Candidate: CARMEN MCKINNEY

Motivation to Run for Sheriff of Lee County

The Florida Ethics Commission motto is “A Public Office Is A Public Trust”. It’s motto challenges those that are public office holders to reflect on the fact that the citizens have entrusted them with that office. With that entrusted position comes a duty to perform professionally, morally, and ethically. That duty is embedded within the oath that is taken when the official is sworn in. Without the adherence to that oath you will have failed the very citizens that entrusted that office to you. To me it is not political it is honor, integrity, and a sense of duty. I concluded at the end of my career that the citizens of Lee County owe me nothing but I owe them a great deal of gratitude and thankfulness for such a chance to serve and work for them. 

Discipline within an Law Enforcement Agency begins at the top; not only with enforcing professional conduct but by also adhering to that professional conduct. Over the past year, I have become extremely alarmed at the conduct of the top leadership at the Lee County Sheriff Office. This conduct involved improper involvement with a female reporting a crime to the Lee County Sheriff Office, conduct unbecoming of an officer, falsified work applications, poor leadership, the lack of work experiences along with other issues. 

The reputations of our political leaders, our news media, our churches and our civic organizations are being tested here in Lee County.

I wish I could turn my back on such activity but I find that my conscience leads me to a different path. The people of this community, the people involved in governmental duties, our elective office holders, the former and current members of the Lee County Sheriff Office and the church community leads me to at least attempt to correct these actions. 

I not only have the qualifications but I have the work experience to make this needed change.

Career and Work Experiences

Carmen McKinney has well over 42 years in public service. His career started with the Connecticut State Police at the age of 19 years old where he became one of the first cadet Auxiliary State Trooper to be assigned to Troop D, Danielson, Connecticut. At age 21 years old he was hired by the Groton City Police Department in Groton, Connecticut starting his first full time service as a sworn police officer. At Groton City Police he served with the Patrol Division, Special Weapons and Tactical (SWAT) unit, Acting Sergeant, Acting Detective and was responsible for the enhanced photography operations.

While working at the Groton City Police Department he attended the University of New Haven and obtained his B.S. Degree in Law Enforcement and his A.S. in Aeronautical Technology. It was during this time period he obtained his Commercial and Instrument Fixed Wing Aircraft and his Commercial Helicopter rating.

In October 1981 he moved to Lee County Florida after accepting a position as a Deputy Sheriff with the Lee County Sheriff Office. In January 1982 he transferred to the Criminal Investigative Division as an Agent. During the course of his career (1981 to 2007) at the Lee County Sheriff Office his assignments included Patrol Division, Major Crimes Division, Marine Operations, Aviation Unit, District Criminal Investigation Unit, Narcotic Division, Training Division, and Watch Command holding the rank of Detective, Corporal, and Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain and Major with various supervisory positions within these assignments. Special assignments included the Blue Lightening Task Force (United States Customs Office Designated Officer) with the task of interdiction of narcotics into the United States. As Training Commander, he was responsible for establishing the first promotional examinations involving the implementation of Assessment Center testing for promotion and was further involved in the establishment of the first four year degree program at Edison College entitled Public Safety Administration. This further enhanced the career development of employees at the Lee County Sheriff Office. During his assignments at the Lee County Sheriff Office, he obtained his Master Degree in Education from Florida Gulf Coast University. Other obligations included the oversight of construction of a 53,000 square foot indoor tactical non-toxic gun range. This was the first time that a non-toxic gun range was introduced in Florida. While at the Aviation Unit, he was involved in purchase and upgrade of two Eurocopter A-Star Helicopters equipped with FLIR.

From September 1993 to May 2007, he was the lead (Criminal Investigation Block) instructor for Basic Recruit Training at the Southwest Florida Criminal Justice Academy in Fort Myers. He further was assigned to the Region Ten Police Training Advisory Board (FDLE), and to the Edison Community College Advisory Board for Criminal Justice (2000-2018).

After 25 years with the Lee County Sheriff Office he accepted a position with the Lee County Mosquito Control District as a Deputy Director of Aviation, Fleet and Facilities.  As Deputy Director, he had oversight and management of all activities involving operations, maintenance, and employees assigned to Aviation, Fleet, and Facilities. These Aviation assets included 15 helicopters and six fixed wing aircraft. Fleet assets involved over 30 vehicles and various specialize trucks, trailers, tractors, and other types of equipment. This position also involved the upkeep of the 194 acre airport (Buckingham Airport), nine heliports, and other properties owned and operated by the District. Other obligations included the management of the construction of new buildings in the excess of 15,000 sf. During Hurricane Irma, he was assigned as the Incident Commander at Buckingham Airport. This assignment required coordination with the Incident Command Center in Tallahassee, Florida, Lee County Emergency Operational Center along with other local, state and federal agencies as it related to the logistical support for the Southwest Florida area.

“It is not political to me – It is Honor, Integrity, and a Sense of Duty”

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