Sheriff hires five deputies

Palm Coast Observer
News

Also, promotions are announced, and an online initiative is launched.

Thanks to a federal grant, and the approval of the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners, Flagler County Sheriff Donald Fleming has hired five deputies.

Fleming said the grant will pay for the deputies’ salaries for three years, and the Sheriff’s Office will pay for the fourth. Through retirements and attrition, however, it is probable that the budget will not have to be stretched to pay for the final year.

At a time when there is no money in the budget for pay raises for deputies, Fleming feels fortunate to add five new deputies.

“It’s a much needed thing,” he said. “The calls for service have risen, and our staff as stayed the same … This was a gift from heaven.”

Fleming said a University of Florida study predicts Flagler will continue to have rapid population growth, and so he will eventually need to add about 10 more deputies to his patrols.

Promotion time
The following officers have been promoted: Jen Taylor and Nate Koep to corporals on the road; Hilda Arietta and Manuel Sa to corporals in the jail; Michael Fink and Frank Celico to sergeants.

Advancements are determined in part by the results of a test conducted by an outside agency.

Fleming said he is also hiring an internal affairs sergeant. Another sergeant for a traffic division will serve unincorporated Flagler County and make recommendations for adjustments to traffic lights.

Online involvement
An online initiatives has been launched recently at the Sheriff’s Office: a new survey for residents who have had contact with deputies.

“We constantly get atta-boy letters from the public,” Fleming said, “but I think this a good way for us to gauge whether we’re doing the right thing on the road. Were they courteous and polite? It’s a check and balance on everybody. We want to keep the deputies happy and the public happy.”