Season is here

February 18, 2016

The Year 2015 was a very successful one for the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office. The hard work and dedication of our employees allowed us to realize several landmark achievements. The Office received Gold Standard Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). This standard exemplifies professionalism in law enforcement by evaluating the success of our processes and the outcomes associated with our policies.

In 2015, we also achieved CALEA Communications Accreditation, which provides a benchmark for staffing levels, training and dispatch protocol in the Communications Division. CALEA accreditation demonstrates that our agency has met internationally recognized standards for public safety communications, which further facilitates our pursuit of professional excellence.

Our pursuit of excellence is evident as well in our Detention and Court Services Divisions. The Charlotte County Jail continues to develop community partnerships through a host of inmate programs. These programs are designed to provide inmates with opportunities to learn new skills that they can use to succeed. Our Detention Staff works hard to send people back into the community who are better than when they arrived. Looking toward the future, our jail is expanding to provide treatment for the sick and mentally ill. Our Court Services Division is revising and updating security procedures and adjusting staffing levels to improve safety and security within the Justice Center.

Maintaining the highest standards for the profession have allowed us to streamline policies and training procedures, increasing our efficiency and effectiveness in the community. We have lowered the crime rate substantially, which serves as a testament to the men and women of the Sheriff's Office and how they have worked hard for their community.

The year 2016 is now upon us. We will continue to grow partnerships with our citizens and business leaders toward collaborative problem solving. I am confident that this collaboration, coupled with contemporary law enforcement strategies, will provide us with a landscape to achieve further successes in a safe and secure community.

As we enter a new season here in Charlotte County, you will surely recognize that our roadways are busier, our eating establishments are bustling and our commercial businesses are flourishing. I ask that our motorists drive safely and exercise caution as you go about your daily lives. Be courteous and watch out for your neighbors. Lend a helping hand to others in need.

As your Sheriff, I will continue to work hard toward making our home one of the safest, if not the safest community in all of Florida. Thank you for helping us to make this County a wonderful place to live, work and play. Together, we can make a difference.

Bill Prummell, Sheriff

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