Candidate: Tony Cornman

First I would like to say thank you for allowing me the opportunity to share this time with you and to tell you a little about myself and my plan for the sheriff’s office. I would like to start by saying I am a Walton County native. I was born and raised in Walton County. I spent my first 28 years living, going to school and working right here in Walton County. My wife of 24 years, Joni was also born and raised in Walton County. We have one son who is set to graduate from GCCC this summer and plans on attending FSU in the fall majoring in business. And of course I can’t forget our family pet of 15 years a miniature schnauzer named NAKU. I have over 25 years of work experience in law enforcement. That experience includes corrections, patrol, investigations and management. My law enforcement service began in 1982 as a Deputy Sheriff right here in Walton County. I worked with the Sheriff’s Office for many years and later accepted a job with the State of Florida’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco which is an accredited State law enforcement agency. One of the toughest decisions I had to make involved leaving the Sheriff’s Office. It is never easy to leave home and everything familiar to you, but I wanted to broaden my law enforcement education and experience. The State of Florida gave me that opportunity. I have gained valuable experience working as part of that team all over the state of Florida. I have experience working with a multitude of agencies to achieve a goal. And that goal should be the same of every law enforcement officer– Make this county and state a safer place to live, work and visit. I was among the first formally recognized Field Training Officers for my current agency. That aspect of my job took me around the state training and evaluating other law enforcement personnel. Being a FTO gave me supervisory experience and played an important part in my career. I have been promoted twice, and now serve as Law Enforcement Lieutenant. As Lieutenant, I manage, direct and lead employees and operations on a daily basis. I am responsible for personnel, office budget oversight, enforcement operations, administrative operations and licensing functions for seven counties including Walton. During my law enforcement career I have attended thousands of hours of advanced training in Management and Supervision, Organized Crime, Undercover Operations, Drug ID and Investigations, Law Enforcement Instructor and Incident Command System for Managers of Major Incidents, just to name a few. I have also received numerous awards and commendations during my law enforcement career including being the two time recipient of the STATE of FLORIDA’S DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD. I recently received a leadership award and was inducted into the Who’s Who Among Prevention Leaders, by the State of Florida, Office of Drug Control. Also under my supervision, the office I manage has received outstanding service awards for productivity and efficiency being named the most efficiently operated office in the Northern Region. I have served as the Incident Commander for many large scale operations. Planning, directing and controlling law enforcement operations involving over 50 law enforcement personnel have given me great insight into working with other agencies and staying within budget limitations. I have also been assigned to the division’s Policy Review Committee, whose function involves writing and reviewing policies and procedures. This is an important component of Law Enforcement Accreditation – A process I want to bring to the Sheriff’s Office. The employees and citizens deserve a fully accredited Sheriff’s office. During my career I have had the fortunate opportunity to work with many law enforcement agencies throughout The Great State of Florida. I have learned that agencies adapting the “Community Policing Model” are more successful. By that I mean those agencies that get their communities involved, keep them informed and encourage and accept their input and suggestions are successful. Support of the community is not a luxury. It is a necessity. Under my administration I can promise the citizens of Walton County they will be “Partners” with the Sheriff’s Office. You will be treated with a “HOW CAN WE HELP YOU” attitude, and that attitude will extend from top to bottom. I will use my exceptional work ethic, dedication to my profession and experience to implement meaningful change in your Sheriff’s Office and set priorities and goals for my administration. Please visit our website at tonycornmanforsheriff.com and contact me at 850-527-8139 or at tjcornman@gmail.com if you have any questions. Thank You.