Candidate: Kevin Arnold

Biography

 Kevin Arnold

Age: 48

Education:

• Graduate of Graceville High School (1989)

• Graduate of Chipola College - AA degree (1991)

• Graduate of Troy University- Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice (1995)

• Graduate of the Florida Sheriff’s Associations Commanders Academy - Class IV (2016)

• Graduate of Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institutes Senior Leadership Program- Class 21 (2018)

Law enforcement experience: I have 26 years of law enforcement experience. My law enforcement career began in 1993 with the Graceville Police Department working as a Patrolman and I later moved to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (1996) where I worked as a deputy sheriff until 2003 when I was promoted to the rank of Investigator (Narcotics Division).  In 2005, I transferred to the Criminal Investigations Division and advanced to the position of a Sergeant (2012).  In 2014, I was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and appointed Watch Commander with the Uniform Patrol Division. In 2018, I moved up to my current rank of Captain where I supervise all divisions under Uniform Patrol. I am the Chief Pilot for the Aviation Division and oversee the Dive Division (Dive certification in open water, advanced open water, and rescue diving). 

Qualifications:  I have the experience and the qualifications to be your next sheriff. During my 26 years in law enforcement, I have supervised approximately 40 full-time deputies and 22 auxiliary deputies.  I completed successfully various upper level continuing education / training courses and hold numerous certifications, e.g. S.W.A.T., Basic Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Law Enforcement School, Rave and Club Drug Investigations, Criminal Drug Interdiction, Street Survival, Law Enforcement Active Shooter Emergency Response, Crisis Intervention Training, Clandestine Laboratory Safety and Site Safety, Practical Homicide and Advanced Homicide Investigations, Injury/ Death and Sex Crime Investigations, FDLE Certified Instructor, Driving Instructor, K-9 Management. I also assisted with the implementation of the School Guardian Program and still function as the Program Manager who is responsible for all the school guardians assigned to the Jackson County School System.

As part of the Sheriff’s Office Command Staff, I participated in budget discussions and administered portions of the Sheriff’s Office budget in matters relating to patrol, aviation, and dive divisions.  I am innovative and have a clear understanding of our future needs, including initiatives concerning the treatment of substance abuse, pre-arrest diversion programs, and how to address problematic, mentally ill citizens. I will work with and advocate for programs for our seniors and veterans and help foster those for our youth.

I believe in treating people with dignity and respect. This applies to the hard-working men and women of law enforcement, our citizens, and to those who stop and visit here or transition through our county. I believe in being just, firm, and fair while demonstrating human decency for all. I believe people should be held accountable for their actions but keep in mind that we all have made mistakes and were shown compassion. I am committed to protecting and serving all the citizens in this county.

Family: I have been married to my wife, Georgia, for 26 years.  We have two children and three grandchildren.

My Memberships:

• Optimist Club of Jackson County

• Chipola Civic Club

• Airborne Public Safety Association

• Florida Afterschool Network

• Florida Sheriff’s Association

• Florida Deputy Sheriff’s Association

• First United Methodist Church, Sneads

Ideas what could be done – to begin with:

• Increase the number of deputies over the next few years to deal with the growing number of calls for service and produce more effective community patrols.

• Re-establish a strong partnership with the faith-based community and non-governmental organizations to address community issues.

• Work with other law enforcement agencies to address crime trends.

• Aggressively and pro-actively pursue and arrest those who deal/ possess/ transport illegal drugs in our county and seek the appropriate prosecution for those cases.

• Help expand educational programs for at-risk youths.

• Help expand educational programs for seniors to avoid abuse and victimization.

First move as Sheriff:  Prioritize and re-allocate resources in a responsible manner to better protect the citizens in our communities by putting more deputies on the road. I’ll address internal, departmental issues and make the necessary changes to ensure that everyone will be held accountable for their actions and the Sheriff’s Office Policy and Procedures will be up to date.  I  plan to actively collaborate with all law enforcement agencies (Federal, State and Local) in  this county to guarantee that every effort is made to protect our families, our children, our seniors and our veterans.