Candidate: Ken Jefferson

Ken Jefferson for Sheriff www.ken4sheriff.com For twenty-four years, Ken Jefferson served his community as a law enforcement officer with the Jacksonville Sheriff\'s Office. During his illustrious career, he experienced and was exposed to all aspects of the department. After being hired by JSO in 1986, Ken patrolled our streets vigorously, responding to calls for service from the public, building relationships with members of the community, and routinely implementing problem-solving methods to combat recurring crime trends. He went on to serve as a detective in the Inspections and Accreditation Unit, helping to ensure that the Sheriff’s Office maintained the rigorous standards set forth by the various accrediting agencies. As both a Field Training Officer and a Certified Academy Instructor, Ken mentored and educated police officers, both new and veteran. He worked as an investigative detective in both the Burglary and Sex Crimes Units, often developing relationships with victims and their families as he relentlessly pursued justice for them. After becoming a recruiter for the agency, Ken fostered relationships with prospective employees and those citizens who had an interest in the field of law enforcement. As a Federal Program Coordinator in charge of the Drug Education for Youth (DEFY) Program, he taught and mentored the most vulnerable and at-risk youth in the community. The varied and diverse experiences Ken had during his career prepared him well for his final role, JSO’s Public Information Officer, in which he became the face of the department for five years. It was during those final years that Ken had the opportunity to speak with a wide array of Jacksonville’s current residents, learning about their daily lives and discussing the issues that are of greatest concern to them. Ken has been recognized by numerous agencies for his stellar work as a member of the Sheriff’s Office. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida praised him for his outstanding display of leadership, commitment and coordination of the DEFY Program. The Federal Bureau of Investigation presented Ken with the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award for his selfless dedication and outstanding leadership to the nation’s communities. Ken became the only person to be named Florida’s Public Information Officer of the Year two years in a row by the Florida Law Enforcement Public Information Officers’ Association; he was given the award for professionally representing the public image of his agency, successfully managing crucial information during ongoing crises, and effectively delivering routine information to the public. Ken was also presented with a lifesaving award after rescuing three young girls who had become trapped in a sinking vehicle. After his career with JSO, Ken served as the Expert Crime Analyst for a local news station, appearing daily to offer commentary on breaking news, current crime trends, and crime prevention tips. Currently, Ken runs the organization he founded, Jefferson Consulting Group, which has allowed him to conduct workshops and seminars on self-empowerment all across the nation. As a motivational speaker, he has been invited to speak at many local and national conferences to discuss safety concerns for children and senior adults, ways to enhance communication between government agencies and the public, principles of corporate risk management, and the best plan of action for building an effective coalition. Ken also serves on the boards for many organizations, including the Justice Coalition, Operation Save Our Sons, Project SOS, Keiser University, Girls Inc., Johnson Family YMCA, Clara White Mission, and Prisoners of Christ Ministry. Ken earned his master’s degree in theology and holds an honorary doctorate from St. Thomas Christian University. He is also a graduate of Lifework Leadership and Leadership Jacksonville. He is married and the father of five children—one a teenager—and faithfully serves as a member of Impact Church. Ken believes our community needs a Sheriff who is not only richly experienced in the field of law enforcement, but is also deeply rooted in the community and is ready to work tirelessly to address the concerns of each citizen who lives and works in our great city and county. Ken is that man and he is ready to serve as your next Sheriff.