed on the streets.
I believe our civilian and volunteer employees are the unsung heroes of our agency and will be treated as such.
The communications center personnel have a high stress job and do not need additional stress from within.. I also believe comm. center personnel should fall under the special/high risk category for state retirement.
I believe in “blind promotions.” This is where the top candidates will be promoted based on testing performance, not by being part of the “good ole boy club.” Testing for each rank will contain a knowledge portion, a practical examination and peer evaluations. I don’t want supervisors, I want leaders. No more lead by intimidation.
I will implement a way all employees can make recommendations on how we can work smarter, not harder.
Stats are important but when stat collecting is taking up patrol time, we’re not giving the residents what they deserve.
Patrol is the backbone of the agency. I believe we need more deputies on the streets.
I have no plans of bringing in outside personnel to be a part of my command staff. There are enough qualified employees in the SCSO who can fill these positions.
I will wear the same uniform our deputies wear and will wear this to work everyday.
I will expect the employees to act professionally and I will back you up when you do. I will not allow the deputies to be punching bags.
I will be out on patrol a few times a month.
My command staff will be expected to go out on patrol at least once a month. (How can we make decisions on how you do your job if we sit behind a desk in an office all day)
These are just a few of my promises to you. I know some employees are concerned about public involvement in a sheriff's campaign. You have friends and family who can help. If you want to see this happen, I need your help in getting the word out and donations. Without either, this is just a dream, let’s make it a reality!
If you do want to help, I will ask you to do this in a professional way. I have nothing personal against DennisLema. I will not have a campaign of trashing him or looking for “dirt” on him. My campaign about my experience and leadership skills to make Seminole County and the SCSO a better place. I don't like back stabbers, butt kissers or micro managers.

If you like what I will offer, please go to www.SpikeForSeminoleSheriff.com and read more. Donations can be made on this web site with PayPal. The campaign address is on the web site in case someone wats to send a check. I cannot do this alone. In order to make this positive change for the SCSO, I need donations so I can get my message out. If you can’t donate, get your friends, family and neighbors to do so. The same goes for yard signs and bumper stickers. If you have any questions, please e-mail me. SpikeForSheriff@gmail.com


I’m know some people will troll the message board and don’t agree with me. That’s ok. Ask yourself this, are you happy with what you have now? You have a unique opportunity to make this change. It’s funny, someone on this message board told me the LEO affairs is airing negativity. I hope to change this! Be safe! I am not here to divide you, I want to bring you together.


Spike Hopkins

I wish I could have afforded to live and work in Seminole. Then I could help elect a really leader as my boss/Sheriff.

[Unregistered]

To the women and men of the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office; My name is Spike Hopkins and I would like to introduce myself and let you know why I’m running for sheriff of Seminole County.
I know several of you are concerned I am running as a democrat. I am a cop, not a politician. I will fight any defunding of the SCSO. I also fully support your second amendment rights. I believe the sheriff should be a non-partisan position. Talk to any SCSO or OCSO deputies you know, and ask what kind of a leader I am.

During my career at the OCSO I tested and became a Deputy First Class, Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant and commander. I always remembered I was a deputy sheriff first, and my rank second.
I started the agency's bicycle patrol program, in-car computer system and TASER program.
I’ve worked in patrol, narcotics, COPs, Problem Orientated Policing, TAC, SWAT, CID to name a few positions. I enjoyed being the night watch commander since this is the highest rank you can obtain within the agency and still do police work. Even as the watch commander,I answered calls for service, conducted traffic stops and made arrests. I loved being a cop my entire career. I want you to come to work looking forward to being part of the BIG GREEN MACHINE.

As your sheriff, I have several goals within the agency.
Competitive pay and benefits with surrounding agencies (Orlando Police/Orange County SO) We can't afford to lose more trained Seminole deputies.
Provide the best equipment for your safety. (ballistic helmets, rifle resistant plates for active shooters etc.)
I am all for the deputies, corrections and civilians to unionize. (binding arbitration)
I would like to create the rank of corporal.
I will ask other agencies to allow SCSO deputies to work off duty in their jurisdictions.
I would like a committee to research and recommend a more functional uniform for our deputies. (to include detention deputies)
I want to readdress the grooming standards for deputies/detention..
.
I am big on physical and mental fitness. I want to implement a VOLUNTARY physical fitness program with compensatory time as a reward for all employees.I want all our employees to have access to a top of the line physical fitness facility.
I want to up the training for our personnel. The more you sweat in training, the less you bleed on the streets.
I believe our civilian and volunteer employees are the unsung heroes of our agency and will be treated as such.
The communications center personnel have a high stress job and do not need additional stress from within.. I also believe comm. center personnel should fall under the special/high risk category for state retirement.
I believe in “blind promotions.” This is where the top candidates will be promoted based on testing performance, not by being part of the “good ole boy club.” Testing for each rank will contain a knowledge portion, a practical examination and peer evaluations. I don’t want supervisors, I want leaders. No more lead by intimidation.
I will implement a way all employees can make recommendations on how we can work smarter, not harder.
Stats are important but when stat collecting is taking up patrol time, we’re not giving the residents what they deserve.
Patrol is the backbone of the agency. I believe we need more deputies on the streets.
I have no plans of bringing in outside personnel to be a part of my command staff. There are enough qualified employees in the SCSO who can fill these positions.
I will wear the same uniform our deputies wear and will wear this to work everyday.
I will expect the employees to act professionally and I will back you up when you do. I will not allow the deputies to be punching bags.
I will be out on patrol a few times a month.
My command staff will be expected to go out on patrol at least once a month. (How can we make decisions on how you do your job if we sit behind a desk in an office all day)
These are just a few of my promises to you. I know some employees are concerned about public involvement in a sheriff's campaign. You have friends and family who can help. If you want to see this happen, I need your help in getting the word out and donations. Without either, this is just a dream, let’s make it a reality!
If you do want to help, I will ask you to do this in a professional way. I have nothing personal against DennisLema. I will not have a campaign of trashing him or looking for “dirt” on him. My campaign about my experience and leadership skills to make Seminole County and the SCSO a better place. I don't like back stabbers, butt kissers or micro managers.

If you like what I will offer, please go to www.SpikeForSeminoleSheriff.com and read more. Donations can be made on this web site with PayPal. The campaign address is on the web site in case someone wats to send a check. I cannot do this alone. In order to make this positive change for the SCSO, I need donations so I can get my message out. If you can’t donate, get your friends, family and neighbors to do so. The same goes for yard signs and bumper stickers. If you have any questions, please e-mail me. SpikeForSheriff@gmail.com


I’m know some people will troll the message board and don’t agree with me. That’s ok. Ask yourself this, are you happy with what you have now? You have a unique opportunity to make this change. It’s funny, someone on this message board told me the LEO affairs is airing negativity. I hope to change this! Be safe! I am not here to divide you, I want to bring you together.


Spike Hopkins


SCSO employee here, you will have my vote.

[Unregistered]

I’m in, we need some change. Too many that are too cozy in their cush positions and forgot what it’s like to take any real enforcement action. But then again we are civilian heavy making sworn decisions. Someone asked about budget experience? Who cares?! He can hire someone to help with that. You don’t learn more than a few million dollar budget at the lieutenant level usually. How many pio’s, social media posters and lobbyists do we have now?

[Unregistered]

That’s funny. We’ve had more change based on posts to this forum. If that’s how we promote change, we definitely need change. With posts here and now a challenger to the election, be ware he’ll try to to take credit for all his “recent”changes.

[Unregistered]

blah blah blah... Here comes the promises of more money, more benefits, and everything else to sell us on this guy. This was his MO when he lost in OC. We're good with the Sheriff we've got now. Thanks but no thanks

Thanks but no thanks? blah blah blah, really? Good with what we have, lets take a look at what we have. We have a politician and a guy that thinks he is a thespian. This guy does not have an athentic bone in his body. As far as promises made and promises kept, remember this one, "I am not going to touch the current PTO system." One broken promise after another. It is one thing to scrutinize someone running for office but to fault them for broken promises and when the one you have currently does that on a regular basis seems a bit hypicritocal.

[Unregistered]

That’s awesome. How many times have we just moved problem people to other divisions? We just move a demotion person to the north region. We keep moving problems from place to place. Why can’t we address a problem for what it is? Probably why we can’t have a cop as the snp cap. When a preacher is the cap he’ll make spiritual decisions over legal decisions.

[Unregistered]

Thanks but no thanks? blah blah blah, really? Good with what we have, lets take a look at what we have. We have a politician and a guy that thinks he is a thespian. This guy does not have an athentic bone in his body. As far as promises made and promises kept, remember this one, "I am not going to touch the current PTO system." One broken promise after another. It is one thing to scrutinize someone running for office but to fault them for broken promises and when the one you have currently does that on a regular basis seems a bit hypicritocal.

I miss the old PTO system.

[Unregistered]

This is simply a values question. What about their values do you align with? I know, the political game says, address this quickly at a surface level, or dismiss it, and get back on message. I'd like the candidate to answer this honestly and thoroughly. I vote core values. If you align with their values, explain why. If you don't, explain why? How authentic are you going to be with us sir. I vote according to the values I believe in, and attempt to live accordingly. Why sir, are you a Democrat?

[Unregistered]

This is simply a values question. What about their values do you align with? I know, the political game says, address this quickly at a surface level, or dismiss it, and get back on message. I'd like the candidate to answer this honestly and thoroughly. I vote core values. If you align with their values, explain why. If you don't, explain why? How authentic are you going to be with us sir. I vote according to the values I believe in, and attempt to live accordingly. Why sir, are you a Democrat?

He knows he could not beat Lemma in a Republican Primary, so he changed parties, in the hopes that Democrats who do not do their research on him will vote for him. Ask yourself why the Seminole Democratic Party doesn't list him as a current candidate on their website. See for yourself:

https://semdems.com/candidates/

[Spike Hopkins]

Sorry for the delay but this is the response for the latest post and the other post about me being a Democrat.

First, please visit my web site https://spikeforseminolesheriff.com/spikes-plan-for-citizens-1 This will address what my values are. I am sure you posed the same question to Dennis Lemma about him being a Republican. I'm eager to hear what he told you.

I am not a politician and I do not agree with the sheriff's race being partisan, but it is.

A few years ago, I changed to the Democratic party. I had no plans on running for sheriff. I was living comfortably on my OCSO retirement. It was not until I was approached by several SCSO deputies and noticed the SCSO was not prepared for 21st century policing. I could not let Seminole County turn into Orange County.

If you noticed, I did not qualify until late in the race. This actually put me behind the 8 ball for a campaign.

So, assuming things without asking is unwarranted.

I can't answer any questions about the SEMDEMs web site. Right now, I'm concerned about getting my message out to the voters. I am honored that so many Democrats, Republican and NPA voters have already given me their support.

I am sure some of these questions come from command staff personnel who are afraid they will not live up to my values in leadership when I become sheriff.

For the SCSO personnel, please go to https://spikeforseminolesheriff.com/plan-for-scso-employees Here I explain my plans for you.

Thank you for doing this thank less job.

Stay safe,

Spike

[Unregistered]

A Charlie Crist that wont espouse what he truly believes and a party change for convenience. What his values are that he would align himself with the Democrats is still a mystery. No surprise. A surface answer and back on message as predicted. It is to laugh. But it certainly isn't funny. BTW I've heard Sheriff Lemma answer that question before, and he knows what he believes in. And lastly, I'm just a nobody. A voter.

[Unregistered]

A Charlie Crist that wont espouse what he truly believes and a party change for convenience. What his values are that he would align himself with the Democrats is still a mystery. No surprise. A surface answer and back on message as predicted. It is to laugh. But it certainly isn't funny. BTW I've heard Sheriff Lemma answer that question before, and he knows what he believes in. And lastly, I'm just a nobody. A voter.

Keep drinking you Lemma koolaide. He has run SCSO into the ground, the turn over to other agencies like never before. Yes unfortunately for Spike the Republicans in Seminole are not going to endorse two candidates. Spike has been a real cop with an actual career. Lemma was never a real cop going all the way back his early days of getting CPS investigators to write his reports and then he quickly became Don's Lap Dog.

[Unregistered]

Keep em south of our border.

[Spike Hopkins]

Have you ever thought about picking the most qualified person for the job? Have you ever questioned how a person on your agency got promoted when you know they were not qualified? Whats the difference? I bet you have coworkers, friends and family members who are Democrats but you don't know it. How about judging a person for who they are, not a label.

I would only hope you do you research on all the candidates. If you don't like what I have to offer, I can appreciate that. But at least you did your research.

[I’m voting blue]

Of course we pick the best! Why else do we have a SGT vacancy and we haven’t promoted to fill it? Nobody cares about our family. Employees are not the greatest resource. Do you know what is important though? Opioids and how many presentations we can give about our epidemic. Very interesting that no one addresses all of our vacancies and turnover. What do some of the authors in the leadership library say? Who cares we are militaristic and have high turnover! Never mind the lack of leadership and accountability.

[Unregistered]

Still no idea why he changed to Democrat. C'mon give us some insight. What's the big secret? You want trust? Transparency is necessary. There may be folks that will vote anybody but Lemma, but that has seldom if ever won a major election especially with the endorsements and public support this incumbent has. Can't tell us honestly why you think being a Democrat is a good thing? Where do you fall on gun control? Abortion? Higher taxes to pay for your plan? Additional sales tax? Higher property taxes? How are you going to pay for your expensive ideas? Where do you fall on immigration? How about more federal government control in the States? Are you for big government? Universal healthcare? Welfare programs? C'mon man. What was the catalyst for you flipping to the party of legalizing drugs, early release for prisoners, and mail in voting. If not any of these then what liberal garbage did you buy into to make you support them? Hiding the truthful detailed will not garner widespread trust, only suspicion.

[Spike Hopkins]

Like they say on the TV game show, this is my final answer. Reading this last post, the majority of your questions are geared towards somebody who is a politician. A lot of these questions have absolutely nothing to do with how the sheriff runs his or her office. Just to remind everyone, I'm not a politician I am a career long cop

With that being said, did you not go to my website and read my plan? You ask where all this money is coming from for my projects and you talk about raising taxes. Look at the tens of millions of dollars the current administration is wasting and not only having to hire, train and equip new deputies, but this year alone they have had to spend over $3 million in overtime. At this rate $6 million will go towards overtime because there is such a shortage of deputies on the road. My research shows that $3 million a year goes towards command staff pay.

What about only 5 deputies working the North Region? What about other agencies having to respond to calls for service in Seminole County because of the shortage?

I have answered all your questions honestly and to the best of my ability. Being a sheriff should be non-partisan and I will not interject my political affiliations into my work. That's why I am not concerned about any other campaign going on right now other than my own.

As a matter of fact, I only plan on voting for one person this year in the election, myself. I want to be neutral the entire way around.

You sound really bothered that I have a plan to not only help the citizens of Seminole County, the employees of the sheriff's office, and actually put more deputies on the street while saving money.

Stay safe,

Spike

[Spike Hopkins]

Like they say on the TV game show, this is my final answer. Reading this last post, the majority of your questions are geared towards somebody who is a politician. A lot of these questions have absolutely nothing to do with how the sheriff runs his or her office. Just to remind everyone, I'm not a politician I am a career long cop

With that being said, did you not go to my website and read my plan? You ask where all this money is coming from for my projects and you talk about raising taxes. Look at the tens of millions of dollars the current administration is wasting and not only having to hire, train and equip new deputies, but this year alone they have had to spend over $3 million in overtime. At this rate $6 million will go towards overtime because there is such a shortage of deputies on the road. My research shows that $3 million a year goes towards command staff pay.

What are your thoughts on the North region only having 5 deputies working? What about the fact of other agencies having to respond to calls for service in Seminole County because there's not a deputy closer?

I have answered all your questions honestly and to the best of my ability. Being a sheriff should be non-partisan and I will not interject my political affiliations into my work. That's why I am not concerned about any other campaign going on right now other than my own.

As a matter of fact, I only plan on voting for one person this year in the election, myself. I want to be neutral the entire way around.

You sound really bothered that I have a plan to not only help the citizens of Seminole County, the employees of the sheriff's office, and actually put more deputies on the street while saving money.

Stay safe,

Spike

[Unregistered]

Won't vote? Wow! I guess I'm done here.

[Unregistered]

Here I’ll explain why Spike can’t run as a Republican. The current sheriff has spent the past 3.5 years in office honing is political skills and stacking up political favors. He’s already been chosen by the Republican powers that be to run as their candidate regardless of the current sad state of affairs within the agency. What do you think he’s been doing with that “80% of his time” (his words not mine) spent on matters relating to things outside of the agency? You guys go ahead and re-elect him so he can leave this dumpster fire behind and move on to bigger and better (political) things. That’s why he doesn’t wear his uniform for all you non-strategic thinking types. He doesn’t wanna be pigeonholed into being just a sheriff when the time comes for his next election and all the news has available is file footage of him in a class A. Probably why he doesn’t wear a tie either. Makes him look more like a practical manager than the head of a law enforcement agency. He’s probably a decent guy but it’s business and not personal with him. That’s politics, not public service.

[Unregistered]

Keep thinking you can rotate scared 21 year old brand new deputies in and out of the agency every few years. It’s all fun and games until one of them is forced into a sh*t sandwich and takes a big bite for all the world to see. This is a completely different world from the good old days of SCSO when we could just shrug off all the crazy stuff because it never happens here. Conducting business as usual and keeping our fingers crossed ain’t gonna cut it anymore. Rehab centers might make people feel all warm and fuzzy now, but give those same folks a reason and they’ll be out there in a heartbeat throwing rocks and bottles at the comfort K-9s deployed to “help with the healing” at the next protest. Nothing is more important than personnel in law enforcement. All our goodwill and good press is gone in the blink of an eye if just 1 deputy screws the pooch. Staffing seems like no big deal when you’re in a specialized unit or wearing a gold star. But if the thought of an entire shift working overnights with a half dozen years of patrol experience combined and the potential results of an ill advised decision by just 1 deputy brought upon by that lack of experience doesn’t give you a sick feeling in your stomach, then it’s time to clean out your office and cash out your PTO.

[Unregistered]

Here I’ll explain why Spike can’t run as a Republican. The current sheriff has spent the past 3.5 years in office honing is political skills and stacking up political favors. He’s already been chosen by the Republican powers that be to run as their candidate regardless of the current sad state of affairs within the agency. What do you think he’s been doing with that “80% of his time” (his words not mine) spent on matters relating to things outside of the agency? You guys go ahead and re-elect him so he can leave this dumpster fire behind and move on to bigger and better (political) things. That’s why he doesn’t wear his uniform for all you non-strategic thinking types. He doesn’t wanna be pigeonholed into being just a sheriff when the time comes for his next election and all the news has available is file footage of him in a class A. Probably why he doesn’t wear a tie either. Makes him look more like a practical manager than the head of a law enforcement agency. He’s probably a decent guy but it’s business and not personal with him. That’s politics, not public service.

[Unregistered]

Since when do Sheriff’s deal with abortion, welfare, universal healthcare to name a few political agendas? Seriously read a book, and not the social media books. The leadership library has some great reads I’ve heard. Yet we don’t adhere to them! We aren’t proactive, but by golly I’m gonna enforce a mask ordinance and then cite people for being pro abortion? Who the heck cares about that!

Maybe you can answer the questions that were posed by Spike? Where do you stand and how can you explain our turnover and lack of leadership? Please tell us your qualifications and background and your stance on the issues posed. I’m believing that there is indeed a method to his strategy. He’s very transparent based on the extensive amount of information on his website. There are plenty of non employees that are finding his information informative too.

[Ed McDonough]

For all of you people who are posting negative opinions on Spike Hopkins, I have one question. Why aren't you signing your name to your posts? If you are going to criticize the man then at least have the guts to identify yourselves. When I wrote negatively about Dennis Lemma months ago, I signed my name. Why don' t you do the same?

[Unregistered]

All over the country right now cities are on fire due to failed liberal policies. LEO's are in more danger there; and many have been murdered. Putting any Democrat in office is a dangerous gamble. That's why it matters why and what a candidate thinks about the usual democrat platforms. Hard to trust after seeing what they've done and continue to do to our nation. Harder to trust someone who hides their true feelings on issues that gives us some insight on how he views our country; how he processes information, and justifies any support to some screwed up thinking that has led to the disasters our country is experiencing right now. That's why the questions on National issues; Insight into thought processes and values. A Sheriff in Florida has a lot of power and influence. We must be cautious on who we give that to.

[Unregistered]

[My retirementQUOTE=Ed McDonough;3171754]For all of you people who are posting negative opinions on Spike Hopkins, I have one question. Why aren't you signing your name to your posts? If you are going to criticize the man then at least have the guts to identify yourselves. When I wrote negatively about Dennis Lemma months ago, I signed my name. Why don' t you do the same?[/QUOTE]

My retirement isn't banked yet.

[Unregistered]

[My retirementQUOTE=Ed McDonough;3171754]For all of you people who are posting negative opinions on Spike Hopkins, I have one question. Why aren't you signing your name to your posts? If you are going to criticize the man then at least have the guts to identify yourselves. When I wrote negatively about Dennis Lemma months ago, I signed my name. Why don' t you do the same?

My retirement isn't banked yet.[/QUOTE]


Knowing Ed, I believe he would have still signed his name if he wasn't retired. Ed, I don't think a lot of of us scared, if you will, to sign our name, but we don't want to deal with the bullshit that comes with it. I might be wrong....

[Unregistered]

For all of you people who are posting negative opinions on Spike Hopkins, I have one question. Why aren't you signing your name to your posts? If you are going to criticize the man then at least have the guts to identify yourselves. When I wrote negatively about Dennis Lemma months ago, I signed my name. Why don' t you do the same?

Seriously Ed? It's a hell of a lot easier to have an opinion once you are gone. You know, no matter how it is spun, there are repercussions for coming on here and spouting what we believe. Your future is secure, not so for the vast majority posting on here and I am not just talking about at the agency. Look around you Ed, I wouldn't sign my name as an LEO anywhere right now. This forum is a place for us to vent and talk and ***** and moan without fear of it getting back and hurting us. You don't like Lemma, fine, campaign for Spike and do your best to see him elected. What you don't get to do is question or browbeat us when we come on here and give our 2 cents. Out opinions matter just as much as yours and we have every right to remain anonymous if we choose. We also have a right to call out Spike when he dances around an answer and never really answers it. Why Democrat? Because he did not have a prayer of beating Lemma as a Republican. I know Spike and respect the man, but I would have had much more respect had he faced Lemma in a primary as the candidate he professes to be. Was it a good move, probably. He is pandering to a base that will undoubtedly vote the party line, as they have always done. And remember, he came here and reached out to us, not the other way around. Be careful what you ask for.

[Unregistered]

Leadership quote

“A great leader cannot be Democratic. A great leader cannot be Republican. A great leader must be Republicratic.” Ok I made that up.

Seriously we are debating political stances? This isn’t a governor or other type election. I have no earthly idea what our current administration or even any of my colleagues feel about abortion, free healthcare, gun control or any of that other crap that was being argued. As a thinker and watcher I am certain that our organization is chock full of both political parties.

As a law enforcement agency employee I’ve never once used my political belief as basis for any decision when taking action in any kind of capacity.

If you’re worried about someone being a Democrat, you should probably get the employment application updated to include that information so we can block people who don’t vote the same as you.

I’m still waiting to see a justification or rationalization of how it’s ok to lose that many people or waste that kind of money. I’m sure the GOP is drafting up an awesome campaign rebuttal. Maybe the snow cones will satisfy the voters.

[Ed McDonough]

The very fact that you do not sign your name because you are afraid of reprecussions tells me everything I need to know about the climate of fear that currently exists at the SCSO. You have a constitutional right to freedom of speech. Do not be afraid to exercise it. If Lemma does not like it that is his problem. I doubt he would fire for exercising your freedom of speech on a website. It is not like you are advocating violence like those protestors in NYC. Stand up and identify yourself. You will be a better man for it.

[Spike Hopkins]

In response to the last few messages.

I appreciate Ed sounding his opinion. I know he means well and wants "his" agency to shine though he is retired. I've know Ed many years, watching him on WESH 2 many years ago.

I do agree this forum is for anonymous posts. You would never get the truth, if a name was required. Some call this a gripe forum, and probably most posts, no matter what agency you're with, gripe about issues. I have seen other posts for other agencies asking about the agency as a possible new deputy/officer. Perhaps I'm in fantasy land, but would it not be nice for agency employees to be happy enough to write good things about being a SCSO employee? Don't we want to attract qualified, competent employees to work side by side with us?

About the politics. I like the post about the "Republicrat." This person is on point. I know some people are very loyal and dedicated to their party affiliation. But the bottom line is, who is the most competent to steer the ship. Doesn't it bother you when people are promoted within the agency who you know are not qualified? If they are the same political party as you does it make that promotion the right one?

Regarding the run against Dennis as a Republican. I have been registered as a Democrat for about 2 years. In order to run as a Republican, I would have had to change my party affiliation one year before the election. I had no political aspirations. Not until very recently did I decide to run for sheriff. I had been asked by several SCSO employees.
I also can see the SCSO is not prepared to handle what's about to hit them. With all this new growth, the mass exodus of deputies, the current administration will not be able to handle the influx of crime. Seminole County is very lucky the Covid has reduced the crime numbers. This will not last long. You have a shortage of deputies on the streets. The North Region sometimes has only 5 deputies 10-8. SCSO is calling other agencies to respond to their calls. The employees morale is at an all time low. These are the reasons I'm running for sheriff. It is a tactical disadvantage for me to get in the race so late in the cycle. I would have liked to have at least one year of campaigning.

Through my many years at the OCSO, I met so many SCSO employees. They always had good things to say about their agency and how they were allowed to do their job. That always stuck in my mind. In the last 3 1/2 years this has changed. I'm not trying to make the SCSO a mini-Orange County. You have your own identity, traditions and heroes. I want to become a part of this.

My reasons for changing my party are personal ones. Believing the sheriff should be non-partisan in all his/her decisions I choose not to talk about external politics.

I know I will not win the votes of some people. That's ok. Those are your freedoms and personal choices only offered in the USA.

My sincere goal here is to become the sheriff to provide the BEST law enforcement service to the citizens by the BEST law enforcement personnel.

[Unregistered]

What happened to the message entitled "our cities are on fire" that was posted after last night's discussions?

[Unregistered]

The very fact that you do not sign your name because you are afraid of reprecussions tells me everything I need to know about the climate of fear that currently exists at the SCSO. You have a constitutional right to freedom of speech. Do not be afraid to exercise it. If Lemma does not like it that is his problem. I doubt he would fire for exercising your freedom of speech on a website. It is not like you are advocating violence like those protestors in NYC. Stand up and identify yourself. You will be a better man for it.

There is a social media policy here just like in other places where posters have been fired. Whether or not he'd go that far is unknown. But discipline would be certain.

[Unregistered]

So you mention of transparency? Old Ed prob didn’t get the memo/email/twitter that 3 people were fired for talking about the administration.

We were all told that they would release the footage of why they were fired. Great. No speculation, no wondering. Direct answers and closure.

We were then told they wouldn’t release the footage. Hmmm. Transparency apparently occurred here.

Please explain the term transparency to me as I am completely discombobulated.

[Unregistered]

So you mention of transparency? Old Ed prob didn’t get the memo/email/twitter that 3 people were fired for talking about the administration.

We were all told that they would release the footage of why they were fired. Great. No speculation, no wondering. Direct answers and closure.

We were then told they wouldn’t release the footage. Hmmm. Transparency apparently occurred here.

Please explain the term transparency to me as I am completely discombobulated.

If you really want to know go file a public records request for the IA file for all three of them. It's all public records, don't complain when there is an option to get the information that you seem to be so nosey about.

[Unregistered]

If you really want to know go file a public records request for the IA file for all three of them. It's all public records, don't complain when there is an option to get the information that you seem to be so nosey about.

Yea that worked great for the Lt who wanted to see the IA involving a reinstated director. Option to do a public records request? Sure. Career builder?.... evaluating

[Unregistered]

Spike-

Can you address your view on command staff? You’ve said that you would not bring in outsiders and also that the command staff has grown too large. How would you structure your Executive staff and how would you select the individuals in these roles? Many will agree that the sheriff has the best of intentions but that the breakdown of communication between him and the troops has caused discord. The sheriff I believe has realized (But not corrected) this- evident that the proposal process now goes to him directly circumventing the chain of command immediately under him. If elected how would you avoid this- while potentially keeping a portion of the current command staff.

[Unregistered]

Yea that worked great for the Lt who wanted to see the IA involving a reinstated director. Option to do a public records request? Sure. Career builder?.... evaluating

Friend from outside the agency? Family someone not connected to you or the agency can make the request....

[Unregistered]

Spike, given the current climate, would you take a knee if asked to by the community?

[Unregistered]

Edward McDun-huh....sit down. This isn’t your ballpark anymore. You were a news guy, wanna be tough guy, ran your foul mouth to citizens in uniform before you “retired”.

You became a deputy because someone *cough* gave you a free pass in the academy and hired you because of *cough* “connections”.

Shut up.

Signed.

Not signing my name. Go be mad about that some more.

[Ed McDonough]

Since you did not sign your name, I do not know who you are. But the easiest way to find out about someone is to ask people who have worked with them. There are still a few left at the SCSO. See what they say.
I wasn't the greatest deputy who ever worked at the SCSO but I do not believe I was the worst either.
During my tenure, I made over 400 arrests and was decorated twice by Sheriff Eslinger. The first award was the Sheriff's Office Commendation for disarming a suspect armed with two knives and a 2 by 4. The second commendation was the Sheriff'Office Lifesaving Award for preventing a woman from committing suicide by slashing herself with a razor while locked inside her car.
As for the Academy, I started at the Academy when I was 49 years old which is a time when most LEO's are ending their careers not starting them. Nobody gave me a free pass since I had to meet the same standards as everyone else in the class...most of whom were young enough to be my son or daughter. When I graduated, I had already turned 50. I retired when I was 62 years old which I believe made me one of the oldest active duty deputies in the SCSO. I know I was the oldest deputy still working on the road at that time.
So if you think I had it easy, you are wrong but like I said...ask some of the people who worked with me. Let them be the judge.

[Spike Hopkins]

Spike-

Can you address your view on command staff? You’ve said that you would not bring in outsiders and also that the command staff has grown too large. How would you structure your Executive staff and how would you select the individuals in these roles? Many will agree that the sheriff has the best of intentions but that the breakdown of communication between him and the troops has caused discord. The sheriff I believe has realized (But not corrected) this- evident that the proposal process now goes to him directly circumventing the chain of command immediately under him. If elected how would you avoid this- while potentially keeping a portion of the current command staff.

I'm concerned about the 28 members of the command staff being too top heavy. I want to sit down with all divisions of the agency and brain storm how we can stream line this. My plan is not to come in and clean house. I want to sit down with each person, captain or civilian equivalent and above and have them explain their experience with the agency, what they have done and how they are a leader. I'm sure some people will retire upon my win. There are staff members who have a lot of experience and history with the agency. I want to keep the members who will help me move forward with making SCSO #1 again. I want anonymous peer reviews about the staff. The senior members of the agency know who the leaders are and who is never in the office collecting a paycheck. (This will not be a popularity contest)

Most importantly, like any good leader should do is talk to your subordinates and let them know what your expectations are. That way there is no misunderstanding. I also want open, two way, communication. One example is if they're is a policy change. Either I or a staff member will put out an e-mail explaining why the policy was changed. I always hated when I asked a supervisor why we did something a certain way they would tell me to not ask questions or I don't know. I especially hated hearing about new policies on the Orlando Sentinel.

I plan on meeting face to face with every employee in every unit and ask what we can do to make the agency better. This will be done without other staff member or lieutenants and above. (or civilian equivalent) I want this to be an open, candid conversation. If I like the idea and I approve it, I will notify my staff of this. You're not the first to tell me there is a communication gap between the sheriff, staff and troops. I don't know why there is a gap now. The bottom line is the sheriff tells you he's going to do something but hes not relaying this. It's a shame. I've known Dennis professionally and was happy when he became sheriff. I'm disappointed with his leadership plan running people off. I know you can't make everyone happy but it would kill me to know a majority of my employees are not happy with me. I will not tolerate a staff member going against my leadership and not honoring my decisions. I do what staff members who are not afraid to tell me an idea is not good, when discussing policy or agency issues. I don't want "yes" men or women.

As your sheriff, I promise not to get involved with projects outside the agency. SCSO will get a full time sheriff who only cares about keeping Seminole safe and leading the employees. My leading also means me being part of the team.

I know you have a group email for ideas to the sheriff. If a memo is sent to me via inter-office memo, with an idea or issue, I want a cover sheet for comments and signed by the chain-of-command. ALL memos sent to me will be delivered to me. You WILL receive a response to your memo. You mention some staff members do not adhere to the sheriff's decision. One issue is he has known these staff members for many years, working together and probably a friendship. I believe this keeps him from "getting onto" his staff and calling them out. My benefit is I have no real relationship with the staff. If they are not embracing my leadership values, then my connection is merely business and I can properly address the issue.

I want to implement leadership training during agency training. ALL members will attend. These are our future leaders and I want them to have this foundation. This is for the sworn, detention deputies and all civilian employees.

There is no doubt there is so much experience your staff members have. If they're on board, and show this, they will have no worries. There are some who will not live up to my expectations and I'll deal with that accordingly.

Lastly, I don't believe civilians should supervise sworn personnel. This does not mean I will get rid of them. They too have experience and can still bring a lot to the SCSO. I will find a place for them to continue being part of the BIG GREEN MACHINE in an position they can bring the most benefit to the agency.

Thanks for such a great question.

For all of you who read this, thank you for doing a thankless job!

Spike

[Unregistered]

I'm concerned about the 28 members of the command staff being too top heavy. I want to sit down with all divisions of the agency and brain storm how we can stream line this. My plan is not to come in and clean house. I want to sit down with each person, captain or civilian equivalent and above and have them explain their experience with the agency, what they have done and how they are a leader. I'm sure some people will retire upon my win. There are staff members who have a lot of experience and history with the agency. I want to keep the members who will help me move forward with making SCSO #1 again. I want anonymous peer reviews about the staff. The senior members of the agency know who the leaders are and who is never in the office collecting a paycheck. (This will not be a popularity contest)

Most importantly, like any good leader should do is talk to your subordinates and let them know what your expectations are. That way there is no misunderstanding. I also want open, two way, communication. One example is if they're is a policy change. Either I or a staff member will put out an e-mail explaining why the policy was changed. I always hated when I asked a supervisor why we did something a certain way they would tell me to not ask questions or I don't know. I especially hated hearing about new policies on the Orlando Sentinel.

I plan on meeting face to face with every employee in every unit and ask what we can do to make the agency better. This will be done without other staff member or lieutenants and above. (or civilian equivalent) I want this to be an open, candid conversation. If I like the idea and I approve it, I will notify my staff of this. You're not the first to tell me there is a communication gap between the sheriff, staff and troops. I don't know why there is a gap now. The bottom line is the sheriff tells you he's going to do something but hes not relaying this. It's a shame. I've known Dennis professionally and was happy when he became sheriff. I'm disappointed with his leadership plan running people off. I know you can't make everyone happy but it would kill me to know a majority of my employees are not happy with me. I will not tolerate a staff member going against my leadership and not honoring my decisions. I do what staff members who are not afraid to tell me an idea is not good, when discussing policy or agency issues. I don't want "yes" men or women.

As your sheriff, I promise not to get involved with projects outside the agency. SCSO will get a full time sheriff who only cares about keeping Seminole safe and leading the employees. My leading also means me being part of the team.

I know you have a group email for ideas to the sheriff. If a memo is sent to me via inter-office memo, with an idea or issue, I want a cover sheet for comments and signed by the chain-of-command. ALL memos sent to me will be delivered to me. You WILL receive a response to your memo. You mention some staff members do not adhere to the sheriff's decision. One issue is he has known these staff members for many years, working together and probably a friendship. I believe this keeps him from "getting onto" his staff and calling them out. My benefit is I have no real relationship with the staff. If they are not embracing my leadership values, then my connection is merely business and I can properly address the issue.

I want to implement leadership training during agency training. ALL members will attend. These are our future leaders and I want them to have this foundation. This is for the sworn, detention deputies and all civilian employees.

There is no doubt there is so much experience your staff members have. If they're on board, and show this, they will have no worries. There are some who will not live up to my expectations and I'll deal with that accordingly.

Lastly, I don't believe civilians should supervise sworn personnel. This does not mean I will get rid of them. They too have experience and can still bring a lot to the SCSO. I will find a place for them to continue being part of the BIG GREEN MACHINE in an position they can bring the most benefit to the agency.

Thanks for such a great question.

For all of you who read this, thank you for doing a thankless job!

Spike

Spike I noticed on your website you called Sheriff Lemma out for hiring back "double dippers." I couldn't help but think wouldn't you be a "double dipper" if you come back to work?

[Unregistered]

All I know is after I’ve read these recent posts and developments I’ve been more inspired and more happier to come to work than I have ever been. It pains me to say that but I’m sick of all the back stabbing, “it’s out of my pay grade”, and “it’s what the sheriff wants” responses. We’ve seen the lack of leadership and accountability and non transparency. We’ve only begun to see changes due to the overwhelming responses on the forum. We’ve been blatantly told that he doesn’t have time for us because has so many other things he needs to do.....all the while they benefit him and drive us into the ground. If we are the greatest resource then why don’t I feel like that? Why do I feel like I’m not valued and that I’m only a number. When things are called out here, nobody can defend the state of our agency. They result into attacking a political views or other childish, uneducated and quite obviously.....scared tactics.


If anything Spike, thanks for making my days better and bringing about some positive change here. I read once that inspiration is a great leadership trait. You’ve been more direct, inspiring and open than anything I’ve ever seen.

[Spike Hopkins]

Thanks. Your message means the world to me. I can only hope my entrance into this race creates a positive for the SCSO. Though I hope and pray to be your sheriff, I hope these positive changes don't stop if I am not successful.

[Spike Hopkins]

Spike I noticed on your website you called Sheriff Lemma out for hiring back "double dippers." I couldn't help but think wouldn't you be a "double dipper" if you come back to work?

Good point but I'm not on the state pension. I would only be receiving the pay as your sheriff.

[Unregistered]

He mentioned it wasn’t right to “double dip” but that other people were able to be promoted into that position but yet we brought someone who retired from us back into the same high ranking position. Maybe you should be asking why we didn’t promote someone from within into that position. If you can tell me that not one of all of our Lieutenants we have was qualified to do it then that means our Captains failed to train them to fill a Captain position. If it’s happening at that level then it’s probably happening at all levels. Still no one can answer any of Spike’s questions or address any of his facts.

Take another double shot of the kool aid and think about our organization and not yourself.

[Unregistered]

Since you did not sign your name, I do not know who you are. But the easiest way to find out about someone is to ask people who have worked with them. There are still a few left at the SCSO. See what they say.
I wasn't the greatest deputy who ever worked at the SCSO but I do not believe I was the worst either.
During my tenure, I made over 400 arrests and was decorated twice by Sheriff Eslinger. The first award was the Sheriff's Office Commendation for disarming a suspect armed with two knives and a 2 by 4. The second commendation was the Sheriff'Office Lifesaving Award for preventing a woman from committing suicide by slashing herself with a razor while locked inside her car.
As for the Academy, I started at the Academy when I was 49 years old which is a time when most LEO's are ending their careers not starting them. Nobody gave me a free pass since I had to meet the same standards as everyone else in the class...most of whom were young enough to be my son or daughter. When I graduated, I had already turned 50. I retired when I was 62 years old which I believe made me one of the oldest active duty deputies in the SCSO. I know I was the oldest deputy still working on the road at that time.
So if you think I had it easy, you are wrong but like I said...ask some of the people who worked with me. Let them be the judge.

Oh, Mcdun-huh. Congrats on your awards for your 12 years of service. You most certainly did and currently enjoy being the recipient of the good old boys system. Those cops that put up with your old man ranting, sure appreciated covering your @ss.

You are living and registered to vote in Orange County. You want to inject yourself in a discussion about current affairs at SCSO. Shut up about it.

Signed.

Keep living in the past. Keep being mad.

[Unregistered]

Like they say on the TV game show, this is my final answer. Reading this last post, the majority of your questions are geared towards somebody who is a politician. A lot of these questions have absolutely nothing to do with how the sheriff runs his or her office. Just to remind everyone, I'm not a politician I am a career long cop

With that being said, did you not go to my website and read my plan? You ask where all this money is coming from for my projects and you talk about raising taxes. Look at the tens of millions of dollars the current administration is wasting and not only having to hire, train and equip new deputies, but this year alone they have had to spend over $3 million in overtime. At this rate $6 million will go towards overtime because there is such a shortage of deputies on the road. My research shows that $3 million a year goes towards command staff pay.

What are your thoughts on the North region only having 5 deputies working? What about the fact of other agencies having to respond to calls for service in Seminole County because there's not a deputy closer?

I have answered all your questions honestly and to the best of my ability. Being a sheriff should be non-partisan and I will not interject my political affiliations into my work. That's why I am not concerned about any other campaign going on right now other than my own.

As a matter of fact, I only plan on voting for one person this year in the election, myself. I want to be neutral the entire way around.

You sound really bothered that I have a plan to not only help the citizens of Seminole County, the employees of the sheriff's office, and actually put more deputies on the street while saving money.

Stay safe,

Spike

What about corrections? It’s the same as the road. Messed up! What are your plans for detention deputy’s at John E. Polk and other detention facilities in the Sheriff’s Office?

[Spike Hopkins]

For those who are curious to my leadership philosophy, read or download this book on Audible. Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willlink and Leif Babin. https://www.audible.com/ep/title/?asin=B015TVHUA2&source_code=GO1GBSH09091690F7&device=m&ds_rl=1262685&ds_rl=1263561&ds_rl=1260658&cvosrc=ppc.google.extreme%20ownership&cvo_campaign=250472289&cvo_crid=260176807168&Matchtype=e&gclid=CjwKCAjwrvv3BRAJEiwAhwOdM-u6HuG-4k2JW8pqzl-VaeInsHocUctwwW0aZFReTxxtNGThzCciARoCyhgQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Unregistered]

You have my vote Spike. Save our Deputies in North and South Regions from bring understaffed and ruled over by tyrannical supervisors.

[Spike Hopkins]

That's the plan. Thanks for your support! 🇺🇸

[Charlie Albrecht]

For those that need to talk
Good evening SCSO,

If you can not go to your chain of command please come to me. I am willing to listen, talk, and be your voice if needed. Stay safe I have your back, Charlie Albrecht

[Unregistered]

Spike in 2016 when you were running for Sheriff of Orange County as a Republican you said:

10. Personal information: Age, city of residence, family, education, experience and endorsements, etc.

I have been a resident of Orange County for 38 years. I am 49 years old. My family moved to the Conway area of Orange County when my father retired from the United States Air Force after 20 years of service. I am a devoted family man and respected member of my church. Law enforcement is the family business, as my beautiful wife, Shelby, is a police officer in Orlando. We have a 6-year-old son named Quintin.

[Unregistered]

What’s next? Are we going to discredit his ability to lead the agency because he worked somewhere else too?

Last time I checked, a lot of our current employees live outside of our county. But he obviously moved here for a reason.

Maybe you should ask why we have a high turnover rate. Maybe you should ask why we can’t work off duty’s in other counties but UCF is ok some how. Maybe you should ask how many opioid presentations were given the last few years and how they benefitted you (obviously you think they do). Maybe you should ask how come things have only changed because of this forum. Let’s see we’ve gotten hats, tattoos, load bearing vests and other changes. The most recently was after being called out as looking like a banker, someone made a tv appearance in uniform. I’ve noticed quite a few other people who also don’t wear a uniform.....some never since their promotions. Some oversee non detectives too. Politicians constantly skate the truth and can’t ever give direct answers. Let’s see if and when the current administration can directly answer those questions here or anywhere.

Keep trolling.

[Unregistered]

This is the typical BS that goes on all the time. Somebody doesn't like what Ed said, so right away they go after him and shit on him, who no doubt is a suck up and probably looking to climb the later of success by screwing over people.

Isn't this discussion about Spike and how he can better the agency? Instead people shitting on each other, we are better than that. I do understand the frustration and know there are plenty of people reading these posts including the suck ups and admin.

Let's face it, SCSO is a sinking ship, some of administration and other supervisors just don't care. I have never seen moral this low, it's frightening. People afraid to do their job, speak their opinion, working countless hours of OT, being beat down by their bosses and then the bosses laugh about it and bosses that will not stand up for their people.

There are so many Deputies, Sgt.'s Lt.'s and command staff that have sold their souls through the years in an attempt to self-promote themselves and have no issue stepping on and jamming up anyone to make themselves look good in the administrations eyes. To be honest, they are good liars, spineless, never were good cops and weak people. However people are intimated by them, because they brag how "tight" they are with the administration, their rank, people tell them what they want to hear and will never speak up to them. If they do speak up, right away they are labeled as "disgruntled people" and will never be able to move on from that. CL, SL, LT, CA, DP the list can go on and on.

There are good leaders at SCSO, however not many because they are held back or pushed around the the bosses. I spoke to someone recently who said DF reminds him a lot of MD. These two people never had an issue speaking up and standing up for their people and for what is right. They know the meaning of leadership and are strong people.

As many of you know, SCSO tried countless times to screw over MD and did. MD always went to work with a smile on his face, treated his people very well and no issue standing up for his people and himself. The person I spoke with, is good friends with MD. They told me many stories and incidents of what they did to MD, it was disgusting all they way to the DE administration, no wonder he left as soon as he could. Don't forget they also fired him and put him through hell.

I say this to say this, Spike you might want to consider bring MD back. He was well respected, well liked, honest and a cops cop.

Charlie, we are not stupid we can read between the lines, nice try. You did the same thing a while ago and nobody trusted you because of your actions and history.

Spike, I wish you the best of luck, you do have my vote. I know you will be a great leader and put the employees first and clean house.

[Spike Hopkins]

Spike in 2016 when you were running for Sheriff of Orange County as a Republican you said:

10. Personal information: Age, city of residence, family, education, experience and endorsements, etc.

I have been a resident of Orange County for 38 years. I am 49 years old. My family moved to the Conway area of Orange County when my father retired from the United States Air Force after 20 years of service. I am a devoted family man and respected member of my church. Law enforcement is the family business, as my beautiful wife, Shelby, is a police officer in Orlando. We have a 6-year-old son named Quintin.

To answer your question, I've lived and still live in Seminole County for 12 years. I lived in Seminole when I ran for the OC sheriff.

Do all the other issues going on within the SCSO not concern you?

[Unregistered]

To answer your question, I've lived and still live in Seminole County for 12 years. I lived in Seminole when I ran for the OC sheriff.

Do all the other issues going on within the SCSO not concern you?


Not really because it's the same thing you told the deputies in Orange County in 2016 when you ran as a Republican. I was just asking because you gave Orange County voters the impression you lived in Orange County for 38 years, but you really lived in Seminole County. Just wondering what else you are saying that isn't true.

[Unregistered]

[QUOTE=Unregistered;3172600]Spike, given the current climate, would you take a knee if asked to by the community?[/QUOTE
I only kneel to God.

[Unregistered]

This is the typical BS that goes on all the time. Somebody doesn't like what Ed said, so right away they go after him and shit on him, who no doubt is a suck up and probably looking to climb the later of success by screwing over people.

Isn't this discussion about Spike and how he can better the agency? Instead people shitting on each other, we are better than that. I do understand the frustration and know there are plenty of people reading these posts including the suck ups and admin.

Let's face it, SCSO is a sinking ship, some of administration and other supervisors just don't care. I have never seen moral this low, it's frightening. People afraid to do their job, speak their opinion, working countless hours of OT, being beat down by their bosses and then the bosses laugh about it and bosses that will not stand up for their people.

There are so many Deputies, Sgt.'s Lt.'s and command staff that have sold their souls through the years in an attempt to self-promote themselves and have no issue stepping on and jamming up anyone to make themselves look good in the administrations eyes. To be honest, they are good liars, spineless, never were good cops and weak people. However people are intimated by them, because they brag how "tight" they are with the administration, their rank, people tell them what they want to hear and will never speak up to them. If they do speak up, right away they are labeled as "disgruntled people" and will never be able to move on from that. CL, SL, LT, CA, DP the list can go on and on.

There are good leaders at SCSO, however not many because they are held back or pushed around the the bosses. I spoke to someone recently who said DF reminds him a lot of MD. These two people never had an issue speaking up and standing up for their people and for what is right. They know the meaning of leadership and are strong people.

As many of you know, SCSO tried countless times to screw over MD and did. MD always went to work with a smile on his face, treated his people very well and no issue standing up for his people and himself. The person I spoke with, is good friends with MD. They told me many stories and incidents of what they did to MD, it was disgusting all they way to the DE administration, no wonder he left as soon as he could. Don't forget they also fired him and put him through hell.

I say this to say this, Spike you might want to consider bring MD back. He was well respected, well liked, honest and a cops cop.

Charlie, we are not stupid we can read between the lines, nice try. You did the same thing a while ago and nobody trusted you because of your actions and history.

Spike, I wish you the best of luck, you do have my vote. I know you will be a great leader and put the employees first and clean house.

[Unregistered]

Not really because it's the same thing you told the deputies in Orange County in 2016 when you ran as a Republican. I was just asking because you gave Orange County voters the impression you lived in Orange County for 38 years, but you really lived in Seminole County. Just wondering what else you are saying that isn't true.

It's not a lie. I lived in Orange county for 38 years and I have lived in Seminole for 12 years. Yes both agencies have the same problems much of the problems are due to poor leadership. Orange County was just on a much larger scale. My experience from working in a large county, I saw first hand how bad leadership has such an effect on how the the county can be ran into the ground internally and externally.

As far as your concerns for other things you think I'm "not being truthful" about, I invite you to look into anything you want about me and if you have any questions ask me. I have no reason to lie. Do you have any questions about my experience? Do you have any questions about my plan that is laid out on my website? Is anything that I've said about the Seminole County Sheriff's Office not true? You should be more concerned about the terrible condition of the Seminole County Sheriff's Office and not how long I've lived in Seminole County.

[Unregistered]

Not really because it's the same thing you told the deputies in Orange County in 2016 when you ran as a Republican. I was just asking because you gave Orange County voters the impression you lived in Orange County for 38 years, but you really lived in Seminole County. Just wondering what else you are saying that isn't true.

If you are someone in the admin, then what you are choosing to "go after" Spike about is only speaking volumns about what everyone is complaining about. If you aren't in admin but want to be someday then hang it up, it isn't happening. I would be willing to bet if Spike chose to lie or mislead anyone about anything it wouldn't be about the number of years he lived anywhere. It is so irrelevant that I shouldn't even be responding to it but you got me and I gave in. As someone else said, alot of employees don't or have ever resided in Seminole, so who gives a ****. Challenge his views, beliefs, visions or whatever else you don't agree with.

And for CA, well at least his message wasn't plagiarized again but we ALL see through it and know his true intentions.

[Unregistered]

It's not a lie. I lived in Orange county for 38 years and I have lived in Seminole for 12 years. Yes both agencies have the same problems much of the problems are due to poor leadership. Orange County was just on a much larger scale. My experience from working in a large county, I saw first hand how bad leadership has such an effect on how the the county can be ran into the ground internally and externally.

As far as your concerns for other things you think I'm "not being truthful" about, I invite you to look into anything you want about me and if you have any questions ask me. I have no reason to lie. Do you have any questions about my experience? Do you have any questions about my plan that is laid out on my website? Is anything that I've said about the Seminole County Sheriff's Office not true? You should be more concerned about the terrible condition of the Seminole County Sheriff's Office and not how long I've lived in Seminole County.

Not a Chief, just a voter, but can't help but notice the things being promised for Seminole are the same things that were promised in Orange.

https://www.orangeobserver.com/photo-gallery/2016-election-orange-county-sheriff

[Unregistered]

Kind of hard to implement change and follow through on promises if you’re not the boss.

[Spike Hopkins]

Not a Chief, just a voter, but can't help but notice the things being promised for Seminole are the same things that were promised in Orange.

https://www.orangeobserver.com/photo-gallery/2016-election-orange-county-sheriff

The bottom line is, are they bad things to implement? Same problems, neighbor agency.

[Unregistered]

Not a Chief, just a voter, but can't help but notice the things being promised for Seminole are the same things that were promised in Orange.

https://www.orangeobserver.com/photo-gallery/2016-election-orange-county-sheriff


I am trying to figure out your point? Capt, Major, Chief whatever your rank here is. Get off the Koolaide!! Do you specifically have an issue with any of the suggestions? Or are you just trying to find anything to whine about you can.. I mean if you disagree with something specific then by all means I invite you to speak up and allow Spike a chance to respond. If not STFU..

[Unregistered]

And citing only "personal reasons" for switching to Democrat is not disclosure, and not truthfulness. What part of their platform do you agree with? With our cities burning all over the country in Democrat controlled areas, how can we take the chance on giving power as a constitutional Sheriff in Florida, to another one. You think there's no power in this office, think again. DE is still using his power and influence all over the State of Florida. It matters.

[Unregistered]

The issue they have is that they are losing their minds that someone is challenging the old way of life. They know that they have avoided dealing with issues that should have been addressed years ago. Remember all those skip meetings? Keep voicing your opinions and stand up for what’s right. We owe it to our agency and the people of our county. We are challenging the process! (Which is from the leadership library by the way)

[Unregistered]

Which agency isn't working shorthanded? Which agency isn't experiencing low morale for the state our profession is in? Which agency hasn't experienced an outflow of experience due to the Florida Retirement System changes and other reasons. So which agency then has sufficient experience at the senior officer, corporal, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, or even major level, to satisfy everyone. There is a shared reality, in every agency, around the entire Country, the job has changed, and not for the better, and we have trouble recruiting, retaining, and promoting. The experience base is limited everywhere. Pay is a part of it, but the microscope we must operate under creates the difficulty in recruiting, retaining and promoting. There's no overnight fix. Even knowing you will be defended when you're operating in good faith, is something not all agencies will offer in today's political climate. There is no magic wand that can be waved to fix all of this, and I don't care who's wearing the four stars.

[Unregistered]

Politician response. Worry about our organization not all the others. That’s like us comparing our pay to a county like Broward or Hillsborough This desperation is beyond obvious.

[Unregistered]

Politician response. Worry about our organization not all the others. That’s like us comparing our pay to a county like Broward or Hillsborough This desperation is beyond obvious.

Well you just stick to the we hate the authority rhetoric and the grownups can speak to real problems we need to face. And the reality is there are a very complex series of issues that need addressing. This was not a political response; it is the real state of our industry.

[Unregistered]

Which one? Abortion? Universal healthcare? I am confused on what to enforce. The sheriff is a constitutional officer. Enforcing traffic laws, civil evictions, and other laws is non partisan. Maybe where you patrol you ask people what their political affiliation is before you take action. Gurgle gurgle goes the kool aid.

[Unregistered]

If you are someone in the admin, then what you are choosing to "go after" Spike about is only speaking volumns about what everyone is complaining about. If you aren't in admin but want to be someday then hang it up, it isn't happening. I would be willing to bet if Spike chose to lie or mislead anyone about anything it wouldn't be about the number of years he lived anywhere. It is so irrelevant that I shouldn't even be responding to it but you got me and I gave in. As someone else said, alot of employees don't or have ever resided in Seminole, so who gives a ****. Challenge his views, beliefs, visions or whatever else you don't agree with.

And for CA, well at least his message wasn't plagiarized again but we ALL see through it and know his true intentions.


Obviously nothing better to do than to research what people write, do you do that with reports too? You’re so smart, tell us his true intentions.

See, Spike, a person trying to reach out, you get shit on. They think you’re stabbing others on the way up. Even with their training, stats, and actually having working relationships with command staff, they get shit on. How do you fix that Spike? Sheriff Lemma won’t even comment on these pages because it’s “telephone tough guys” that don’t have the backbone to go to anyone in person and talk things out. My over 22 years at this agency and I’m losing my love for this job because I bust my butt but do others deserve my work ethic? I’ll just get shit on now for this post... trying to enjoy my last few years or going elsewhere where people respect one another. It’s bad enough we have to deal with citizens who hate cops. Now we have to deal with internal haters too.

[Unregistered]

Based on what I’m seeing here, people should be very afraid. I know that after showing my neighbors posts here that have over a 100K views, their response is why has nothing changed. My reply is that’s why I’m talking to you. What’s even better is they forward links from the forum to all of their friends. People’s minds are blown looking at the state of our county.

[Unregistered]

Based on what I’m seeing here, people should be very afraid. I know that after showing my neighbors posts here that have over a 100K views, their response is why has nothing changed. My reply is that’s why I’m talking to you. What’s even better is they forward links from the forum to all of their friends. People’s minds are blown looking at the state of our county.

Who should be afraid? How many neighbors do you have? There is only one thread from years ago that has over 100K views.

[Unregistered]

They see them all. Even an idiot can see the state of our agency. Btw I talk to all my neighbors, church fellowships and any where else I can spread “the word”. Where’s your response to our turnover or anything else that Spike mentioned. Maybe it will be in this weeks podcast we get.

[Unregistered]

They see them all. Even an idiot can see the state of our agency. Btw I talk to all my neighbors, church fellowships and any where else I can spread “the word”. Where’s your response to our turnover or anything else that Spike mentioned. Maybe it will be in this weeks podcast we get.

I'm sorry to inform you but it's not just us. https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-ne-fop-orlando-police-survey-20200702-pq2jmembjrdonl3v4ryyaw4pda-story.html

[Unregistered]

They see them all. Even an idiot can see the state of our agency. Btw I talk to all my neighbors, church fellowships and any where else I can spread “the word”. Where’s your response to our turnover or anything else that Spike mentioned. Maybe it will be in this weeks podcast we get.

Good to know your neighbors read all the posts on here. I'll respond just as soon as Spike explains why he was a Trumpster a few years ago, cleared out his Facebook, and is now a Democrat. #Biden2020, oh right Spike you aren't voting for anyone but yourself.

[Unregistered]

So here we are, worried about what he did in a previous campaign. If you don’t like it, why don’t you run for the office. Again no one can answer Spikes questions. Where’s our administration answering anything at all. Using fake names in previous posts? Spike has been more upfront than any of our sworn or civilian command staff. If you don’t believe me, wait for their post, email or video. Keep holding your breath it won’t come. They are in full desperation mode to result to posts like this. Show me some substance or leadership proposals.

[Unregistered]

So here we are, worried about what he did in a previous campaign. If you don’t like it, why don’t you run for the office. Again no one can answer Spikes questions. Where’s our administration answering anything at all. Using fake names in previous posts? Spike has been more upfront than any of our sworn or civilian command staff. If you don’t believe me, wait for their post, email or video. Keep holding your breath it won’t come. They are in full desperation mode to result to posts like this. Show me some substance or leadership proposals.


Really? It doesn't bother you that he was previously part of a political party that promoted law & justice and now he's part of a political party that is promoting defunding the police across Americia? We are going to have all the best equipment and the highest pay but at the same time part of a political party that defunds the police. Am I the only one who is watching the news?

[Unregistered]

No I don’t. You’re prob someone that’s freaking about of the corona virus too. How many died from
Corona in Florida? How many have died from the flu in Florida? How many have died from vehicle crashes in Florida? How many have died from opiod overdoses? Omg I’ll never go out in public again.

[Unregistered]

This is the typical BS that goes on all the time. Somebody doesn't like what Ed said, so right away they go after him and shit on him, who no doubt is a suck up and probably looking to climb the later of success by screwing over people.

Isn't this discussion about Spike and how he can better the agency? Instead people shitting on each other, we are better than that. I do understand the frustration and know there are plenty of people reading these posts including the suck ups and admin.

Let's face it, SCSO is a sinking ship, some of administration and other supervisors just don't care. I have never seen moral this low, it's frightening. People afraid to do their job, speak their opinion, working countless hours of OT, being beat down by their bosses and then the bosses laugh about it and bosses that will not stand up for their people.

There are so many Deputies, Sgt.'s Lt.'s and command staff that have sold their souls through the years in an attempt to self-promote themselves and have no issue stepping on and jamming up anyone to make themselves look good in the administrations eyes. To be honest, they are good liars, spineless, never were good cops and weak people. However people are intimated by them, because they brag how "tight" they are with the administration, their rank, people tell them what they want to hear and will never speak up to them. If they do speak up, right away they are labeled as "disgruntled people" and will never be able to move on from that. CL, SL, LT, CA, DP the list can go on and on.

There are good leaders at SCSO, however not many because they are held back or pushed around the the bosses. I spoke to someone recently who said DF reminds him a lot of MD. These two people never had an issue speaking up and standing up for their people and for what is right. They know the meaning of leadership and are strong people.

As many of you know, SCSO tried countless times to screw over MD and did. MD always went to work with a smile on his face, treated his people very well and no issue standing up for his people and himself. The person I spoke with, is good friends with MD. They told me many stories and incidents of what they did to MD, it was disgusting all they way to the DE administration, no wonder he left as soon as he could. Don't forget they also fired him and put him through hell.

I say this to say this, Spike you might want to consider bring MD back. He was well respected, well liked, honest and a cops cop.

Charlie, we are not stupid we can read between the lines, nice try. You did the same thing a while ago and nobody trusted you because of your actions and history.

Spike, I wish you the best of luck, you do have my vote. I know you will be a great leader and put the employees first and clean house.

MD retired kind of abruptly while he was in DROP didn't he. Maybe you should ask someone at Oviedo PD why he "retired" before comparing "DF" to him. "DF" might not want that comparison. Does MD still teach at the police academy?

[Spike Hopkins]

Really? It doesn't bother you that he was previously part of a political party that promoted law & justice and now he's part of a political party that is promoting defunding the police across Americia? We are going to have all the best equipment and the highest pay but at the same time part of a political party that defunds the police. Am I the only one who is watching the news?

The funny thing is people make a big deal out of this Republican Democrat thing. Are you the same person who tried to get on to me earlier because my plans for Orange County? When I ran as a Republican, the plans that I have for Seminole County are very similar running as a Democrat? I haven't changed. I know the job of sheriff and I know it's a constitutional officer. My oath of protecting Seminole County with the Constitution and state laws does not waver. I also know that as a constitutional officer I cannot enforce an unconstitutional law.

[Unregistered]

The funny thing is people make a big deal out of this Republican Democrat thing. Are you the same person who tried to get on to me earlier because my plans for Orange County? When I ran as a Republican, the plans that I have for Seminole County are very similar running as a Democrat? I haven't changed. I know the job of sheriff and I know it's a constitutional officer. My oath of protecting Seminole County with the Constitution and state laws does not waver. I also know that as a constitutional officer I cannot enforce an unconstitutional law.

A very politician answer for someone who claims not to be a politician..

[Unregistered]

A very politician answer for someone who claims not to be a politician..

Avoids the question because he knows conservatives won't like the answer. It would give us insight into how he sees the world; how he thinks.

[Unregistered]

Avoids the question because he knows conservatives won't like the answer. It would give us insight into how he sees the world; how he thinks.

Come on Spike. We are going to defund the police, right? #Biden2020.

[Unregistered]

The funny thing is people make a big deal out of this Republican Democrat thing. Are you the same person who tried to get on to me earlier because my plans for Orange County? When I ran as a Republican, the plans that I have for Seminole County are very similar running as a Democrat? I haven't changed. I know the job of sheriff and I know it's a constitutional officer. My oath of protecting Seminole County with the Constitution and state laws does not waver. I also know that as a constitutional officer I cannot enforce an unconstitutional law.


It is a big deal when Democrat Cities are burning and officers are being hurt and killed. I'd fight this fervently against any office a Democrat wants to assume. But 10 times more against one who won't say why he believes in Democrat policies and wants a powerful position like Sheriff. Just no.

[Unregistered]

Seriously? Where is your administrations response? The only the important thing is opioids. Where is any of their responses? Crickets and more crickets. What’s important is all these posts that the residents of our county see. Keep trolling.

[Unregistered]

Seriously? Where is your administrations response? The only the important thing is opioids. Where is any of their responses? Crickets and more crickets. What’s important is all these posts that the residents of our county see. Keep trolling.

Trolling? I'm a Democrat just like Spike isn't he? We are going to defund the police.

[Unregistered]

Trolling? I'm a Democrat just like Spike isn't he? We are going to defund the police.

#Biden2020, you are with me Spike. Thank you for being a Democrat.

[Unregistered]

I’m a republicrat. I believe in both ideas. I however administer the law blindly and unbiasedly. Where us your administration’s response to all these allegations? Crickets like usual. They have nothing to say here, email or the weekly message.

[Unregistered]

Trolling? I'm a Democrat just like Spike isn't he? We are going to defund the police.

Have you been to Spikes website? He plainly says he will not defund the police. Not all Democrats are proud of how their party has behaved in certain situations. There are terrible Republicans out their too but you can't bundle them all together. Just like the country is basically saying all cops are rascist and all cops need to be retrained. It's not a fair statement to assume that if you belong to a certain political party you are going to do things a certain way.

Your post are coming across like a very desperate attempt to make a man look bad where you have absolutely nothing else to go on except his party affiliation. Which is sad to watch really. So you don't want a Democrat as the Sheriff because of his party affiliation? So if Spike was running as an independent with the same exact plan you would be fine with that? Why haven't you expressed your concerns with his plan, his experience, his moral character anything else.......you can't because their isn't a problem with any of it. You know the old saying of "if it isn't broken don't fix it" ? Well SCSO is broken, it needs to be fixed. And I want Seminole County as a whole to be saved from turning into the garbage can some of the surrounding counties have turned into and the current Sheriff isn't going to make that happen. I don't care what the party affiliation of the sheriff is and neither should you.

So don't vote for Spike if you don't want to but don't get on here repeating the same stupid argument. Ask some valid questions. Make a valid point. Bring up anything other than his party affiliation where you see a problem, because everyone here knows the problems lie within the SCSO.

[Unregistered]

They can’t that’s why they resort to “Democrat” or other bs. We have have a lot of cranky others collecting second pensions here venting.

[Unregistered]

Have you been to Spikes website? He plainly says he will not defund the police. Not all Democrats are proud of how their party has behaved in certain situations. There are terrible Republicans out their too but you can't bundle them all together. Just like the country is basically saying all cops are rascist and all cops need to be retrained. It's not a fair statement to assume that if you belong to a certain political party you are going to do things a certain way.

Your post are coming across like a very desperate attempt to make a man look bad where you have absolutely nothing else to go on except his party affiliation. Which is sad to watch really. So you don't want a Democrat as the Sheriff because of his party affiliation? So if Spike was running as an independent with the same exact plan you would be fine with that? Why haven't you expressed your concerns with his plan, his experience, his moral character anything else.......you can't because their isn't a problem with any of it. You know the old saying of "if it isn't broken don't fix it" ? Well SCSO is broken, it needs to be fixed. And I want Seminole County as a whole to be saved from turning into the garbage can some of the surrounding counties have turned into and the current Sheriff isn't going to make that happen. I don't care what the party affiliation of the sheriff is and neither should you.

So don't vote for Spike if you don't want to but don't get on here repeating the same stupid argument. Ask some valid questions. Make a valid point. Bring up anything other than his party affiliation where you see a problem, because everyone here knows the problems lie within the SCSO.

I defintely won't vote for someone who represents a party that wants to defund the police. Justify whatever you want, but Spike has aligned himself with a party that wants to defund the police.

[Unregistered]

Can we please keep this constructive? I understand when politics are involved people can feel emotional about that and everything, and people have a right to inquire about his beliefs, but with that being said, this thread is going off the rails.

Lets not forget we have road deputies miserable with their situations, and working in a dangerous and confusing atmosphere. Our focus should be on what we can do immediately to retain our road guys and keep them safe. From not just bad guys but also bad leadership. From a department level.... not a political ideology.

I mean no offense to anyone. I see everyones points, but please, come together and be constructive. Is it going to be taken more seriously only when a deputy gets hurt? That would be unfortunate.

Stay safe guys. Remember the little people that work here, that need their issues addressed before anything.

God Bless.

[Unregistered]

Can we please keep this constructive? I understand when politics are involved people can feel emotional about that and everything, and people have a right to inquire about his beliefs, but with that being said, this thread is going off the rails.

Lets not forget we have road deputies miserable with their situations, and working in a dangerous and confusing atmosphere. Our focus should be on what we can do immediately to retain our road guys and keep them safe. From not just bad guys but also bad leadership. From a department level.... not a political ideology.

I mean no offense to anyone. I see everyones points, but please, come together and be constructive. Is it going to be taken more seriously only when a deputy gets hurt? That would be unfortunate.

Stay safe guys. Remember the little people that work here, that need their issues addressed before anything.

God Bless.

Won't protect you from a party that wants to defund the police. Spike can say he doesn't want to defund the police, but his party does. #Biden2020.

[Unregistered]

Won't protect you from a party that wants to defund the police. Spike can say he doesn't want to defund the police, but his party does. #Biden2020.

Come on stop with the attempt to smear Spike. If you have an issue with a policy or something specific please share it. If not take off your tin foil hat and stop only watching Fox news...

[Unregistered]

I'm still trying to wrap my head around CA offering to be our voice. You could start by being the voice for DIS. The only thing missing from his post was "Look at me, look at me".

[Unregistered]

I'm still trying to wrap my head around CA offering to be our voice. You could start by being the voice for DIS. The only thing missing from his post was "Look at me, look at me".

Could it really be that his heart just might be in the right place in trying to work from within to help give a voice to those who claim to be voiceless within their assigned chain? Here's a little newsflash; Charlie's career has been slowed, threatened and at times put on hold (as he was passed over) because he spoke up and spoke out and let his true feelings be heard and he absolutely suffered consequences. But like MD, he kept on and kept coming to work anyway and hasn't thrown up his hands and quit. You may not agree with him, may not think he's worthy, but he has kept showing up and trying anyway. He also had the stones to sign his name knowing full well the loudest of the mouths would s**t on him, yet he tries. You mouth off when there's no response, you mouth when you get someone from within who tries you will never amount to jack s**t until you change your attitude chicken little. BTW Spike, you know they'll turn on you too the first time they disagree with one if your policies. You seem to project a tough leadership philosophy Spike. That's something some of these thumb suckers can't abide. Don't trust them "Spike."

[Unregistered]

Could it really be that his heart just might be in the right place in trying to work from within to help give a voice to those who claim to be voiceless within their assigned chain? Here's a little newsflash; Charlie's career has been slowed, threatened and at times put on hold (as he was passed over) because he spoke up and spoke out and let his true feelings be heard and he absolutely suffered consequences. But like MD, he kept on and kept coming to work anyway and hasn't thrown up his hands and quit. You may not agree with him, may not think he's worthy, but he has kept showing up and trying anyway. He also had the stones to sign his name knowing full well the loudest of the mouths would s**t on him, yet he tries. You mouth off when there's no response, you mouth when you get someone from within who tries you will never amount to jack s**t until you change your attitude chicken little. BTW Spike, you know they'll turn on you too the first time they disagree with one if your policies. You seem to project a tough leadership philosophy Spike. That's something some of these thumb suckers can't abide. Don't trust them "Spike."


The only person CA has ever stood up for is CA. And I noticed your name is visibly absent.

[Unregistered]

The only person CA has ever stood up for is CA. And I noticed your name is visibly absent.
Yup. Yours too tough guy.

[Unregistered]

I'm still trying to wrap my head around CA offering to be our voice. You could start by being the voice for DIS. The only thing missing from his post was "Look at me, look at me".


Complaining your expensive rides got taken away, what else are you upset about? They have to be REAL reasons, not your sensitivity to corrective criticism. I’ve never seen this childish shit in over 25yrs. Used to be the best unit, in the early 2000’s. Not anymore, Keep whining so others laugh at you. I hope RJP reads this.

[Unregistered]

The only person CA has ever stood up for is CA. And I noticed your name is visibly absent.

As is yours..... come say it to CA’s face, bet you won’t

[Unregistered]

I'm still trying to wrap my head around CA offering to be our voice. You could start by being the voice for DIS. The only thing missing from his post was "Look at me, look at me".

He’s just trying to look good in front of our new Sheriff!

[Unregistered]

He’s just trying to look good in front of our new Sheriff!

You're a real prize aren't ya?

[Unregistered]

The best thing that could happen to this agency is a new Sheriff comes in and they clean house of the entire building 100 crew. Then move onto these "special units" that have people sitting in their chairs getting lazier and fatter by the day. A large majority of all these "deputies" were slugs on patrol and then have hide out for years in these units. Shake the place up!! Run the turds out..

[Unregistered]

The best thing that could happen to this agency is a new Sheriff comes in and they clean house of the entire building 100 crew. Then move onto these "special units" that have people sitting in their chairs getting lazier and fatter by the day. A large majority of all these "deputies" were slugs on patrol and then have hide out for years in these units. Shake the place up!! Run the turds out..

Same could be said for the road. I hear crickets on the radio every night. What happened to being proactive. One could say that falls on supervisors not pushing the road and having low expectations but with that the road complains they are getting micro managed when encouraged to work. Seems like you can’t win either way.

Maybe it’s the culture we are creating for ourselves. No one wants to be the poor guy or gal on the news because people are Monday morning a UOF. My personal opinion, take it for what it is, I don’t feel the love from the command staff. I feel they will screw me to save face. That lack of leadership and support makes me not wanna risk everything.

[Unregistered]

Yup. Yours too tough guy.

Clearly this is JA standing up for her man.

[Unregistered]

Same could be said for the road. I hear crickets on the radio every night. What happened to being proactive. One could say that falls on supervisors not pushing the road and having low expectations but with that the road complains they are getting micro managed when encouraged to work. Seems like you can’t win either way.


Why would we want to be proactive when -

1. We are constantly short staffed, to a dangerous level, which can often lead us to humping calls. Being "proactive" and making an arrest might mean I'm 1006 at the jail and now my zone partner is left alone without backup nearby if something happens.

2. Covid 19 since March, and the promise of having a deputy in every csa was a lie. SRDS get assigned a csa and dissapear all night or they go home early.

3. This is a setup to get ourselves in a bad situation then be destroyed in the news for doing on jobs.

Why be proactive under these working conditions? It's a good thing you hear crickets on the radio.

[Unregistered]

[QUOTE=Unregistered;3174872]Clearly this is JA standing up for her man.[/QUOTE

Wrong answer.

[Unregistered]

For Spike:
If you are cleaning the house, you have my vote. If you don’t... you won’t have it.

This agency is crooked, corrupt, and full of favoritism.

[Unregistered]

Same could be said for the road. I hear crickets on the radio every night. What happened to being proactive. One could say that falls on supervisors not pushing the road and having low expectations but with that the road complains they are getting micro managed when encouraged to work. Seems like you can’t win either way.

Maybe it’s the culture we are creating for ourselves. No one wants to be the poor guy or gal on the news because people are Monday morning a UOF. My personal opinion, take it for what it is, I don’t feel the love from the command staff. I feel they will screw me to save face. That lack of leadership and support makes me not wanna risk everything.

Well since this agency nor do supervisors support deputies I can't blame them. Given the current climate in the US I think doing nothing is the right move. And Proactive with out staffing numbers you are funny lol.....

[Spike Hopkins]

Hey all, I feel your pain. I've been there and this will not happen under my command. When I become sheriff I plan on doing an anonymous web survey on the command staff and supervisors at all levels. I want leaders, not supervisors/managers. I will not tolerate supervisors who micromanage or want to stop proactively. I will have your backs. I will be out on patrol with you. The practice of not being a team player when you get promoted will stop.
Supervisors have admin duties I understand but being MIA or only available by phone will not be acceptable.

This goes at all levels and for detention deputies and civilians. I will listen but more importantly, I will change things for the better.

As I said before, I'm sure some command staff members will leave on their own after the election.

Recruitment and hiring will be a top priority. Placing more deputies in patrol is on the top of the list. I will evaluate each specialty unit and determine the best course of action for the agency.

Go to https://spikeforseminolesheriff.com/plan-for-scso-employees for more.

Detention deputies and civilians can reach out to me so we can solve your issues.

Thank you for doing this thankless job.

Stay safe,

Spike

[Unregistered]

Hey all, I feel your pain. I've been there and this will not happen under my command. When I become sheriff I plan on doing an anonymous web survey on the command staff and supervisors at all levels. I want leaders, not supervisors/managers. I will not tolerate supervisors who micromanage or want to stop proactively. I will have your backs. I will be out on patrol with you. The practice of not being a team player when you get promoted will stop.
Supervisors have admin duties I understand but being MIA or only available by phone will not be acceptable.

This goes at all levels and for detention deputies and civilians. I will listen but more importantly, I will change things for the better.

As I said before, I'm sure some command staff members will leave on their own after the election.

Recruitment and hiring will be a top priority. Placing more deputies in patrol is on the top of the list. I will evaluate each specialty unit and determine the best course of action for the agency.

Go to https://spikeforseminolesheriff.com/plan-for-scso-employees for more.

Detention deputies and civilians can reach out to me so we can solve your issues.

Thank you for doing this thankless job.

Stay safe,

Spike

From your discussions, have you identified any problem employees, who and why? What specific changes would you make?

[Unregistered]

I’m glad I reached out to you Spike. You answered all my questions. I can’t wait to see what happens next year!!

[Spike Hopkins]

I’m glad I reached out to you Spike. You answered all my questions. I can’t wait to see what happens next year!!

Anytime!

Spike

[Unregistered]

Me too. The current chain of command gives more waffles than a house of pancakes! You have my vote!

[Unregistered]

Hey all, I feel your pain. I've been there and this will not happen under my command. When I become sheriff I plan on doing an anonymous web survey on the command staff and supervisors at all levels. I want leaders, not supervisors/managers. I will not tolerate supervisors who micromanage or want to stop proactively. I will have your backs. I will be out on patrol with you. The practice of not being a team player when you get promoted will stop.
Supervisors have admin duties I understand but being MIA or only available by phone will not be acceptable.

This goes at all levels and for detention deputies and civilians. I will listen but more importantly, I will change things for the better.

As I said before, I'm sure some command staff members will leave on their own after the election.

Recruitment and hiring will be a top priority. Placing more deputies in patrol is on the top of the list. I will evaluate each specialty unit and determine the best course of action for the agency.

Go to https://spikeforseminolesheriff.com/plan-for-scso-employees for more.

Detention deputies and civilians can reach out to me so we can solve your issues.

Thank you for doing this thankless job.

Stay safe,

Spike

Let's go Spike, you got this! #SaveSCSO

[Unregistered]

Hey all, I feel your pain. I've been there and this will not happen under my command. When I become sheriff I plan on doing an anonymous web survey on the command staff and supervisors at all levels. I want leaders, not supervisors/managers. I will not tolerate supervisors who micromanage or want to stop proactively. I will have your backs. I will be out on patrol with you. The practice of not being a team player when you get promoted will stop.
Supervisors have admin duties I understand but being MIA or only available by phone will not be acceptable.

This goes at all levels and for detention deputies and civilians. I will listen but more importantly, I will change things for the better.

As I said before, I'm sure some command staff members will leave on their own after the election.

Recruitment and hiring will be a top priority. Placing more deputies in patrol is on the top of the list. I will evaluate each specialty unit and determine the best course of action for the agency.

Go to https://spikeforseminolesheriff.com/plan-for-scso-employees for more.

Detention deputies and civilians can reach out to me so we can solve your issues.

Thank you for doing this thankless job.

Stay safe,

Spike

How will your handle the many sub-par SGT's and LT's? I get Capt and above are easy to remove and change out. But SGT's and Lt's have civil service protections? Its not as a easy to simply demote and change them out. It can be done but are you willing to fight the fight. We have TERRIBLE ROAD SGT's in many regions which is why patrol has such terrible attitudes.

[Unregistered]

How will your handle the many sub-par SGT's and LT's? I get Capt and above are easy to remove and change out. But SGT's and Lt's have civil service protections? Its not as a easy to simply demote and change them out. It can be done but are you willing to fight the fight. We have TERRIBLE ROAD SGT's in many regions which is why patrol has such terrible attitudes.

A great quote from remember the titans, "Attitude Reflects Leadership."
https://youtu.be/guA_4AzXqh0?t=40

Their attitude is a reflection of of the folks above them. Either they've learned the micromanaging ways from their boss, or after years of the same- they've adopted the office space mentality of doing just enough not to get fired. I will tell you that most of your new Sergeants went into those positions with gusto and vigor. But they likely found that they were now under the supervision of probationary Lieutenants that were also worried about maintaining their own new positions--- Under a new captain that was doing the same. Day 1- all three levels of leadership were learning their new jobs. No one with enough clout in their role to say "hey boss I'm not sure that's a good idea." We used to move newly promoted Lieutenants to watch commander positions- rather than doing that they were promoted from echo to region commander. Again moving to a region commander was once the job you moved into after spending time as a watch commander getting used to your new leadership role. Instead we moved administrative Sergeants into probationary administrative Lieutenants. This is how the disconnect begins- you forget about the road when you never go back. So back to the original question- none of this change will happen overnight. Whether its under Sheriff Lemma or Sheriff Hopkins or Sheriff 2024. Leadership and direction must come from the top until it hits a barrier and that barrier should be fixed or eventually moved. *Also I recognize SCSO isn't all about "the road," however patrol is often the most visible example of how an agency is running. It is also unique that patrol, com ctr and the jail are the only 24/7 365 operations, meaning that they are running even when the boss is asleep or sipping Pina Colada's poolside rather than being a few doors down during office hours as many divisions run.

[Unregistered]

I don’t want to speak for him but based on what he’s said here and on his website, I firmly believe he will actually hold supervisors accountable for the people under them. Instead of just approving timesheets and having to decide which place they go for lunch, they’ll actually be invested in their people. They’ll lead by example and if they don’t, he will have what he needs to address their lack of performance.

[Unregistered]

Another mass exodus pending. Awesome.

[Unregistered]

Another mass exodus pending. Awesome.

Good if he scares away the turds then great!!

[Spike Hopkins]

I don’t want to speak for him but based on what he’s said here and on his website, I firmly believe he will actually hold supervisors accountable for the people under them. Instead of just approving timesheets and having to decide which place they go for lunch, they’ll actually be invested in their people. They’ll lead by example and if they don’t, he will have what he needs to address their lack of performance.

The above statement is absolutely right.

A mass exodus? No! There are too many SCSO employees who want leadership, timely decisions and two way communication. The majority of employees are loyal to the SCSO, not the staff. They will get a staff who is loyal to the employees and the SCSO. I want to move the SCSO in a positive direction. There are some who work there that have already shown they are here for themselves. That won't cut it. I will deal with each person on an individual basis. The employees have reached out to me not only to tell me about bad staff members but they have also told me about the staff who are leaders. (Sgt and above).

Being a leader I have to let everyone know what my expectations are from them. They can make the decision whether they want to be part of the BIG GREEN MACHINE or plan B.

Stay safe everyone!

[Unregistered]

And I'm sure you just bought all the BS that was being slung. You seem a little smarter than that...I hope.

[Spike Hopkins]

And I'm sure you just bought all the BS that was being slung. You seem a little smarter than that...I hope.

I am only expressing the concerns that current and for SCSO employees have told me. This includes numerous SCSO employees who left to work for other agencies.



Have a safe weekend everyone!

Spike

[Unregistered]

Gotta tell ya Spike, while I don’t know you personally, I couldn’t have been happier when I saw there was another candidate in the race. We need change and actual leadership that will be there for us. You got my vote.

[Unregistered]

Me too. I’m tired of being told “it’s what the sheriff wants” responses because supervisors can’t give a direct answer or even know how to stand up and support their troops. It doesn’t matter where you work we all see what’s happening. He wants to be re-elected and does not take care of his most valued resources. If he did he would have made changes years ago. The panic has set in and now things mysteriously are changing.

[Unregistered]

Good Riddance Dennis. It’s time for a real cop to run this agency that you have single handedly destroyed. The majority of agency members despise you and your lack of leadership. Maybe you can bring in Simon Sinek for a 1 on 1 motivational speech to help get you through the next 6 months.

Please vote this conceited, disingenuous, fake cop out of office Seminole County.

#Spike2020 #WeAreSCSO

[Unregistered]

Deputies, and civilians at SCSO are fed up! Bring to SCSO what we deserve Spike.

[Unregistered]

The reality is, Dennis will most likely be reelected. The public is more concerned with their own political leanings, comfort and has bought into the facade of security this agency has painted, and couldn't care less about the lives of our workers. Hell we're all to be sacrificed if necessary, isn't that what we signed up for? Dennis will then have two ways to go: become emboldened and double down on his established priorities and make it obvious he cares more about his own future career path and to hell with ours; or wipe the slate clean and start over with new priorities, and execute a plan to change.

This is the thing, he hasn't shown the talent (or willingness) to do this himself, nor is that talent around him to accomplish the latter; and he has already shown a complete non-willingness to make changes in the Captains to Chiefs ranks to acquire or promote that talent. Good ideas have been made, but never materialize due to that lack of talent and misplaced priorities or lack of support from the Captains to the Chief Deputy.

So here we'll be, continuing to ***** on this forum and nothing but lip service or a bait and switch (like the raises for higher benefit costs) is ever accomplished from the second floor. There is little confidence in the higher chain to do anything more than ride out their retirements comfortably, nor is more required of them. They will not take chances nor accept any ideas that challenge their comfort. So I challenge us all, continue to flood his office with fresh ideas and solutions that make sense and challenge the higher chain to fail again and again. Show him, where the hell in this agency the needed talent lies, or give him referrals to external sources where the talent is located.

Dennis, pay attention to the "whos" that fail to execute on your highest levels and freaking deal with them. It's painfully obvious to us, why are you so blind? Could it be your absenteeism and cronyism doesn't allow you to see clearly? How about forgetting the Hob Nobbing and networking and pandering and show up, and show us actual leadership. Help see to the success of your entire staff by making them execute. How about you concentrate on the internal campaign to win your employees back. By action damn it not words. Show us you can execute before November.

Lastly, my fellow employees, have a plan B for yourself and your family's sake. Mine's already in motion. Don't put all your eggs in the spike basket. I can't continue to work where I can't have confidence in them. It's been exhausting trying to make headway against an ignorant machine that has no clue how far short they fall and has no idea what to do about it. Having no idea, yet thinking they're so much smarter they won't listen. I'm just tired. Brothers and sisters be safe.

[Spike Hopkins]

The reality is, Dennis will most likely be reelected. The public is more concerned with their own political leanings, comfort and has bought into the facade of security this agency has painted, and couldn't care less about the lives of our workers. Hell we're all to be sacrificed if necessary, isn't that what we signed up for? Dennis will then have two ways to go: become emboldened and double down on his established priorities and make it obvious he cares more about his own future career path and to hell with ours; or wipe the slate clean and start over with new priorities, and execute a plan to change.

This is the thing, he hasn't shown the talent (or willingness) to do this himself, nor is that talent around him to accomplish the latter; and he has already shown a complete non-willingness to make changes in the Captains to Chiefs ranks to acquire or promote that talent. Good ideas have been made, but never materialize due to that lack of talent and misplaced priorities or lack of support from the Captains to the Chief Deputy.

So here we'll be, continuing to ***** on this forum and nothing but lip service or a bait and switch (like the raises for higher benefit costs) is ever accomplished from the second floor. There is little confidence in the higher chain to do anything more than ride out their retirements comfortably, nor is more required of them. They will not take chances nor accept any ideas that challenge their comfort. So I challenge us all, continue to flood his office with fresh ideas and solutions that make sense and challenge the higher chain to fail again and again. Show him, where the hell in this agency the needed talent lies, or give him referrals to external sources where the talent is located.

Dennis, pay attention to the "whos" that fail to execute on your highest levels and freaking deal with them. It's painfully obvious to us, why are you so blind? Could it be your absenteeism and cronyism doesn't allow you to see clearly? How about forgetting the Hob Nobbing and networking and pandering and show up, and show us actual leadership. Help see to the success of your entire staff by making them execute. How about you concentrate on the internal campaign to win your employees back. By action damn it not words. Show us you can execute before November.

Lastly, my fellow employees, have a plan B for yourself and your family's sake. Mine's already in motion. Don't put all your eggs in the spike basket. I can't continue to work where I can't have confidence in them. It's been exhausting trying to make headway against an ignorant machine that has no clue how far short they fall and has no idea what to do about it. Having no idea, yet thinking they're so much smarter they won't listen. I'm just tired. Brothers and sisters be safe.


Don't bow down! Don't give in! I would not enter this race if I thought I could not win. I'm retired and I'm not doing this for money or power. I'm doing this to keep my community safe and make SCSO the best agency it can be!

YOU have the opportunity to pick your boss. Don't settle for plan B. Empower yourself to pick your future. It's a sad fact most of you are afraid of retaliation if you support me. Get your friends and family to support me. Don't let your fears suppress your Constitutional right.

This campaign is not over. My fight to take care of the SCSO employees is far from over. I will fight for you until the bitter end. I've been told things are changing at the SCSO. I'm happy about that but remember this, it's an election year. What is going to happen the latter 3 years if Dennis is re-elected? My promises are for my term as sheriff. Not just for the election cycle.

I have so much support from the Republican, Democratic and non-partition voters. DON'T GIVE UP! Would you give up this easy if you were in the fight for your life? I hope not!!

Fight for what is right!

My family and I pray for all SCSO employees. The sworn deputies, detentions deputies and civilians alike.

Have a safe weekend!

Spike

[Unregistered]

I’m not giving up. If they want to change things they could with a stroke of a pen. They could look at all the forum posts, prior proposals, prior skip meetings (the best by far was being yelled at by a chief) or any other form that we were basically told we are complaining. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result. They know what needs to be changed but refuse to. We get lip service because he is planning his next option which has nothing to do with us. I bet next weeks meeting will be the same format. Talks of how he inherited these problems, it takes lots of time to fix these kinds of problems and if we just have faith and support him things will be better. You tell me that after all of our shot down proposals are magically approved after a rookie (no offense bro) submits the same proposal? Yah I’m not buying it. Things are changing only because of the obvious reasons. They know exactly what needs to be changed and when I see that being changed then I’ll consider changing my vote. Until then I’m all in for the new guy. Im not about to have him re-elected to then take a Tallahassee job and pass this off to one of the upper 28 and run this further into the ground. No thanks I’ll pass on that whirlpool of insanity.

[Unregistered]

I’m not giving up. If they want to change things they could with a stroke of a pen. They could look at all the forum posts, prior proposals, prior skip meetings (the best by far was being yelled at by a chief) or any other form that we were basically told we are complaining. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result. They know what needs to be changed but refuse to. We get lip service because he is planning his next option which has nothing to do with us. I bet next weeks meeting will be the same format. Talks of how he inherited these problems, it takes lots of time to fix these kinds of problems and if we just have faith and support him things will be better. You tell me that after all of our shot down proposals are magically approved after a rookie (no offense bro) submits the same proposal? Yah I’m not buying it. Things are changing only because of the obvious reasons. They know exactly what needs to be changed and when I see that being changed then I’ll consider changing my vote. Until then I’m all in for the new guy. Im not about to have him re-elected to then take a Tallahassee job and pass this off to one of the upper 28 and run this further into the ground. No thanks I’ll pass on that whirlpool of insanity.

Meeting next week?

[Unregistered]

I’m not giving up. If they want to change things they could with a stroke of a pen. They could look at all the forum posts, prior proposals, prior skip meetings (the best by far was being yelled at by a chief) or any other form that we were basically told we are complaining. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result. They know what needs to be changed but refuse to. We get lip service because he is planning his next option which has nothing to do with us. I bet next weeks meeting will be the same format. Talks of how he inherited these problems, it takes lots of time to fix these kinds of problems and if we just have faith and support him things will be better. You tell me that after all of our shot down proposals are magically approved after a rookie (no offense bro) submits the same proposal? Yah I’m not buying it. Things are changing only because of the obvious reasons. They know exactly what needs to be changed and when I see that being changed then I’ll consider changing my vote. Until then I’m all in for the new guy. Im not about to have him re-elected to then take a Tallahassee job and pass this off to one of the upper 28 and run this further into the ground. No thanks I’ll pass on that whirlpool of insanity.

If you go to the Proposals tab on SCSOnet, you see the majority are being implemented. Typical politician... Trying to gain his employees approval at last minute.

[Unregistered]

I’m not giving up. If they want to change things they could with a stroke of a pen. They could look at all the forum posts, prior proposals, prior skip meetings (the best by far was being yelled at by a chief) or any other form that we were basically told we are complaining. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result. They know what needs to be changed but refuse to. We get lip service because he is planning his next option which has nothing to do with us. I bet next weeks meeting will be the same format. Talks of how he inherited these problems, it takes lots of time to fix these kinds of problems and if we just have faith and support him things will be better. You tell me that after all of our shot down proposals are magically approved after a rookie (no offense bro) submits the same proposal? Yah I’m not buying it. Things are changing only because of the obvious reasons. They know exactly what needs to be changed and when I see that being changed then I’ll consider changing my vote. Until then I’m all in for the new guy. Im not about to have him re-elected to then take a Tallahassee job and pass this off to one of the upper 28 and run this further into the ground. No thanks I’ll pass on that whirlpool of insanity.

He won't do what it takes. It would mean considering and executing some of the following: demoting SL back to Sergeant (shouldn't have ever been promoted) and keeping him in corrections, demoting CL and hold her accountable to her new position, demoting the incompetent patrol captain back to sergeant and get some more experience under his belt, make LT retire, demote MC back to LT, demote DP back to LT, demote SB to manager, fire the CFO, make KB retire; every captain, lieutenant and sergeant needs to be evaluated for retention at where they're at. He ain't going to consider any of it, and the other poster is right, he will most likely be reelected. Maybe leaving should be plan A not B.

[Unregistered]

He won't do what it takes. It would mean considering and executing some of the following: demoting SL back to Sergeant (shouldn't have ever been promoted) and keeping him in corrections, demoting CL and hold her accountable to her new position, demoting the incompetent patrol captain back to sergeant and get some more experience under his belt, make LT retire, demote MC back to LT, demote DP back to LT, demote SB to manager, fire the CFO, make KB retire; every captain, lieutenant and sergeant needs to be evaluated for retention at where they're at. He ain't going to consider any of it, and the other poster is right, he will most likely be reelected. Maybe leaving should be plan A not B.

This list is way too short. Some people need their cheese moved to change their entitlement and attitude. JS, has been protected for so long, with her attitude.

Don’t tell me about “they are really good” about their job. How about this, stop treating people special and tell them to stop treating other people like ****.

[Unregistered]

He won't do what it takes. It would mean considering and executing some of the following: demoting SL back to Sergeant (shouldn't have ever been promoted) and keeping him in corrections, demoting CL and hold her accountable to her new position, demoting the incompetent patrol captain back to sergeant and get some more experience under his belt, make LT retire, demote MC back to LT, demote DP back to LT, demote SB to manager, fire the CFO, make KB retire; every captain, lieutenant and sergeant needs to be evaluated for retention at where they're at. He ain't going to consider any of it, and the other poster is right, he will most likely be reelected. Maybe leaving should be plan A not B.

Leaving aside the completely unrealistic idea of demoting SL (and SB) to Sgt due to civil service protections and your “forced retirements”, why in the world would you think the Sheriff would need to consider demoting his Chief of Staff? That is a position that requires the highest level of trust and confidence of the Sheriff with a fairly limited scope of command. Never mind the fact that MC has rarely placed a foot wrong in his career, let alone as CoS. That calls into question your other proposals.

[Unregistered]

Leaving aside the completely unrealistic idea of demoting SL (and SB) to Sgt due to civil service protections and your “forced retirements”, why in the world would you think the Sheriff would need to consider demoting his Chief of Staff? That is a position that requires the highest level of trust and confidence of the Sheriff with a fairly limited scope of command. Never mind the fact that MC has rarely placed a foot wrong in his career, let alone as CoS. That calls into question your other proposals.

Capt's have no Civil service protections. You can demote them back to their highest Civil Service position they previously held. MC is a joke of a cop he spent his career under peoples desks and kissing the ring. Its true he has rarely placed a foot doing anything LEO related.

[Unregistered]

Capt's have no Civil service protections. You can demote them back to their highest Civil Service position they previously held. MC is a joke of a cop he spent his career under peoples desks and kissing the ring. Its true he has rarely placed a foot doing anything LEO related.


MC is the only cop up there. He has more arrests then SNP combined right now. Yes he moved up fast, but he was a worker. There definitely needs to be changes in that suite, but he is the last one to worry about.

[Unregistered]

Instead of blasting all these people and projecting what you think the admin should do (or not do), let’s put all that energy to work and help make things better. We know that nothing is going to change without change itself. We’ve seen these kinds of posts and you have to ask yourself did anything change about those people? Were any of them retrained, reassigned or other? You know the answer. So channel all that frustration and get out there and campaign. Spike isn’t going to be elected by himself and he needs our help. It’s just like the 911 calls won’t answer themselves, the speeders won’t slow down on their own, inmates won’t fingerprint themselves and the criminals certainly won’t arrest themselves. We have to be proactive. We can and are change agents. This how we can challenge the process. Talk to your friends and anyone you see. Don’t just complain about how bad things are but rather show the facts and figures that are on his website. I’ve noticed that people seem to listen and really take note when they see that we support a change. Don’t worry about being “recognized”; with a hat, sunglasses and a face cover nobody can recognize you! If you don’t go do anything please don’t just sit there and post and fuel our frustrations. Go do that on social media. Help your brothers and sisters out.

[Unregistered]

I disagree. MC was a real cop and a good one. Cafe doesn’t lie.

[Unregistered]

Capt's have no Civil service protections. You can demote them back to their highest Civil Service position they previously held. MC is a joke of a cop he spent his career under peoples desks and kissing the ring. Its true he has rarely placed a foot doing anything LEO related.

Wow. Someone jumped on the bandwagon but didn't do the research. Please take a few moments and educate yourself about MC. Pretty sure when you do you will realize you will never stack up to him. Real cop? I am sure your 20 plus arrests a year put you in the top 10 percent for activity today, but when you crack 1000 arrests feel free to come back and tell us how MC never placed a foot doing anything LEO related. He is Admin now, but back in the day he was a Cop's Cop! Do we have problems here, yes we do. Do we have people in positions they shouldn't be, yes we do. What we don't need are baseless attacks on people who have walked the walk. I can only imaging there must be an axe to grind.

[Unregistered]

Instead of blasting all these people and projecting what you think the admin should do (or not do), let’s put all that energy to work and help make things better. We know that nothing is going to change without change itself. We’ve seen these kinds of posts and you have to ask yourself did anything change about those people? Were any of them retrained, reassigned or other? You know the answer. So channel all that frustration and get out there and campaign. Spike isn’t going to be elected by himself and he needs our help. It’s just like the 911 calls won’t answer themselves, the speeders won’t slow down on their own, inmates won’t fingerprint themselves and the criminals certainly won’t arrest themselves. We have to be proactive. We can and are change agents. This how we can challenge the process. Talk to your friends and anyone you see. Don’t just complain about how bad things are but rather show the facts and figures that are on his website. I’ve noticed that people seem to listen and really take note when they see that we support a change. Don’t worry about being “recognized”; with a hat, sunglasses and a face cover nobody can recognize you! If you don’t go do anything please don’t just sit there and post and fuel our frustrations. Go do that on social media. Help your brothers and sisters out.

I couldn't agree more with this post. If you want to see change make it happen. Have you donated to Spikes campaign, or had friends do it? Share his videos, website and facebook...spread the word tell the common folks about why the change is necessary. Spike can't do this without help, and if you do nothing to help make a change you really are setting us all up to deal with 4 more years of the incompetent leadership that has made us all miserable . It's funny how the higher ups are trying to make changes that Spike has openly spoken about wanting to bring to SCSO. What a slap in the face. It takes your position as sheriff and chiefs being threatened to start doing what's right? Too little too late! Spike isn't phoney, he has no hidden agenda, he isn't trying to use this place as a stepping stone to get to Tallahassee. His heart is in it for us. We are so lucky he decided to run to save this place. The least we can do is fight for him. #letsmakeithappen

[Unregistered]

Capt's have no Civil service protections. You can demote them back to their highest Civil Service position they previously held. MC is a joke of a cop he spent his career under peoples desks and kissing the ring. Its true he has rarely placed a foot doing anything LEO related.

So how are you busting them down to Sgt since they were both LT’s?!? Just cause you want to doesn’t fly. As to MC it seems others have corrected you, though feel free to post your arrest stats compared to his! Your entire post just looks like sour grapes now.

[Unregistered]

Y’all are wasting time worrying about stats. Even Eslinger and Harriet didn’t have arrest stats as command staff. I’m sure if you want to waste your time fact checking stats I’m sure you’ll see all the command staff stats went down as they went higher up. It’s a natural progression. Some definitely have higher stats than others. Leadership certainly isn’t stat driven. Either way their stats will be ill relevant after November. I know people that are great leaders that are in areas that can’t have stats. I know people that have high stats that are completely worthless. Leadership is principal driven and led by example on purpose and for a purpose. As the other poster said about a slap in the face is 100% correct. Their panicking about this competition and they’re doing whatever they can to keep us quiet and temporarily happy. Orange County and Orlando just blasted their command staff and lack of leadership. Do you think we’ll get a survey that the media can go through like them? Do you think any of these temporary changes couldn’t be rescinded if he remains in office? Stop your tit for tat and go make some stats for Spike.

[Spike Hopkins]

Hi everyone,

I hope you're staying safe. I've noticed a lot of posts about demoting different people. Just remember, this will never happen of there is no change in command.

If you truly want the change then help me get elected. I need your help on getting the message out. If you're worried, have your friends, neighbors or family get involved. Go to my web site and sign up. Get a lot of these people to donate a little money. I can't do with without you and vice versa.


Please keep you heads up!

Spike

[Spike Hopkins]

If this does not motivate you, I don't know what will.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=twL-eIS7cr0

[Spike Hopkins]

If this does not motivate you, I don't know what will.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=twL-eIS7cr0

Oops, that link did not work. Try this one.

https://youtu.be/QSKgItq-0Dc

[Unregistered]

Sounds like you have our back. I’m all in. I don’t want to be a statistic. I’m a afraid to even do my job since I don’t feel like anyone supports me.

[Unregistered]

Well when you have a Sgt that has 2 arrests to her name I’m sure you are on the fast track to a supervisory position. I’m sure if we did a stat check of the command staff 28 we’d have pages and pages of stats. Both arrests and even traffic stops. And for the record disabled vehicles don’t count as a stat because some command staff like calling them out but not others.....KB. How many arrests KB? Campaign manager please justify how many arrests you’ve had as well as DL. Also please list the years the arrests occurred. 2020-0, 2019-0,2018-0, should I keep going?

[Unregistered]

Well when you have a Sgt that has 2 arrests to her name I’m sure you are on the fast track to a supervisory position. I’m sure if we did a stat check of the command staff 28 we’d have pages and pages of stats. Both arrests and even traffic stops. And for the record disabled vehicles don’t count as a stat because some command staff like calling them out but not others.....KB. How many arrests KB? Campaign manager please justify how many arrests you’ve had as well as DL. Also please list the years the arrests occurred. 2020-0, 2019-0,2018-0, should I keep going?

Ok, I will ask who is KB and what area/unit does this person in?

[Unregistered]

Well when you have a Sgt that has 2 arrests to her name I’m sure you are on the fast track to a supervisory position. I’m sure if we did a stat check of the command staff 28 we’d have pages and pages of stats. Both arrests and even traffic stops. And for the record disabled vehicles don’t count as a stat because some command staff like calling them out but not others.....KB. How many arrests KB? Campaign manager please justify how many arrests you’ve had as well as DL. Also please list the years the arrests occurred. 2020-0, 2019-0,2018-0, should I keep going?

Your post is so hard to follow, were you drinking when you wrote it? If not, it doesn't matter how many arrests you have, if your PC narratives look anything like this, none of them stuck. As far as arrests being a metric for anything in leadership, that’s a pretty weak measure, especially as it relates to KB given he is a Captain over Probation. Besides, why pick on KB? This is about the Sheriff’s election and he ain’t running sonny.

[Unregistered]

Ok, I will ask who is KB and what area/unit does this person in?

Might be K Beacham

[Unregistered]

When will you all learn that stats are not the failure of this place? Stats verbiage is as cliche as “the new normal”. Ask yourself why when things were known to be problems they haven’t been addressed? Ask why after years of meetings, committees, and other formats this place continues to decline. Ask why is there is no ownership for the way things have become?

[Unregistered]

Your post is so hard to follow, were you drinking when you wrote it? If not, it doesn't matter how many arrests you have, if your PC narratives look anything like this, none of them stuck. As far as arrests being a metric for anything in leadership, that’s a pretty weak measure, especially as it relates to KB given he is a Captain over Probation. Besides, why pick on KB? This is about the Sheriff’s election and he ain’t running sonny.

I agree! That post was poorly structured. Stats aren't the end all be all when it comes to leadership, however having the hands on experience of doing the job is beneficial in many ways. If your use of force is being critiqued the following week, would you rather it be critiqued by someone who has been there done that or by someone that the only resistance they have experienced is buttoning their pants in the morning? I also believe people genuinely respect the first person more, at least to start. Respect is earned not promoted into. At the end of the day, we are all people and it doesn't matter what rank you have achieved. Go to any profession or company and promote or hire someone for upper management with little to no experience within either the company or something equivalent and see how much respect they will get from the day to day grinders.

[Unregistered]

We don’t need to sit here and vent and call out people in hopes that the admin will take note of their lack of performance. They already know their flaws and yet they stay idle and disconnected while we sank lower and lower.

Like the other one said stop jaw jacking here and go do something about it. Email spike and ask him your questions, email him and ask how you can help, email him your concerns. He will tell you direct answers. I firmly believe there will be no bait and switch or temporary promises. If you ask him questions he’ll give you answers. Nothing watered down or skating the truth or even excuses.

If you enjoyed the last few years, stay here and keep whining about things that won’t be changed. If those people remain in their same positions, the next few years will be even greater than these past few years.

They had years to make a change and failed to do so. Do your own litmus test. Is anything going to really change? How many more excuses and shuffle steps do you need to see and hear? We now have three months to make a change and show them what we can do and that we deserve true leadership.

Open your eyes and see that forest through all of those trees.

[Jay75]

blah blah blah... Here comes the promises of more money, more benefits, and everything else to sell us on this guy. This was his MO when he lost in OC. We're good with the Sheriff we've got now. Thanks but no thanks

You sound like you’re one of the many civilian chiefs or directors that are beat buds with the current sheriff. The ones he put into place to help his friends and big money donors out. The one’s that took spots away from well deserving command staff members that worked hard over decades to rise up the ranks and make the agency better. We can sling dirt if you want, but that’s only because your boy is scared and knows he hasn’t done well for the citizens of Seminole County. It’s time for change.

[Unregistered]

Y’all are wasting time worrying about stats. Even Eslinger and Harriet didn’t have arrest stats as command staff. I’m sure if you want to waste your time fact checking stats I’m sure you’ll see all the command staff stats went down as they went higher up. It’s a natural progression. Some definitely have higher stats than others. Leadership certainly isn’t stat driven. Either way their stats will be ill relevant after November. I know people that are great leaders that are in areas that can’t have stats. I know people that have high stats that are completely worthless. Leadership is principal driven and led by example on purpose and for a purpose. As the other poster said about a slap in the face is 100% correct. Their panicking about this competition and they’re doing whatever they can to keep us quiet and temporarily happy. Orange County and Orlando just blasted their command staff and lack of leadership. Do you think we’ll get a survey that the media can go through like them? Do you think any of these temporary changes couldn’t be rescinded if he remains in office? Stop your tit for tat and go make some stats for Spike.

OPD and OCSO blasted their respective department heads because they don’t have their cops backs. Neither does your suit wearing sheriff in Seminole. He’s a politician and not a cop. He’s always been that way. Arrogant and only out for him. SCSO is a stepping stone for him to go to a state or federal job. He’s barely if ever in uniform and out on the streets with you. Spike will make a point of getting out there and helping you keep Seminole safe. He’s not afraid like others we know.

[Unregistered]

You have my vote Spike.

So many miserable people in NR and SR. Unreal. You can hear it in their voices.

[Unregistered]

Is it true that DL has been offered jobs outside of the agency? If DL loses the election wouldn't that hurt his credibility? Is he going to drop out of the race and take the job? If he wins is he leaving his position early to take another job?

I'm curious if this is true.

[Unregistered]

Is it true that DL has been offered jobs outside of the agency? If DL loses the election wouldn't that hurt his credibility? Is he going to drop out of the race and take the job? If he wins is he leaving his position early to take another job?

I'm curious if this is true.

Fact checked. Is true.

[Unregistered]

Fact checked. Is true.

It's not true at all. Your "fact checking" is 100% wrong. If you want the truth, just ask him directly.

[Unregistered]

It's not true at all. Your "fact checking" is 100% wrong. If you want the truth, just ask him directly.

Y'all will put me down for supporting the Sheriff but I do and I'm proud of it. He has done great things for me and my family. I know he is not going anywhere. I have known him for many years and worked with me before he was "the brass". He is a great man and keeps to his word. He isn't going anywhere other than being the Sheriff for 4 more years and all of that "fact checked" crap ain't right. You are just trying to stir up stuff that ain't right and you know it. Call me names and put me down but I'm proud to do what is right by standing by my sheriff. A lot of you will never be happy no matter what. I'm tucked away in my cube as a civilian and love what I do and who I work for. Sheriff Lemma stood by me and my family during some hard times. He is the best Sheriff in the state and for us. Stop saying all of this bad stuff that you know aint' true.

[Spike Hopkins]

It's not true at all. Your "fact checking" is 100% wrong. If you want the truth, just ask him directly.

The week I registered to run for sheriff, I spoke to Dennis on the phone. It was was a good conversation and I told him my run was not personal, but I thought I had a better plan to run the SCSO.

Because of rumors, I asked him about him leaving mid term for another position. He told me he had no plans to do that. Though he was honest he has plans after his SCSO career, he would not leave early.

I have no reason to not believe him.

So as far as this rumor goes, I consider it closed.

Thank you for doing this thankless job and stay safe.

Spike

[Spike Hopkins]

Tonight at 5:00 p.m. I will be interviewed by the Casselberry Chamber of Commerce. This is a 30-minute long interview with various questions about my candidacy. Click on the link below to go to their Facebook page to watch it live.

https://www.facebook.com/cassFLchamber**

Thanks and stay safe,

Spike

[Spike Hopkims]

Just to let you know, I plan on reducing your work to 80 hours. You pay check will not be effected. So in essence, you get a raise right off the bat.

This is for all employees, sworn and civilian.

Thank you for doing this thankless job.

Spike

[Unregistered]

Just to let you know, I plan on reducing your work to 80 hours. You pay check will not be effected. So in essence, you get a raise right off the bat.

This is for all employees, sworn and civilian.

Thank you for doing this thankless job.

Spike

Who is Spike Hopkims?

[Unregistered]

Just to let you know, I plan on reducing your work to 80 hours. You pay check will not be effected. So in essence, you get a raise right off the bat.

This is for all employees, sworn and civilian.

Thank you for doing this thankless job.

Spike

How does this plan work? Are you planning to change the shifts? 2 x 12=24 one week then 5 x 12= 60 the next for a total of 84 hours. Or will it still be a 84 hour paycheck with 4 hours of OT built in? This is a nice thought but we dont have a swing shift like OC as much as a mid shift or a 8 hour fill in would be nice. How do you purpose to accomplish this with the already short staffing we have?

[Unregistered]

Spike,

You really need to do some research. Gonna get us Tasers, Laptops and an App? You realize we have all of those things already, even an app for the schools. I really want to like you but it seems like you are a millennial job candidate who hasn't prepared for the job interview. I've hear tell you want to outfit all the cars with defibrillators.(Somebody tell him we already have those) Perhaps the best of all is the claim that we have just as many shootings in Seminole County as Orange County. Seriously? Do you really believe that? Do you really think our "crack" PIO team covers them up? Someone once told me to stop before I say something and think about it for a moment. I suggest you do the same.

[Unregistered]

Spike

Was that your RV you were in tonight? Is that a Class A or a Class C you were in?

[Unregistered]

Watch out, Ed McDonough, RETIRED DEPUTY, is about to break out the old flip phone and start defending Spike.

[Unregistered]

Spike,
I had a chance to watch your interview with the Casselberry Chamber of Commerce and I have to say I was disappointed. I have been impressed with your demeanor during this race and what appeared to be a desire to keep it clean. I support the Sheriff but we live in a democracy and opposition is a fact of life. You are, by all accounts a cops cop. However, what I saw tonight was anything but clean.

First, you call Sheriff Lemma a banker, cause if he doesn’t wear his greens on a daily basis he isn’t a real cop, he’s a “banker” not a Sheriff. Do you feel the same way about investigators who go 10-8 in a suit and tie? Are they not real cops? I guess I oughta stay in SNP then. Or maybe he wears a suit because part of the Sheriff’s job is reaching out to parts of the community where a traditional uniform may be intimidating, wrongly or rightly. Also, you said that you would be out on patrol something like 2-4 times a month if I remember right. That simply doesn’t make dollars and sense. Maybe you can say the Undersheriff or the Chiefs should be out once a month (though I’m not sure that makes a ton of sense either) but the Sheriff is paid $150,000/yr. How can you convince yourself, or more importantly a tax payer (speaking of which, it looked like you were in an RV, do you actually live in Seminole or is that the house in the country you sold?) that it makes sense to have the Sheriff do 4 shifts a month at almost 4Xs the salary of a new deputy? The Sheriff’s job is to set policy and lead the agency, not make arrests. If the Sheriff thinks it makes sense to occasionally jump in a green and white, great, I’d love him to ride around in my CSA and see what I deal with on a weekly basis. But I don’t expect him to do my job.

Additionally, you say Sheriff Lemma is an absentee Sheriff because he traveled for 85 days in 15 months. That’s a strange number of months to rely on, maybe because there were multiple large conferences in that period, and if you’d selected 12 months it would’ve been less? Aren’t these Conferences where the Sheriff is expected to attend? Like the FSA Meeting, the National Sheriffs Association and Major County Sheriffs. Organizations that shape and guide the direction of law enforcement statewide and nationwide. Seminole County is not an island, we need connections and relationships throughout the State and Country to accomplish our mission. Relationships like the ones Sheriff Lemma has cultivated with the AG, the Governor, the First Lady, and the list goes on. Relationships that will be even more valuable in the coming years as we face a statewide budget crunch due to COVID. I remember when DE was going all over the state and I didn’t understand why, but I didn’t understand things like a I do now having done the job for longer and gotten some perspective. I don’t mind the Sheriff isn’t always here to hold my hand because I don’t need it. Maybe some of the people complaining do? I’ve been all around the agency and aside from the complaining, we are doing pretty good.

BTW Your numbers on staffing are wrong. I think you are getting your information from people who either aren’t with the agency any longer or don’t know enough to advise you right. It is just not true that 1/3 of the newly sworn deputies will be going to the jail.

Also, we have had a 911 app at the schools for over a year. And, to cut you off at the pass, we’ve already moved to semi-auto pistols, we ditched the wheel guns. If I were you, I’d steer clear of being critical of our school Captain and that area all together. Captain RF is a state recognized expert on School Safety. We also aren’t down 7 deputies in the schools. I don’t know who told you that, but it’s bad info too. We have over hired and are one of the only agencies in Central Florida who is fully staffed.

Finally, the crime. You mention that a spike in crime (sorry for the pun) is coming. I can’t see the future but I know the numbers don’t show that, actually Seminole has the lowest crime rate it has EVER had and with MORE people than it’s ever had. Oh yeah, if you have a problem with KC, BK, or BB maybe you should make that public since I know for a fact our PIO’s are completely open with the media and the public.

[Unregistered]

Spike,

You really need to do some research. Gonna get us Tasers, Laptops and an App? You realize we have all of those things already, even an app for the schools. I really want to like you but it seems like you are a millennial job candidate who hasn't prepared for the job interview. I've hear tell you want to outfit all the cars with defibrillators.(Somebody tell him we already have those) Perhaps the best of all is the claim that we have just as many shootings in Seminole County as Orange County. Seriously? Do you really believe that? Do you really think our "crack" PIO team covers them up? Someone once told me to stop before I say something and think about it for a moment. I suggest you do the same.

Don’t forget about the body cameras. Great idea which we already have.

[Unregistered]

Sounds like all the dinosaurs that hated the idea of 12 hr shifts because 12 hrs was more than their frail bodies could handle it are trolling!! What about the people that swore “semi-autos” suck because they jam all the time? Get my revolver and find me a pay phone to be a good cop! Oh wait what about the people that said we couldn’t scan statements and had to have original copies? Nothing stinks more than desperation!! Keep it coming!!

[Unregistered]

Sounds like all the dinosaurs that hated the idea of 12 hr shifts because 12 hrs was more than their frail bodies could handle it are trolling!! What about the people that swore “semi-autos” suck because they jam all the time? Get my revolver and find me a pay phone to be a good cop! Oh wait what about the people that said we couldn’t scan statements and had to have original copies? Nothing stinks more than desperation!! Keep it coming!!

I’m not even sure what you are trying to say. When we switched to 12 hour shifts we weren’t being promised something we already had. When we switched from revolvers we weren’t being promised something we already had.

Speaking of desperation, how about realizing only 15 people watched your sales pitch tonight to the public and then going to the blog to promise everyone a pay raise. Why wasn’t that promised to the 15 members of that public watching?

[Unregistered]

Spike,

You really need to do some research. Gonna get us Tasers, Laptops and an App? You realize we have all of those things already, even an app for the schools. I really want to like you but it seems like you are a millennial job candidate who hasn't prepared for the job interview. I've hear tell you want to outfit all the cars with defibrillators.(Somebody tell him we already have those) Perhaps the best of all is the claim that we have just as many shootings in Seminole County as Orange County. Seriously? Do you really believe that? Do you really think our "crack" PIO team covers them up? Someone once told me to stop before I say something and think about it for a moment. I suggest you do the same.

None of what you are saying makes sense. I watched the interview tonight. SPIKE never said he was getting Tasers for SCSO. He never said he was getting Laptops. He was asked about his professional accomplishments and he was explaining that he STARTED the Taser program in OCSO. He said he CREATED the in car computer program. He also never said Seminole had as many shootings as Orange County. Also the App Seminole has Sucks to say the least. So bad that very little people have it downloaded. It doesn't he have the ability to do half of the things his App wants to do. So before you start slamming someone maybe YOU should do YOUR research. But its ok we have an administrator who's only claim to fame is jumping on the opioid train and riding it to Tallahassee. Well that train derailed along time ago and your then idiot still on board 🙄
#spikeforsheriff

[Unregistered]

Spike,

You really need to do some research. Gonna get us Tasers, Laptops and an App? You realize we have all of those things already, even an app for the schools. I really want to like you but it seems like you are a millennial job candidate who hasn't prepared for the job interview. I've hear tell you want to outfit all the cars with defibrillators.(Somebody tell him we already have those) Perhaps the best of all is the claim that we have just as many shootings in Seminole County as Orange County. Seriously? Do you really believe that? Do you really think our "crack" PIO team covers them up? Someone once told me to stop before I say something and think about it for a moment. I suggest you do the same.

In the interview Spike was asked about his professional accomplishments. He didn't say he was getting SCSO Tasers. He did not say he was getting SCSO laptops. He stated he CREATED the Taser program with OCSO He CREATED the in car computer program at OCSO.
As far as the app goes the one in Seminole sucks to say the least hardly anybody has it downloaded and it doesn't do half of the things his app will do.

Also your other misinformation is he never said Seminole has as many shootings as Orange. Are you just making this stuff up?

But its ok we have an administrator that his only claim to fame is the opioid train he is trying to ride all the way to Tallahassee. That train derailed a while ago and your still on it.

Before you start slamming someone, do YOUR research. Spike actually has real life ideas to improve our situation its mind boggling the people on here that have to make shit up to try and make him look bad because the truth is, DL hasn't has a good idea since.......ever.

[Unregistered]

Spike,
I had a chance to watch your interview with the Casselberry Chamber of Commerce and I have to say I was disappointed. I have been impressed with your demeanor during this race and what appeared to be a desire to keep it clean. I support the Sheriff but we live in a democracy and opposition is a fact of life. You are, by all accounts a cops cop. However, what I saw tonight was anything but clean.

First, you call Sheriff Lemma a banker, cause if he doesn’t wear his greens on a daily basis he isn’t a real cop, he’s a “banker” not a Sheriff. Do you feel the same way about investigators who go 10-8 in a suit and tie? Are they not real cops? I guess I oughta stay in SNP then. Or maybe he wears a suit because part of the Sheriff’s job is reaching out to parts of the community where a traditional uniform may be intimidating, wrongly or rightly. Also, you said that you would be out on patrol something like 2-4 times a month if I remember right. That simply doesn’t make dollars and sense. Maybe you can say the Undersheriff or the Chiefs should be out once a month (though I’m not sure that makes a ton of sense either) but the Sheriff is paid $150,000/yr. How can you convince yourself, or more importantly a tax payer (speaking of which, it looked like you were in an RV, do you actually live in Seminole or is that the house in the country you sold?) that it makes sense to have the Sheriff do 4 shifts a month at almost 4Xs the salary of a new deputy? The Sheriff’s job is to set policy and lead the agency, not make arrests. If the Sheriff thinks it makes sense to occasionally jump in a green and white, great, I’d love him to ride around in my CSA and see what I deal with on a weekly basis. But I don’t expect him to do my job.

Additionally, you say Sheriff Lemma is an absentee Sheriff because he traveled for 85 days in 15 months. That’s a strange number of months to rely on, maybe because there were multiple large conferences in that period, and if you’d selected 12 months it would’ve been less? Aren’t these Conferences where the Sheriff is expected to attend? Like the FSA Meeting, the National Sheriffs Association and Major County Sheriffs. Organizations that shape and guide the direction of law enforcement statewide and nationwide. Seminole County is not an island, we need connections and relationships throughout the State and Country to accomplish our mission. Relationships like the ones Sheriff Lemma has cultivated with the AG, the Governor, the First Lady, and the list goes on. Relationships that will be even more valuable in the coming years as we face a statewide budget crunch due to COVID. I remember when DE was going all over the state and I didn’t understand why, but I didn’t understand things like a I do now having done the job for longer and gotten some perspective. I don’t mind the Sheriff isn’t always here to hold my hand because I don’t need it. Maybe some of the people complaining do? I’ve been all around the agency and aside from the complaining, we are doing pretty good.

BTW Your numbers on staffing are wrong. I think you are getting your information from people who either aren’t with the agency any longer or don’t know enough to advise you right. It is just not true that 1/3 of the newly sworn deputies will be going to the jail.

Also, we have had a 911 app at the schools for over a year. And, to cut you off at the pass, we’ve already moved to semi-auto pistols, we ditched the wheel guns. If I were you, I’d steer clear of being critical of our school Captain and that area all together. Captain RF is a state recognized expert on School Safety. We also aren’t down 7 deputies in the schools. I don’t know who told you that, but it’s bad info too. We have over hired and are one of the only agencies in Central Florida who is fully staffed.

Finally, the crime. You mention that a spike in crime (sorry for the pun) is coming. I can’t see the future but I know the numbers don’t show that, actually Seminole has the lowest crime rate it has EVER had and with MORE people than it’s ever had. Oh yeah, if you have a problem with KC, BK, or BB maybe you should make that public since I know for a fact our PIO’s are completely open with the media and the public.

Now we have the PIO’s blogging? This is great!
PS-according to open the books DL makes more than 150k!

[Unregistered]

In the interview Spike was asked about his professional accomplishments. He didn't say he was getting SCSO Tasers. He did not say he was getting SCSO laptops. He stated he CREATED the Taser program with OCSO He CREATED the in car computer program at OCSO.
As far as the app goes the one in Seminole sucks to say the least hardly anybody has it downloaded and it doesn't do half of the things his app will do.

Also your other misinformation is he never said Seminole has as many shootings as Orange. Are you just making this stuff up?

But its ok we have an administrator that his only claim to fame is the opioid train he is trying to ride all the way to Tallahassee. That train derailed a while ago and your still on it.

Before you start slamming someone, do YOUR research. Spike actually has real life ideas to improve our situation its mind boggling the people on here that have to make shit up to try and make him look bad because the truth is, DL hasn't has a good idea since.......ever.

Body cameras?

[Unregistered]

I’m not even sure what you are trying to say. When we switched to 12 hour shifts we weren’t being promised something we already had. When we switched from revolvers we weren’t being promised something we already had.

Speaking of desperation, how about realizing only 15 people watched your sales pitch tonight to the public and then going to the blog to promise everyone a pay raise. Why wasn’t that promised to the 15 members of that public watching?
Yea 5pm on Monday what do you expect. It wasn't meant to be a large live audience. I just saw that they have the interview saved on their website for people to watch through out the week. You are wondering why he didn't say certain things on this tonight? You can really only fit so much info into the time allowed. Still better than what we have!

[Unregistered]

Here’s a great idea we should pitch...let’s send the pio’s to the academy so they can be the “police”. Oh wait that already happened and failed with other civilian positions.

I know some uniformed positions without bwc. I know detectives that work off duty (some in uniform some not) and I have yet to see any with a bwc. Especially when taking enforcement action. Rules only apply to who they want them to apply.

[Unregistered]

Here’s a great idea we should pitch...let’s send the pio’s to the academy so they can be the “police”. Oh wait that already happened and failed with other civilian positions.

I know some uniformed positions without bwc. I know detectives that work off duty (some in uniform some not) and I have yet to see any with a bwc. Especially when taking enforcement action. Rules only apply to who they want them to apply.

Thanks for clarifying that Spike is going to get BWC for detectives. Understood.

[Unregistered]

So a detective conducting a traffic stop or enforcement action is held to a different standard than a patrol deputy doing the same exact thing?

Please elaborate and help us understand why you should be treated differently.

[Ed McDonough]

Spike does not need me to defend him. He can do that himself. By the way, you did not have the guts to sign your name again. But I think I know who you are. You are someone I used to work with in the old District 5. If I remember correctly, I told you to get off the shift and transfer because I did not trust you. Maybe I am wrong but I don't think so.

[Unregistered]

So a detective conducting a traffic stop or enforcement action is held to a different standard than a patrol deputy doing the same exact thing?

Please elaborate and help us understand why you should be treated differently.

Because my primary job is following up on cases, not making traffic stops.

[Unregistered]

I’m not even sure what you are trying to say. When we switched to 12 hour shifts we weren’t being promised something we already had. When we switched from revolvers we weren’t being promised something we already had.

Speaking of desperation, how about realizing only 15 people watched your sales pitch tonight to the public and then going to the blog to promise everyone a pay raise. Why wasn’t that promised to the 15 members of that public watching?

We were also promised to be told exactly why JZ was fired due to what was allegedly said on his body worn camera. But somehow it was mysteriously withheld. Wonder why I am scared to have a body worn camera? I do investigations not enforcement.

[Unregistered]

Spike does not need me to defend him. He can do that himself. By the way, you did not have the guts to sign your name again. But I think I know who you are. You are someone I used to work with in the old District 5. If I remember correctly, I told you to get off the shift and transfer because I did not trust you. Maybe I am wrong but I don't think so.

Ed. I’ve got news for you there was way more than one person in District 5 who didn’t and still don’t like you.

Since you are so honest on here why don’t you tell everyone about the other people you recruited to run for Sheriff who turned you down before Spike accepted your offer. How many down the list was he? Does he know that?

[Unregistered]

Body cameras?
Every deputy does not have a body camera...correct? So what is your question exactly?

[Unregistered]

Spike,
I had a chance to watch your interview with the Casselberry Chamber of Commerce and I have to say I was disappointed. I have been impressed with your demeanor during this race and what appeared to be a desire to keep it clean. I support the Sheriff but we live in a democracy and opposition is a fact of life. You are, by all accounts a cops cop. However, what I saw tonight was anything but clean.

First, you call Sheriff Lemma a banker, cause if he doesn’t wear his greens on a daily basis he isn’t a real cop, he’s a “banker” not a Sheriff. Do you feel the same way about investigators who go 10-8 in a suit and tie? Are they not real cops? I guess I oughta stay in SNP then. Or maybe he wears a suit because part of the Sheriff’s job is reaching out to parts of the community where a traditional uniform may be intimidating, wrongly or rightly. Also, you said that you would be out on patrol something like 2-4 times a month if I remember right. That simply doesn’t make dollars and sense. Maybe you can say the Undersheriff or the Chiefs should be out once a month (though I’m not sure that makes a ton of sense either) but the Sheriff is paid $150,000/yr. How can you convince yourself, or more importantly a tax payer (speaking of which, it looked like you were in an RV, do you actually live in Seminole or is that the house in the country you sold?) that it makes sense to have the Sheriff do 4 shifts a month at almost 4Xs the salary of a new deputy? The Sheriff’s job is to set policy and lead the agency, not make arrests. If the Sheriff thinks it makes sense to occasionally jump in a green and white, great, I’d love him to ride around in my CSA and see what I deal with on a weekly basis. But I don’t expect him to do my job.

Additionally, you say Sheriff Lemma is an absentee Sheriff because he traveled for 85 days in 15 months. That’s a strange number of months to rely on, maybe because there were multiple large conferences in that period, and if you’d selected 12 months it would’ve been less? Aren’t these Conferences where the Sheriff is expected to attend? Like the FSA Meeting, the National Sheriffs Association and Major County Sheriffs. Organizations that shape and guide the direction of law enforcement statewide and nationwide. Seminole County is not an island, we need connections and relationships throughout the State and Country to accomplish our mission. Relationships like the ones Sheriff Lemma has cultivated with the AG, the Governor, the First Lady, and the list goes on. Relationships that will be even more valuable in the coming years as we face a statewide budget crunch due to COVID. I remember when DE was going all over the state and I didn’t understand why, but I didn’t understand things like a I do now having done the job for longer and gotten some perspective. I don’t mind the Sheriff isn’t always here to hold my hand because I don’t need it. Maybe some of the people complaining do? I’ve been all around the agency and aside from the complaining, we are doing pretty good.

BTW Your numbers on staffing are wrong. I think you are getting your information from people who either aren’t with the agency any longer or don’t know enough to advise you right. It is just not true that 1/3 of the newly sworn deputies will be going to the jail.

Also, we have had a 911 app at the schools for over a year. And, to cut you off at the pass, we’ve already moved to semi-auto pistols, we ditched the wheel guns. If I were you, I’d steer clear of being critical of our school Captain and that area all together. Captain RF is a state recognized expert on School Safety. We also aren’t down 7 deputies in the schools. I don’t know who told you that, but it’s bad info too. We have over hired and are one of the only agencies in Central Florida who is fully staffed.

Finally, the crime. You mention that a spike in crime (sorry for the pun) is coming. I can’t see the future but I know the numbers don’t show that, actually Seminole has the lowest crime rate it has EVER had and with MORE people than it’s ever had. Oh yeah, if you have a problem with KC, BK, or BB maybe you should make that public since I know for a fact our PIO’s are completely open with the media and the public.


I watched the video and what you reported couldn’t be further from the truth.

All I can say is that if a PIO wrote this, no wonder they aren’t a journalist anymore. Next time report on the new colony of comfort penguins discovered in the Sahara.

If a detective wrote this, your ROI is par for the course for a 1-2 year deputy that quickly goes to a specialty position. You probably clear all your cases quickly and have less than a 10% conviction rate.

If a command staff wrote this......you wrote very eloquently but again your report is full of lies and mistakes. If you want to keep the attention of us millennials and “people who aren’t going to make a career at SCSO” keep it short and sweet and truthful.

[Ed McDonough]

I never recruited Spike to run for Sheriff. He did that on his own. I never tried to recruit anyone to run for Sheriff. Since I have been retired for almost 12 years, I know very few people at the SCSO any longer. In fact, if you would like to talk to me about it, my cell phone number is 407-914-8835. That way, you do not have to continue hiding under the Unregistered term.
By the way, did the SCSO ever find the homeless man who stole your patrol vehicle?

[Unregistered]

I watched the video and what you reported couldn’t be further from the truth.

All I can say is that if a PIO wrote this, no wonder they aren’t a journalist anymore. Next time report on the new colony of comfort penguins discovered in the Sahara.

If a detective wrote this, your ROI is par for the course for a 1-2 year deputy that quickly goes to a specialty position. You probably clear all your cases quickly and have less than a 10% conviction rate.

If a command staff wrote this......you wrote very eloquently but again your report is full of lies and mistakes. If you want to keep the attention of us millennials and “people who aren’t going to make a career at SCSO” keep it short and sweet and truthful.

A blistering critique! The old “Everything that guy said is bullshit” Argument. Classic.

[Unregistered]

Because my primary job is following up on cases, not making traffic stops.
Your primary job is being a deputy sheriff. Who happens to be assigned to solving cases. Don't hold your help self to a higher standard

[Unregistered]

Your primary job is being a deputy sheriff. Who happens to be assigned to solving cases. Don't hold your help self to a higher standard

With that argument CCIB undercover agents should wear body cameras. That might make undercover work a challenge.

[Spike Hopkins]

Wow, where do I begin? I'll start with this post but try to include the others.

Dennis Lemma a banker. I had a citizen tell me this during my campaign. As the head of a law enforcement agency, I will wear the same uniform the women and men of our agency wears. (Do the generals in the Pentagon wear suits to seem less intimidating?)
As far as the detectives, when I become sheriff, I will address their attire. If they want to wear a professional polo style shirt and cargo pants, I have no problem with that.


As I stated in my interview when asked about my accomplishments, I started the Bicycle Patrol, TASER program and in car computer system. I never stated I was bringing this to the SCSO. Also, I have never stated I will put defibrillators in SCSO cars.


What does me going out on patrol or working at the jail have to do with the salary? First, I'm not running for a paycheck or a power status, I'm running to make the SCSO the premiere agency to work at and provide top notch service to the citizens. If I'm going to make decisions on how deputies do their job, I'm going to know how to do their job. You make no sense when you criticize me for wanting to go out twice a month on patrol then think its fine for me to come work in your CSA. (Though I don't believe you are working a CSA)

When I retired from the OCSO, we purchased a camper. Yes, we have traveled the nation during our retirement. Yes, I was in my camper during the interview. I have a residence, my primary residence, in Seminole County. Is there a problem with having a camper? A lot of cops do. (Was your statement supposed to be a diss?)

Dennis being MIA. This information was from a public records request. Theses are the only dates YOUR agency provided. I agree there are some meetings the sheriff should attend but, for example, to go to a FBINA reunion in Key West costing the tax payers over $2,000 is what I believe wasteful. Human Trafficking in DC. Did he really need to go? Why not your agency unit head who works human trafficking go? Is Dennis working human trafficking cases? These are just a few. Yes, he was gone 85 days in the last 15 months. Lets do the math. A work week is 5 days. This means 17 work weeks or in simpler terms, over 4 months. So, over 4 months being gone in 15 months is almost being gone approximately 1/3 of the time.

Seminole is not an island and needs connections. Ok, what does Bob Cortes do? Is this not his job? Why is he making $80.000 a year? (I'm not getting onto Bob. I met him years ago and have nothing against him. You can't blame him for Dennis giving him this job.)

You don't need the sheriff to hold your hand. I agree there but look what his absenteeism is causing. He tells the troops one thing, the staff changes it, and he's not there to override such decisions. The voters expect their sheriff to be in Seminole County as the sheriff, not using the SCSO as a stepping stone to further career advancements after his term.

Aside from all the complaining, we're doing good. This makes me think of the saying, Where there's smoke there's fire? What is your rank and position? The working men and women are not echoing your thoughts. Why have 149 deputies left your agency in the last 3 1/2 years? Several were of rank and went to other law agencies. Studies show pay is not the #1 issue for law enforcement. They want to be happy and treated well. They want leadership who can make decisions and in a timely manner? How long did it take to get baseball style caps approved? 2 years? They want a sheriff who will stand up for them when they are right and provide preemptive instructions on how he will back them up in certain situations. (Especially in the current climate when other LEOs are getting arrested for defending themselves.) This forum has been going on for quite a while, long before I entered the race. Have all the previous posts been lies? This forum is the only true place where deputies, detention deputies and employees can express their frustrations with the agency without retaliation. If things were so great, would they have any reason to come on here and lie? Also, talk a look at your self-initiated activities. I bet they are much lower than this time last year. What are your deputies worried about more, criminals or the administration not having their backs?

Staffing numbers are wrong. Again, If you're working in patrol, I'm impressed you know such information. First, please educate me in the staffing numbers. Second, of the 42 hired, I did not say 1/3 are going to the jail. I stated we all know 1/3 of new deputies will not pass their field training or will quit on their own. (What worries me are the trainees who are pushed through the field training program, even after your FTD's have recommended they are not. Also, you have new deputies training the new recruits. Lastly, you don't have enough FTDs in patrol to handle the new recruits. So, what kind of training will a new deputy get from an FTD who is forced out of a specialty unit, TDY, to train them? What if this FTD has not been in patrol for a while. We know alot can change on the road in a short time. Will these FTD's need training before they start training the new recruits. I don't say this as an insult to the FTD who have not been in patrol for some time) While we're on the staffing issue, I know for a fact their is a shortage in your patrol section. For example, on a recent Saturday, there were only 26 deputies 10-8 in the county. There were 37 city officers 10-8 at the same time. I also know the SCSO is asking city agencies to respond to calls for service in the county because of the lack of deputies. Tell me how many deputies were 10-8 on July forth in the North Region? 4 or 5? There have been several days there were only 5 deputies 10-8 in the North Region. Also, over $3,000,000 has been spent to hire OT deputies for patrol to fill the gaps. These positions are not always filled. Dennis claims the agency is at full staffing but on a full day, only 35 deputies patrol Seminole County. You can't deny you need more deputies in patrol, the backbone of the agency.



The school app. You use the Rave App. This has a panic button feature. A majority of the teachers do not have this on their phones. Most deputies do not have this on their phone. The school app i mentioned is more robust and has a better response time by law enforcement in case of an active shooter. I have met Capt. Rick Francis. He helped me out in a case when he was a Major Crimes Detective. My comments were never directed toward Rick. He was always professional and impressed me as a SCSO member.

Crime is on the way. Seminole County is growing too fast and the SCSO is not keeping up. Regarding your PIOs. I only know Bob Keeling. Doing PIO work in Orange County, he was a reporter with WESH. I have nothing but good things to say about him. You can't deny though there are violent crimes which occur in Seminole County which never make it to the news.

While I'm at it, there were several SCSO deputies who approached me to run for sheriff. I ran because of this and what SCSO is not ready for. This was not an easy decision. I left retirement to do this. If the SCSO was running smoothly, I would have no reason to run. This is not a Spike vs. Dennis race. My campaign is based on leading the SCSO in a direction to be prepared for what's ahead, leading by example and keeping my community and family safe. When I was an OCSO deputy, I was always impressed the SCSO deputies I met never complained about their agency and seemed happy. You always had great equipment and were quite professional. In the past few years this has changed. So, Ed was not the reason I ran. It would take more than one person to persuade me to leave my retirement and time away from my family to run for sheriff.

Body Cameras:
All uniform deputies will have body cameras. Anyone working off-duty will have cameras. Regarding the detectives and body cameras, if you're stopping a car or taking enforcement action. I want the body camera to protect you. I purchased my own body camera while at the OCSO. Not only was this great for evidentiary reasons, suppression hearings, it also captures the truth in case someone falsely complains on you.

Crime at an all time low
We all know, COVID has reduced crime in most parts of the country. So to claim crime is at an all time low is true but the fact is, crime is on it's way back.

I hope I have addressed most of these issues.

My family and I pray for all SCSO employees and thank you for giving back to your community.

Spike

[Spike Hopkins]

With that argument CCIB undercover agents should wear body cameras. That might make undercover work a challenge.

I would not have someone working UC wear the standard body cam. I know, without reveling too much, these cases are getting recorded.

[Unregistered]

Wow, where do I begin? I'll start with this post but try to include the others.

Dennis Lemma a banker. I had a citizen tell me this during my campaign. As the head of a law enforcement agency, I will wear the same uniform the women and men of our agency wears. (Do the generals in the Pentagon wear suits to seem less intimidating?)
As far as the detectives, when I become sheriff, I will address their attire. If they want to wear a professional polo style shirt and cargo pants, I have no problem with that.


As I stated in my interview when asked about my accomplishments, I started the Bicycle Patrol, TASER program and in car computer system. I never stated I was bringing this to the SCSO. Also, I have never stated I will put defibrillators in SCSO cars.


What does me going out on patrol or working at the jail have to do with the salary? First, I'm not running for a paycheck or a power status, I'm running to make the SCSO the premiere agency to work at and provide top notch service to the citizens. If I'm going to make decisions on how deputies do their job, I'm going to know how to do their job. You make no sense when you criticize me for wanting to go out twice a month on patrol then think its fine for me to come work in your CSA. (Though I don't believe you are working a CSA)

When I retired from the OCSO, we purchased a camper. Yes, we have traveled the nation during our retirement. Yes, I was in my camper during the interview. I have a residence, my primary residence, in Seminole County. Is there a problem with having a camper? A lot of cops do. (Was your statement supposed to be a diss?)

Dennis being MIA. This information was from a public records request. Theses are the only dates YOUR agency provided. I agree there are some meetings the sheriff should attend but, for example, to go to a FBINA reunion in Key West costing the tax payers over $2,000 is what I believe wasteful. Human Trafficking in DC. Did he really need to go? Why not your agency unit head who works human trafficking go? Is Dennis working human trafficking cases? These are just a few. Yes, he was gone 85 days in the last 15 months. Lets do the math. A work week is 5 days. This means 17 work weeks or in simpler terms, over 4 months. So, over 4 months being gone in 15 months is almost being gone approximately 1/3 of the time.

Seminole is not an island and needs connections. Ok, what does Bob Cortes do? Is this not his job? Why is he making $80.000 a year? (I'm not getting onto Bob. I met him years ago and have nothing against him. You can't blame him for Dennis giving him this job.)

You don't need the sheriff to hold your hand. I agree there but look what his absenteeism is causing. He tells the troops one thing, the staff changes it, and he's not there to override such decisions. The voters expect their sheriff to be in Seminole County as the sheriff, not using the SCSO as a stepping stone to further career advancements after his term.

Aside from all the complaining, we're doing good. This makes me think of the saying, Where there's smoke there's fire? What is your rank and position? The working men and women are not echoing your thoughts. Why have 149 deputies left your agency in the last 3 1/2 years? Several were of rank and went to other law agencies. Studies show pay is not the #1 issue for law enforcement. They want to be happy and treated well. They want leadership who can make decisions and in a timely manner? How long did it take to get baseball style caps approved? 2 years? They want a sheriff who will stand up for them when they are right and provide preemptive instructions on how he will back them up in certain situations. (Especially in the current climate when other LEOs are getting arrested for defending themselves.) This forum has been going on for quite a while, long before I entered the race. Have all the previous posts been lies? This forum is the only true place where deputies, detention deputies and employees can express their frustrations with the agency without retaliation. If things were so great, would they have any reason to come on here and lie? Also, talk a look at your self-initiated activities. I bet they are much lower than this time last year. What are your deputies worried about more, criminals or the administration not having their backs?

Staffing numbers are wrong. Again, If you're working in patrol, I'm impressed you know such information. First, please educate me in the staffing numbers. Second, of the 42 hired, I did not say 1/3 are going to the jail. I stated we all know 1/3 of new deputies will not pass their field training or will quit on their own. (What worries me are the trainees who are pushed through the field training program, even after your FTD's have recommended they are not. Also, you have new deputies training the new recruits. Lastly, you don't have enough FTDs in patrol to handle the new recruits. So, what kind of training will a new deputy get from an FTD who is forced out of a specialty unit, TDY, to train them? What if this FTD has not been in patrol for a while. We know alot can change on the road in a short time. Will these FTD's need training before they start training the new recruits. I don't say this as an insult to the FTD who have not been in patrol for some time) While we're on the staffing issue, I know for a fact their is a shortage in your patrol section. For example, on a recent Saturday, there were only 26 deputies 10-8 in the county. There were 37 city officers 10-8 at the same time. I also know the SCSO is asking city agencies to respond to calls for service in the county because of the lack of deputies. Tell me how many deputies were 10-8 on July forth in the North Region? 4 or 5? There have been several days there were only 5 deputies 10-8 in the North Region. Also, over $3,000,000 has been spent to hire OT deputies for patrol to fill the gaps. These positions are not always filled. Dennis claims the agency is at full staffing but on a full day, only 35 deputies patrol Seminole County. You can't deny you need more deputies in patrol, the backbone of the agency.



The school app. You use the Rave App. This has a panic button feature. A majority of the teachers do not have this on their phones. Most deputies do not have this on their phone. The school app i mentioned is more robust and has a better response time by law enforcement in case of an active shooter. I have met Capt. Rick Francis. He helped me out in a case when he was a Major Crimes Detective. My comments were never directed toward Rick. He was always professional and impressed me as a SCSO member.

Crime is on the way. Seminole County is growing too fast and the SCSO is not keeping up. Regarding your PIOs. I only know Bob Keeling. Doing PIO work in Orange County, he was a reporter with WESH. I have nothing but good things to say about him. You can't deny though there are violent crimes which occur in Seminole County which never make it to the news.

While I'm at it, there were several SCSO deputies who approached me to run for sheriff. I ran because of this and what SCSO is not ready for. This was not an easy decision. I left retirement to do this. If the SCSO was running smoothly, I would have no reason to run. This is not a Spike vs. Dennis race. My campaign is based on leading the SCSO in a direction to be prepared for what's ahead, leading by example and keeping my community and family safe. When I was an OCSO deputy, I was always impressed the SCSO deputies I met never complained about their agency and seemed happy. You always had great equipment and were quite professional. In the past few years this has changed. So, Ed was not the reason I ran. It would take more than one person to persuade me to leave my retirement and time away from my family to run for sheriff.

Body Cameras:
All uniform deputies will have body cameras. Anyone working off-duty will have cameras. Regarding the detectives and body cameras, if you're stopping a car or taking enforcement action. I want the body camera to protect you. I purchased my own body camera while at the OCSO. Not only was this great for evidentiary reasons, suppression hearings, it also captures the truth in case someone falsely complains on you.

Crime at an all time low
We all know, COVID has reduced crime in most parts of the country. So to claim crime is at an all time low is true but the fact is, crime is on it's way back.

I hope I have addressed most of these issues.

My family and I pray for all SCSO employees and thank you for giving back to your community.

Spike

"...a citizen..." commented about Sheriff Lemma wearing a suit. You realize we have over 500,000 citizens. Probably not, since you didn't do much research on our agency, I wouldn't have expected you to have done that much research on the county you live in your RV in. You chose your RV over your house do to yout interview, but you do have a house in Seminole County, right? If you were a life long resident of Seminole County, how did you run for Orange County Sheriff, rent an apartment? Come on, Spike. Be honest with everyone.

[Unregistered]

"...a citizen..." commented about Sheriff Lemma wearing a suit. You realize we have over 500,000 citizens. Probably not, since you didn't do much research on our agency, I wouldn't have expected you to have done that much research on the county you live in your RV in. You chose your RV over your house do to yout interview, but you do have a house in Seminole County, right? If you were a life long resident of Seminole County, how did you run for Orange County Sheriff, rent an apartment? Come on, Spike. Be honest with everyone.

Speaking of honesty, Spike do you have bachelors or masters degrees from FSU. On your website and in your interview you stated, "FSU Graduate Certified Public Manager." Just curious if that is some sort of certificate or a bachelor or masters degree. Also, you stated on your website and in your interview, your are a graudae of that "FBI Leadership Academy Graduate." What class is that? FBINA or what? All city chief of police positions require a BA, most a MA/MS degree, plus FBINA or SPI, which of these do you have?

It's like doing an interivew from your RV, while stating you have a house in Seminole County. It's kind of confusing, so just clarify for us, thanks.

[Unregistered]

Good thing he’s not applying for a city police chief job! I believe in GO 136, says you can only do an interview in your home. Sorta like all of those ones we get from inside DL’s suv. Maybe I’m confused too.

[Unregistered]

Speaking of honesty, Spike do you have bachelors or masters degrees from FSU. On your website and in your interview you stated, "FSU Graduate Certified Public Manager." Just curious if that is some sort of certificate or a bachelor or masters degree. Also, you stated on your website and in your interview, your are a graudae of that "FBI Leadership Academy Graduate." What class is that? FBINA or what? All city chief of police positions require a BA, most a MA/MS degree, plus FBINA or SPI, which of these do you have?

It's like doing an interivew from your RV, while stating you have a house in Seminole County. It's kind of confusing, so just clarify for us, thanks.

So a degree or being an FBINA graduate makes you a great leader? We have that now and look at the state of the agency. I’ve known many people without a degree and they were a heck of a leader. Leadership is Principle driven and selfless.

[Unregistered]

Speaking of honesty, Spike do you have bachelors or masters degrees from FSU. On your website and in your interview you stated, "FSU Graduate Certified Public Manager." Just curious if that is some sort of certificate or a bachelor or masters degree. Also, you stated on your website and in your interview, your are a graudae of that "FBI Leadership Academy Graduate." What class is that? FBINA or what? All city chief of police positions require a BA, most a MA/MS degree, plus FBINA or SPI, which of these do you have?

It's like doing an interivew from your RV, while stating you have a house in Seminole County. It's kind of confusing, so just clarify for us, thanks.

I have worked for supervisors with a masters degree in some stupid major, that couldn't even site policies if their life depended on it. Look at some of the people here with all their "education". That has worked out real well for us. You talk about city police chiefs requirements? You have realized at this point he is runnning for sheriff right? Why do you care so much if Spike is in his RV? Why? You realize how stupid you sound making this an issue. He is retired, I would be doing the same thing if I were able to. He already answered this question several times why are people so hung up on this? WHEN he becomes our sheriff is when you can ***** and moan about his residence. That's the only time he is "required" to be a resident. I frankly could care less where he does his interviews from.
I'm willing to bet Spike is in Seminole County more than DL at this point.

[Unregistered]

Speaking of honesty, Spike do you have bachelors or masters degrees from FSU. On your website and in your interview you stated, "FSU Graduate Certified Public Manager." Just curious if that is some sort of certificate or a bachelor or masters degree. Also, you stated on your website and in your interview, your are a graudae of that "FBI Leadership Academy Graduate." What class is that? FBINA or what? All city chief of police positions require a BA, most a MA/MS degree, plus FBINA or SPI, which of these do you have?

It's like doing an interivew from your RV, while stating you have a house in Seminole County. It's kind of confusing, so just clarify for us, thanks.


I have worked for supervisors with a masters degree in some stupid major, that couldn't even site policies if their life depended on it. Look at some of the people here with all their "education". That has worked out real well for us. You talk about city police chiefs requirements? You have realized at this point he is runnning for sheriff right? Why do you care so much if Spike is in his RV? Why? You realize how stupid you sound making this an issue. He is retired, I would be doing the same thing if I were able to. He already answered this question several times why are people so hung up on this? WHEN he becomes our sheriff is when you can ***** and moan about his residence. That's the only time he is "required" to be a resident. I frankly could care less where he does his interviews from.
I'm willing to bet Spike is in Seminole County more than DL at this point.

[Unregistered]

Speaking of honesty, Spike do you have bachelors or masters degrees from FSU. On your website and in your interview you stated, "FSU Graduate Certified Public Manager." Just curious if that is some sort of certificate or a bachelor or masters degree. Also, you stated on your website and in your interview, your are a graudae of that "FBI Leadership Academy Graduate." What class is that? FBINA or what? All city chief of police positions require a BA, most a MA/MS degree, plus FBINA or SPI, which of these do you have?

It's like doing an interivew from your RV, while stating you have a house in Seminole County. It's kind of confusing, so just clarify for us, thanks.


I have worked for supervisors with a masters degree in some stupid major, that couldn't even site policies if their life depended on it. Look at some of the people here with all their "education". That has worked out real well for us. You talk about city police chiefs requirements? You have realized at this point he is runnning for sheriff right? Why do you care so much if Spike is in his RV? Why? You realize how stupid you sound making this an issue. He is retired, I would be doing the same thing if I were able to. He already answered this question several times why are people so hung up on this? WHEN he becomes our sheriff is when you can ***** and moan about his residence. That's the only time he is "required" to be a resident. I frankly could care less where he does his interviews from.
I'm willing to bet Spike is in Seminole County more than DL at this point.

[Unregistered]

Speaking of honesty, Spike do you have bachelors or masters degrees from FSU. On your website and in your interview you stated, "FSU Graduate Certified Public Manager." Just curious if that is some sort of certificate or a bachelor or masters degree. Also, you stated on your website and in your interview, your are a graudae of that "FBI Leadership Academy Graduate." What class is that? FBINA or what? All city chief of police positions require a BA, most a MA/MS degree, plus FBINA or SPI, which of these do you have?

It's like doing an interivew from your RV, while stating you have a house in Seminole County. It's kind of confusing, so just clarify for us, thanks.

I have worked for supervisors with a masters degree in some stupid major, that couldn't even site policies if their life depended on it. Look at some of the people here with all their "education". That has worked out real well for us. You talk about city police chiefs requirements? You have realized at this point he is runnning for sheriff right? Why do you care so much if Spike is in his RV? Why? You realize how stupid you sound making this an issue. He is retired, I would be doing the same thing if I were able to. He already answered this question several times why are people so hung up on this? WHEN he becomes our sheriff is when you can ***** and moan about his residence. That's the only time he is "required" to be a resident. I frankly could care less where he does his interviews from.
I'm willing to bet Spike is in Seminole County more than DL at this point.

[Unregistered]

Well said everything you need to know is in your post. Well thought out and relayed. As for the promotional process it was sent up last July and as of yesterday when we met with the sheriff he hadn't seen it. Why would it take four months to go from the law enforcement chief to the sheriff? The problem is said to rest in the laps of the Sergeants and Lieutenants. Unfortunately everyone knows that isn't the case. The command staff are the problem and there isn't an easier way to say it. The sheriff said he received one proposal this year when there have been many that were cut off before they made it to his desk. If he wants to see all then everyone below his rank should be sending them through.

Once he realizes that components of his command staff are the problem the better we will be. I have sat through many of the forums and listened how he wouldn't promote negativity when several on his command staff are just that. Deputies sat through SKIP meetings only to be told no at every turn. Not we can look into it juts a plain nope not going to entertain it. Somebody wants to just act as if the command staff does no wrong when we all understand that none of are perfect and together we grow. The command staff isn't fertilizing the ranks and making them grow, they are spraying Roundup every chance they get.

I know you read this Sheriff so for the sake of the agency please start at the top and address their negativity and their not following of your directions. None of us want us to fail and we all want the agency to thrive.

[Unregistered]

Why the discussion of what a person lives in and the education he holds? How about researching our own command staff before casting stones? Let us look at our own chosen command staff including educational background, finance records and the fact that some have not attended the FBI NA Academy. So before you judge you should check the facts in our backyard.

[Unregistered]

I would start with high school.

[Unregistered]

Speaking of honesty, Spike do you have bachelors or masters degrees from FSU. On your website and in your interview you stated, "FSU Graduate Certified Public Manager." Just curious if that is some sort of certificate or a bachelor or masters degree. Also, you stated on your website and in your interview, your are a graudae of that "FBI Leadership Academy Graduate." What class is that? FBINA or what? All city chief of police positions require a BA, most a MA/MS degree, plus FBINA or SPI, which of these do you have?

It's like doing an interivew from your RV, while stating you have a house in Seminole County. It's kind of confusing, so just clarify for us, thanks.

I have worked for supervisors with a masters degree in some stupid major, that couldn't even site policies if their life depended on it. Look at some of the people here with all their "education". That has worked out real well for us. You talk about city police chiefs requirements? You have realized at this point he is runnning for sheriff right? Why do you care so much if Spike is in his RV? Why? You realize how stupid you sound making this an issue. He is retired, I would be doing the same thing if I were able to. He already answered this question several times why are people so hung up on this? WHEN he becomes our sheriff is when you can ***** and moan about his residence. That's the only time he is "required" to be a resident. I frankly could care less where he does his interviews from.
I'm willing to bet Spike is in Seminole County more than DL at this point.

[Unregistered]

Let’s not talk about DL car

[Unregistered]

I have worked for supervisors with a masters degree in some stupid major, that couldn't even site policies if their life depended on it. Look at some of the people here with all their "education". That has worked out real well for us. You talk about city police chiefs requirements? You have realized at this point he is runnning for sheriff right? Why do you care so much if Spike is in his RV? Why? You realize how stupid you sound making this an issue. He is retired, I would be doing the same thing if I were able to. He already answered this question several times why are people so hung up on this? WHEN he becomes our sheriff is when you can ***** and moan about his residence. That's the only time he is "required" to be a resident. I frankly could care less where he does his interviews from.
I'm willing to bet Spike is in Seminole County more than DL at this point.

Could it be someone is insinuating he is simply an opportunist? Maybe like other Dems he'll do, say, or pretend to be anything that will put him in any Sheriff's seat. I mean an opportunist who has few convictions would switch to the party of de-fund the police. AND He still won't be honest about why the switch occurred. Won't trust anything coming out of that camp.

[Unregistered]

Could it be someone is insinuating he is simply an opportunist? Maybe like other Dems he'll do, say, or pretend to be anything that will put him in any Sheriff's seat. I mean an opportunist who has few convictions would switch to the party of de-fund the police. AND He still won't be honest about why the switch occurred. Won't trust anything coming out of that camp.

Opportunist?

He’s been more forthcoming than anything or anyone we have now. Why don’t you ask why nothings been done to the problematic command staff that DL openly admits that there’s a problem. Maybe you missed Spike’s website or his posts that he’s not going to defund the police. Why don’t you ask what DL made the last few years. In 2017 he made more than 198k dollars. What kind of raise did he have in 2018, 2019? It’s remarkable that from 2016 to 2017 some command staff got some nice raises when he became sheriff.

[Unregistered]

Well said everything you need to know is in your post. Well thought out and relayed. As for the promotional process it was sent up last July and as of yesterday when we met with the sheriff he hadn't seen it. Why would it take four months to go from the law enforcement chief to the sheriff? The problem is said to rest in the laps of the Sergeants and Lieutenants. Unfortunately everyone knows that isn't the case. The command staff are the problem and there isn't an easier way to say it. The sheriff said he received one proposal this year when there have been many that were cut off before they made it to his desk. If he wants to see all then everyone below his rank should be sending them through.

Once he realizes that components of his command staff are the problem the better we will be. I have sat through many of the forums and listened how he wouldn't promote negativity when several on his command staff are just that. Deputies sat through SKIP meetings only to be told no at every turn. Not we can look into it juts a plain nope not going to entertain it. Somebody wants to just act as if the command staff does no wrong when we all understand that none of are perfect and together we grow. The command staff isn't fertilizing the ranks and making them grow, they are spraying Roundup every chance they get.

I know you read this Sheriff so for the sake of the agency please start at the top and address their negativity and their not following of your directions. None of us want us to fail and we all want the agency to thrive.

24 pages and someone finally mentioned the Chief of Law Enforcement. DP is the biggest issue we have in the agency. He has always been a micro manger. I couldn’t believe it took this long for anyone to mention him. Maybe that’s because he’s absolutely forgettable. He has failed to show any leadership or direction. He would say one thing in the skip meetings, then the sheriff would have to go to the forum and specifically say that it isn’t what he wanted. He simply will not own any decisions. He allows those under him to take the bullets for his incompetence. For such an academically intelligent person he lacks any emotional intelligence.

Sheriff I suspect you read these. We implore you, move someone into this position that has the understanding on what it takes. RF, or even move MC over. Hell bump MH up 2 levels. Plug the sinking ship.

[Unregistered]

Opportunist?

He’s been more forthcoming than anything or anyone we have now. Why don’t you ask why nothings been done to the problematic command staff that DL openly admits that there’s a problem. Maybe you missed Spike’s website or his posts that he’s not going to defund the police. Why don’t you ask what DL made the last few years. In 2017 he made more than 198k dollars. What kind of raise did he have in 2018, 2019? It’s remarkable that from 2016 to 2017 some command staff got some nice raises when he became sheriff.

You think it's about money.

So he won't support defunding a place he would be working at. Well no freaking kidding.
How about supporting giving civil rights back to convicted felons so they can own firearms again? How about more gain time for prisoners? How about no border control so illegal alien criminals can flood into our State? How about you don't need an ID to vote so you can rig elections easy? Will he freaking kneel? Or is he just a Democrat in name for political expediency? ie an opportunist. Oh let's not forget that while our cities burn from democrat policies, he doesn't even plan on voting! Now there's one hell of a patriot for you. Not worthy of this office. No chance, no way in hell.

[Unregistered]

You think it's about money.

So he won't support defunding a place he would be working at. Well no freaking kidding.
How about supporting giving civil rights back to convicted felons so they can own firearms again? How about more gain time for prisoners? How about no border control so illegal alien criminals can flood into our State? How about you don't need an ID to vote so you can rig elections easy? Will he freaking kneel? Or is he just a Democrat in name for political expediency? ie an opportunist. Oh let's not forget that while our cities burn from democrat policies, he doesn't even plan on voting! Now there's one hell of a patriot for you. Not worthy of this office. No chance, no way in hell.

I’m sure as a constitutional officer he’s worried about things at the state or national level. Ps—we keep federal inmates
(Including illegals) at our jail because we get a lot of fed money. Go back to law school or fox university. Make sure you work a S-15 at planned parenthood or shoot straight. We don’t have any connections there or do we?

[Unregistered]

Seems like we do a lot of business through shoot straight? Gun transactions, ammo orders? I thought some of our staff works there too?

[Unregistered]

Seems like we do a lot of business through shoot straight? Gun transactions, ammo orders? I thought some of our staff works there too?

Yup! We have staff working there. Including the big guy, the “instructor”

[Unregistered]

Yup! We have staff working there. Including the big guy, the “instructor”

I'm at a total loss what this has to do with anything. Spike is going to have a gun safety class where he has the public shoot at "our range." Spike, we don't have a range. We pay to use Seminole State's Range. Shocked you don't know that as a life long restaurant and someone so concerned with Seminole County.

[Unregistered]

I'm at a total loss what this has to do with anything. Spike is going to have a gun safety class where he has the public shoot at "our range." Spike, we don't have a range. We pay to use Seminole State's Range. Shocked you don't know that as a life long restaurant and someone so concerned with Seminole County.

Life long restaurant? You should probably proof read your garbage before you post.

So instead of saying the "the gun range that is used by multiple agencies" and referred to it as "our range" which clearly means not going to shoot straight or other commercial type range used for CC classes, that means he isn't concerned about Seminole County? Wow, talk about grasping at straws here. Embarrassing.

[Unregistered]

You think it's about money.

So he won't support defunding a place he would be working at. Well no freaking kidding.
How about supporting giving civil rights back to convicted felons so they can own firearms again? How about more gain time for prisoners? How about no border control so illegal alien criminals can flood into our State? How about you don't need an ID to vote so you can rig elections easy? Will he freaking kneel? Or is he just a Democrat in name for political expediency? ie an opportunist. Oh let's not forget that while our cities burn from democrat policies, he doesn't even plan on voting! Now there's one hell of a patriot for you. Not worthy of this office. No chance, no way in hell.

What you have just said is exactly what is wrong with this country, and I'm guessing you are a self proclaimed "patriot"

You are basically saying EVERYONE who is a Democrat has the exact same ideology and policies and nothing they say can be trusted...basically Democrat =BAD

The same logic could be used to say all white people=racist or privileged
All Cops=abusive
And so on and so on.

Making assumptions with absolutely nothing to back it up. Grouping people into a category with no just cause. I would say if you had any question about where Spike stands on any of the issues you mentioned, just ask him but you have already made up your mind no matter the answer.

When you vote for candidates on the ballot that are prohibited by law to express their party affiliation, I guarantee at some point you have voted for a democrat and didnt even know it. Your logic is any thing but logical. If you look at Spikes plan nothing in it is concerning unless you are one of those people up high who will be pushed out of your cush position once he is elected.

[Unregistered]

I'm at a total loss what this has to do with anything. Spike is going to have a gun safety class where he has the public shoot at "our range." Spike, we don't have a range. We pay to use Seminole State's Range. Shocked you don't know that as a life long restaurant and someone so concerned with Seminole County.

Are you referring to the range that the county owns but leases to SCC and they in turn charge us per person to use? Sounds like someone’s upset that shoot straight will be losing business.

[Unregistered]

What you have just said is exactly what is wrong with this country, and I'm guessing you are a self proclaimed "patriot"

You are basically saying EVERYONE who is a Democrat has the exact same ideology and policies and nothing they say can be trusted...basically Democrat =BAD

The same logic could be used to say all white people=racist or privileged
All Cops=abusive
And so on and so on.

Making assumptions with absolutely nothing to back it up. Grouping people into a category with no just cause. I would say if you had any question about where Spike stands on any of the issues you mentioned, just ask him but you have already made up your mind no matter the answer.

When you vote for candidates on the ballot that are prohibited by law to express their party affiliation, I guarantee at some point you have voted for a democrat and didnt even know it. Your logic is any thing but logical. If you look at Spikes plan nothing in it is concerning unless you are one of those people up high who will be pushed out of your cush position once he is elected.


Right on! How many times did Rick Scott or his wife come to Seminole county and how many times has DeSantis and his wife come to the county? Hmmmm opportunistic much? The folks that got the 30% raise are glad they came.

[Unregistered]

“The fact of the matter is that Great Leaders keep their promises. Do you keep your promises? Every day leaders make explicit and implicit promises by the dozens. When you are someone’s leader, it is expected that you will do what you say and do what is expected of you. If you are not great in this area take a Time Management course every month until you get great at it. It is your reputation at stake.”

Lee ****erell

[Unregistered]

“Followers who tell the truth and leaders who listen to it are an unbeatable combination.”

Warren Bennis


This is why Spike will win. Plain and simple.

[Unregistered]

The question that needs to be asked is why didn’t the patrol rifle and duty gun go out on bid so everyone could complete for the sale of the weapons ?

[Unregistered]

The question that needs to be asked is why didn’t the patrol rifle and duty gun go out on bid so everyone could complete for the sale of the weapons ?


Really? This is your concern? I'm sure Spike is salivating at the thought of how much traction this will have with the voters. "Honey, it's all done, I'm gonna be the next Sheriff for sure, Old DL didn't put the guns out for Bid. Pack your bags!!"