New sheriff plans to rebuild moral, public trust

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Sheriff Mike Williams was sworn in Wednesday, taking over an agency that some residents believe has lost the trust of the public.

"It's great for the community leaders to have a relationship with me, and they will, but it's better for you to have a relationship with a policeman who works in your neighborhood. And that's going to happen," Williams said. "I think if we build that foundation, it's going to be hard not to improve relations moving forward."

Williams, along with new Mayor Lenny Curry, begin that reaching out to the community at Wednesday night's Art Walk. The new sheriff admits is the first of many steps and a lot of work ahead.

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Some of Williams' top priorities are more tangible. 

"Our fleet is in terrible shape. Something, again, that the mayor and I have talked about," Williams said. "But officers on the street ... rebuilding some of that manpower that we've lost over the years. Nothing you can do in one budget cycle, but he and I have talked about a plan to build out over the next couple of years."

Williams knows that fixing many of the issues face the department will take some time, but that won't stop him from working on solutions immediately. Williams said that he will look at other organizations around the country, see what is working for them and figure out how to put some of their strategies in place in Jacksonville.

News4Jax crime and safety analyst Gil Smith said one thing Williams has already done is a positive sign.

"One of the best things that we have seen so far is that he is united with the mayor," Smith said. "That was such a problem with the last administration. They just did not get along -- the mayor and the sheriff. It seems like Lenny Curry and Mike Williams is a very good relationship, so that's a good start."

Outgoing Sheriff John Rutherford, who attended Williams' inauguration, said his 12 years as sheriff has been a rewarding experience. He added that the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is in good hands with Williams.

"We've had some long discussions about the challenges ahead and he's ready. He's very well-prepared," Rutherford said.

One of the things that Williams feels has prepared him the most for his new job is talking to people in the community during the campaign. He says that he has heard from many that there is a disconnect between the public and the Sheriff's Office. Williams says that he will work to rebuild that trust right from the start.

"It's something that you have to work on every day. You can never take it for granted," Williams said. "It's always something we can improve upon, and we are going to work on that every day."

In addition to Rutherford, several Jacksonville police officers and Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper were in the audience to support Williams.