The race for Okaloosa County Sheriff was underway last Thursday as the three candidates vying for the position engaged in a comprehensive forum hosted by the Greater Chamber of Fort Walton Beach and the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors.

• Incumbent Sheriff Eric Aden, seeking reelection, faced challengers Ronald Livingston and Eddie Perillo in a wide-ranging discussion that covered pressing issues facing the department and their visions for its future. 

The candidates tackled topics including recent high-profile incidents involving deputies, strategies for combating the opioid epidemic, recruitment challenges, plans for the school resource officer program, and the pressing need for a new county jail.

Addressing community concerns

In light of recent high-profile incidents involving sheriff’s deputies, candidates were asked about steps to mitigate community concerns.

Up first was Livingston, who emphasized the critical role of training. 

“I’ve been in training for almost 25 years, and out of that, I have been focused on arms training… is one of my biggest disciplines that I teach,” he said. Livingston advocated for increased use of the department’s training facility in Crestview and proposed joint training exercises with other agencies in the county.

Perillo echoed the call for enhanced training but also stressed the importance of community engagement. “Basically, better training, or more training. Accessible to the people, to hear their issues, how they feel, to make them feel safe, and know that they’re going to be protected for what, no matter who they are,” Perillo stated.

Sheriff Aden defended his department’s current training practices, asserting that they exceed state requirements. “The state requires once every four years that you review your policies, you focus on less lethal training, you do firearms training, and you do psychological and defensive tactics training. So that’s once every four years. We do that every year,” Aden said. 

• He also highlighted additional programs implemented under his leadership, including Racial Intelligence Training and Education (RITE) and Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training for all deputies.

Biggest challenges facing the department

When asked about the most significant challenges facing the department, candidates identified several key issues.

Sheriff Aden pointed to domestic violence as a perennial issue but emphasized the current opioid crisis as the most pressing concern. 

• “It’s coming across the border in massive amounts…killing more people in our communities,” Aden said. He highlighted a new initiative involving collaboration with the Department of Health and municipal police departments to provide rapid response and resources to overdose victims.

Perillo identified drugs and community trust as major challenges. “Probably the drugs and obviously regaining the trust within the community. I think the department has lost trust recently, or over the last couple of years, because of incidents,” Perillo stated. He advocated for increased deputy presence and specialized units to address these issues.

Livingston focused on manpower and retention issues. “I’m out here on the road every day. I run into these deputies. I talk to them. A lot of them are friends. But manpower and one of the biggest issues is at the gas pumps. I see Santa Rosa County deputies, I see Walton County deputies and they all live in Okaloosa County,” Livingston observed. He stressed the need to focus on competitive pay and career advancement opportunities to retain talent.

Combating the opioid epidemic

With Circuit One, encompassing Escambia and Walton County, having the highest opioid death rate per capita in the state, candidates were asked about the sheriff’s office’s role in addressing this crisis.

Perillo advocated for a multi-faceted approach. “Need to come up with programs and bring in more of the agencies like the A.T.F. and the marshals to help crack down and figure out how the drugs are getting in here,” he said. Perillo also emphasized the importance of strict enforcement against traffickers while developing programs to help users overcome addiction.

Sheriff Aden reiterated his office’s collaborative efforts with municipal police chiefs and the health department. “We’ve already put that initiative together. We’re already working on it actively and so it’s going to be rolling out here real soon,” Aden said, referring to the plan to follow up with overdose victims within 24-48 hours.

Livingston stressed the need for a unified approach involving all stakeholders. “There’s state agencies, there’s county agencies, there’s city agencies. And we’ve got to focus and get every agency to work together,” he said. Livingston proposed regular meetings between all agencies to develop and implement comprehensive strategies.

Collaboration with municipalities

Candidates were asked about their willingness to collaborate with municipalities and sign strong mutual aid agreements.

Livingston expressed strong support for inter-agency cooperation. “The answer to that question is yes. It takes everybody to make us successful. The Sheriff’s Office isn’t going to be successful on its own,” he stated. He proposed quarterly meetings between all agencies to foster collaboration and address common challenges.

Sheriff Aden noted that such agreements are already in place. “That’s something we already do. We sign mutual aid agreements with every municipality. We have nine municipalities in this county,” Aden said. He emphasized the existing positive relationships with municipal law enforcement agencies.

Perillo concurred on the importance of collaboration, stating, “Absolutely. Everybody works together to get the same job done. It’s because you work at a different department, you’re in law enforcement, you want the same job done. Everybody works together as a team. You get more done.”

Recruitment and retention

Addressing the challenge of staying competitive in hiring, candidates offered different perspectives on attracting and retaining quality personnel.

Sheriff Aden emphasized the department’s competitive compensation package. “Simple…Pay and benefits. We have the best insurance. Thanks to our county commission supporting our funding for our law enforcement, we have the most competitive wage,” Aden stated. 

• He noted that despite challenges, the department maintains a vacancy rate of 4%, lower than the state average of 7%.

Livingston agreed on the importance of competitive pay but also stressed the need for a positive work environment. “I think if we take care of our people the word will get out that this is a great agency to come to work for,” he said. Livingston also proposed focusing on training and career development opportunities to attract and retain talent.

Perillo suggested improving working conditions as a key factor in recruitment and retention. “Obviously the pay, the work environment is good, but people tend to keep leaving for some reason. You keep more deputies on the road, so they’re not spread out as bad, so they get help,” he said, emphasizing the need for adequate staffing to reduce individual workloads.

School Resource Officer program

Candidates were asked about their plans for ensuring the School Resource Officer (SRO) program is staffed with highly qualified and dedicated officers.

Perillo emphasized the program’s importance and the need for ongoing training. “The S.R.O. Program is very valuable and a lot of people want to be in it. Just keep up their training, send them to school. Make sure they’re active and very vigilant in their school,” he stated.

Sheriff Aden, drawing on his personal experience as a former SRO, highlighted the program’s evolution and current status. “It is the biggest, it’s the largest division we have, and as far as their training, it’s the highest trained division in our agency, short of our SRT program,” Aden said. 

• He noted that SROs receive a 3% stipend to incentivize participation in the program.

Livingston expressed strong support for the program but raised concerns about turnover. “I have yet to see the same S.R.O. at that school for any lengthy period of time,” he observed, referring to his child’s school. Livingston emphasized the need to focus on recruiting officers who are passionate about working with youth and committed to staying in the role long-term.

Addressing jail overcrowding

All candidates agreed on the urgent need for a new county jail to address overcrowding and poor conditions, with Aden and Livingston commended Corrections Director Nolan Weeks for doing a good job despite its current state.

Sheriff Aden, while noting that the jail doesn’t fall under his department’s jurisdiction, was frank in his assessment. “Shawshank Redemption looks better than our jail and it is a very scary place,” he said. Aden stressed the need for a facility that provides a safe environment for both inmates and correctional officers.

Livingston concurred with the dire assessment. “You look up at the ceiling and water stains, that place is sitting on a marsh pit. I feel the floor like sinking up underneath my feet as I walk inside the jail,” he said. Livingston expressed support for the county commissioners’ efforts to develop a plan for a new facility.

Perillo emphasized the impact of poor conditions on both inmates and staff. “The conditions are horrible. It’s overcrowded. A lot of the people aren’t even convicted yet. They’re just waiting for court,” he noted. Perillo stressed the need for a new facility to improve conditions for both inmates awaiting trial and the corrections officers working there.

Closing statements

In their closing remarks, candidates summarized their qualifications and visions for the department.

Livingston emphasized his extensive experience and commitment to public service. “I’ve been a public servant for the state of Florida for the last 32 years. I’ve only worked in one agency and that was the Florida Highway Patrol,” he said. Livingston stressed his desire to focus on Okaloosa County and enhance training and retention within the department.

Perillo highlighted his deep community roots and desire for increased transparency. “Obviously, I care about this community and care what happens. Care about the trust, be an active sheriff, transparency, have an open door policy to the public where they can come in maybe once a month, have a coffee meeting with the sheriff,” he proposed.

Sheriff Aden pointed to his comprehensive experience within the department and his record of leadership. “It’s easy to steer a ship in calm waters. It’s a lot harder, for any of you captains that have ever driven a boat, to ride through rough waters,” Aden said, emphasizing his ability to lead through challenging times. 

• He highlighted endorsements from diverse community groups as evidence of his commitment to transparency and accountability.

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s election will take place on August 20, 2024. For more information on voting locations and procedures, residents can contact the Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections office or visit their website.