Candidate: Mike Williams

Since being elected Sheriff in 2015, he has demonstrated his ability to lead the fight against crime with a proven record of innovation and a commitment to serving every citizen in every neighborhood in Jacksonville, Florida. Born and raised in Jacksonville, he and wife Jodi are raising their family of three sons here. Sheriff Williams served in the Air National Guard, and began his successful career at the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) in 1991. During more than 22 years with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office he worked at every level of the agency. Sheriff Williams has many accomplishments as a manager of people and a nationally recognized law enforcement leader. From his very first day with the JSO, he never forgot that the agency’s success depends on all officers listening to the community they serve and working together. This is a primary tenant of his administration, and will continue to be a practice the JSO teaches and trains. Since elected to serve the City of Jacksonville as its fifth Sheriff, Mike Williams has been a working partner to city and state officials. This partnership has resulted in the restoration of much needed sworn police officers and broadened recruitment standards to honor those who served in our nation’s armed forces. In his first term, Sheriff Williams has demonstrated his commitment to driving down violent crime by leveraging technology to solve crime. He has addressed societal and generational changes by expanding training, as well as enhancing transparency and accountability throughout the agency and to the public it serves. Under his leadership, the JSO has instituted improved policies and organizational design to better support the principles of “Smart Justice”. Mike Williams seeks re-election as Sheriff to continue the tremendous momentum the agency operates with today: Mike Williams will continue to drive community engagement every step of the way. He recognizes Jacksonville’s success depends on the involvement of citizen from every neighborhood of the city, and every walk of life. The JSO will continue to enlist citizen partners for access to information and assistance in identifying suspects and criminals, preventing crime patterns from growing, and thwarting terrorist or lone wolf attacks. Mike Williams will continue to focus the agency on acquiring and leveraging newer technology to solve crime. These technologies including: body cameras; gunfire detection systems; etc. He will ensure critical maintenance and upgrades of existing equipment. He will further grow the public's trust in the JSO through his mandate for enhanced transparency. Sheriff Williams will make certain relationships are measurable and quantifiable to broaden cultural awareness; examine use of force; highlight the use of diversion programming; and increase mental health and special needs awareness among officers and the public JSO serves.