Alachua County Sheriff Clovis Watson Jr. is a true advocate for law enforcement
When Police Benevolent Association Chapter President Jody Branaman accused Alachua County Sheriff Clovis Watson Jr. of unfair labor practices and not negotiating in good faith, I found it very hard to believe. The opinion piece did not contain any specific grievances.
Watson is a true advocate for law enforcement. He started as a patrol officer over 30 years ago. He has held every job as a police officer ending as assistant police chief for the city of Alachua. He then became the city manager, where he led at the city with over 120 employees, including its police department, while creating a new and solid tax base for the city through his leadership skills.
So, with skepticism, I decided to research what actual offers made in negotiating with the union.
News story:PBA alleges unfair labor practices by Alachua County sheriff
The union wanted a 2.5% raise. In response, Watson increased salaries by 3%. The package included two extra paid holidays and a $2,000 educational allowance. It appears the only real disagreement was Watson’s new policy of requiring new deputies to live in Alachua County if they wanted to drive their service vehicles home.
Over the past three years, police agencies across the country have lost a record number of officers. Many factors outside of local control have caused this, including protests against the police, the COVID pandemic and a surge of retirement of police officers who started in the 1990s.
As for the crime rate, it actually dropped 3.3% here in Alachua County, and violent crime is down across the country. To say that the public safety has been threatened is flatly false.
Watson took over a demoralized police agency when he was overwhelmingly elected sheriff just 15 months ago. Positive changes can be seen throughout the department, especially in the high morale of our fine deputy sheriffs. This has not only benefited the sheriff’s department, but all of Alachua County.
Robert A. Rush is a Gainesville attorney. His son is general counsel for the Alachua County Sheriff's Office.
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