- April 19, 2024
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By: Brittany Kershaw
Flagler County Sheriff's Office Public Affairs Manager
Flagler County Sheriff's Office Detention Deputy Jarred Tazewell has resigned during an internal investigation into excessive use of force.
On April 23, it was discovered that Tazewell was retrieving an inmate from a confinement cell of the detention facility when the inmate, who had a walker, threw the walker at Tazewell, striking him.
In response, Tazewell struck the inmate in the face with a closed fist, causing the inmate to fall backwards.
A criminal investigation was immediately conducted. The State Attorney’s Office declined to file charges.
An internal investigation was then conducted, with findings that Tazewell violated agency policies by using excessive force.
As the investigation was being completed, Tazewell, through his PBA representative, resigned his position with the Sheriff’s Office. While discipline could not be issued because of this resignation, the FCSO will be sending the case to the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC) for review.
The CJSTC has the authority to issue discipline up to revoking Tazewell’s Florida Correctional Officer certification.
“Excessive use of force will not be tolerated at the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office,” Staly said. “During the investigation, investigators determined the inmate’s behavior did not warrant the level and type of the force used by the detention deputy. He resigned in lieu of being terminated, which was the likely outcome of the investigation. Often, inmates will ‘bait’ detention deputies, and I expect deputies to keep their cool and not react inappropriately, as was done in this case. Fortunately, use of defensive tactics by detention deputies in the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility has declined 38.5% since I have been sheriff. Tazewell’s action is not a reflection of the many men and women that serve professionally at the jail, keeping us safe from some of the worst people in society.”
In more jail news, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has launched a nationwide search for a new division chief of the Court and Detention Services Division.
The right person for the job will be a dynamic, energetic and progressive corrections leader with a proven record of success in senior management.
Potential candidates are required to have significant experience in a correctional facility, preferably in Florida, at a leadership level. Interested candidates can find more information here: http://www.flaglersheriff.com/chief-cds.
The search for a new division chief of the Court & Detention Services Division was prompted by the announcement of current Division Chief Steve Cole’s planned retirement.
Cole joined the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office in 1994 and worked as a patrol deputy, school resource deputy, detective, corporal, sergeant, commander and Division Chief.
Cole had been promoted through the ranks and was assigned to the Court and Detention Services Division when Staly took office in January 2017.
He is retiring after 25 years of service effective Nov. 1, 2019. Until that time, Cole is taking accrued vacation time.
“Chief Cole’s law enforcement background has been instrumental in bridging the gap between law enforcement and our detention divisions,” Staly said. “We wish him and his family the best in his retirement.”
In the interim, Chief of Staff Mark Strobridge will be the acting division chief of the Court and Detention Services Division.
Strobridge is currently responsible for the Organizational Services Division of the Sheriff’s Office, which includes Human Resources, Training, Accreditation, Business Management, Public Information Outreach, and Volunteer Services.
Strobridge will take over leadership of the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility and Court Services until a replacement is selected by Sheriff Staly.
Courtesy of the Flagler County Sheriff's Office.
