- March 11, 2026
Dear Editor:
Flagler County has seen its share of public disagreements between the current sheriff and a former one. That debate produced more heat than light. Let us step back from the personalities for a moment and two measurable outcomes stand out today: crime has fallen dramatically, and our current sheriff operates one of the most progressive and forward-thinking jail systems in Florida.
Recently, a consulting client shared a University of North Florida study that Sheriff Rick Staly cited when requesting additional deputies. The study had some methodological quirks, including criticizing population-to-officer ratios before ultimately relying on them. Even so, after reviewing the data, I came away with a very different conclusion than many critics (and my client): the sheriff may be asking for fewer deputies than the county will ultimately need.
Does every community throughout Florida deserve a full-service sheriff’s office like we have, with cutting edge capabilities, investments in advanced personnel training, dedication to victims with full-time cold case detectives and a harmonious relationship with agencies within the county and beyond? Yes, but precious few have what we have.
A young, now-retired police chief once explained the challenge to me this way: law enforcement agencies do not have a “research and development” budget. Everything they receive must be deployed immediately to protect the public.
Running a sheriff’s office has always been like building an aircraft in flight. Consider the reality facing law enforcement in Flagler County today. Since 2016, the county has grown by roughly 27% — adding nearly 30,000 new residents. Policing a county of 136,000 people is not the same job as policing a county of 107,000.
Growth changes everything: call volume, traffic enforcement, investigative workload, jail operations and community expectations. Debates about budgets and staffing will continue, and they should. That is how healthy communities govern themselves. Growth is not slowing. Neither should our commitment to public safety. Safe and successful communities plan for the future before it arrives.
Roland Clee
Flagler Beach
Roland Clee is a retired civilian policing professional, consultant, conference speaker and writer for AmericanPeaceOfficer.com.
