The Keyboard Detective

Suspended Okaloosa Sheriff Speaks Out, More Investigations Ongoing

Suspended Okaloosa County Sheriff Charlie Morris has released a statement about his recent arrest on federal charges of theft and fraud, but it contained no new information, according to the Northwest Florida Daily News.

Meanwhile, the sheriff's office has started an investigation into three unnamed deputies, but it's not clear whether the investigation is related to the Morris arrest. The sheriff's office did not release the names of those involved, or what they are alleged to have done (see below for an explanation).

Morris' statement from the Daily News:

"I have cooperated fully with the government in its investigation and I look forward to a full and fair hearing on the charges," he said. "My attorneys have advised me not to answer any questions at this time, and I am following the advice of my lawyers."

He is expected to appear Monday in federal court in Tallahassee, the Daily News reported.

While he's suspended, former Gadsden County lawman Ed Spooner has been appointed to run the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office.

I knew Spooner several years ago when I was a newspaper reporter in Tallahassee, and he was at the Gadsden County Sheriff's Office. If he's anything now like he was then, you can expect him to deal openly and honestly with the public.

The sheriff's office announced the investigation of the deputies on Tuesday. The press release was very brief and made no mention of what the case is about, but did say that it was, "to determine whether or not three individuals within the department violated agency policies
and procedures."

In law enforcement speak, policy violations and violations of Florida statutes (crimes) are two completely different animals. Policy violations can get you demoted or fired, while crimes, obviously, put you in jail.

The way they've worded the release sounds like whatever happened, it's not quite on the same level as the federal allegations against the Sheriff.

As for why they aren't releasing the names of the deputies involved or the specific complaints, that's prohibited in what's generally known as the Police Officer's Bill of Rights.

FS 112.533 exempts records of an investigation from Florida's public records laws until after the investigation is concluded. It also makes it a misdemeanor offense for anyone involved in the investigation to release information before the case is complete. However, sheriffs and police chiefs are allowed to acknowledge that a complaint exists and that an investigation is underway.