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SHERIFF MIKE WILLIAMS

Sheriff Williams addresses diversity of JSO during budget hearing

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville City Council is looking at how much money it should give the Sheriff’s Office. Thursday was the first day of budget hearings as the council looks at how to spend taxpayer dollars this year. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office makes up the largest portion of the budget. Sheriff Mike Williams on Thursday talked to the council about his plans. He was questioned about the increase and the Sheriff’s Office itself.

Mayor agrees Jacksonville is not ready to provide security for RNC

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Mayor Lenny Curry said Tuesday he was not surprised that Sheriff Mike Williams warned Monday that the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office is not prepared to provide adequate security for the Republican National Convention. Williams was absent from Tuesdays news conference, and the question was posed to Undersheriff Pat Ivey: How many personnel will be needed to provide adequate security? Im pretty sure they can handle security at an event like the RNC in their city, Trump Campaign Communications Director Tim Murtaugh said on CNN. But your security plan is set. For the security plan to be solid, you allot for those changes.

Jacksonville sheriff calls for $6.1 million increase in budget

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. As protesters across the country call for the defunding of police departments, Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams on Tuesday laid out his proposed budget to the mayors staff. The proposal calls for 40 new officers, but not much else new as the overall city budget will remain flat. The Jacksonville Sheriffs Office makes up the biggest share of the citys budget, which Mayor Lenny Currys staff is working to put together. In all, the sheriff is asking for more than $481 million, which is $6.1 million more than was approved last year. This year, its expected to be a very lean budget, and other agencies will be making their budget requests soon.

Share your questions for Sheriff Williams with us

As Jacksonville grapples with unrest over police transparency, Sheriff Mike Williams recently committed to listening to concerns from the community. On Friday, Williams will be on The Morning Show to answer questions about how the citys response to the recent protests and demonstrations calling for criminal justice reform and increased accountability. You can participate in this discussion by sharing questions you have for the sheriff with us. If yours is selected, well ask Williams about it when he visits the studio Friday morning.

Mayor Curry, Sheriff Williams walk with community, promise change

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Mayor Lenny Curry told hundreds gathered Tuesday morning to march with Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette from Jacksonville City Hall to the Duval County Courthouse that he was listening to their voices. "Were not going to agree on everything -- thats just not human history, human nature. Weve got to find common ground.Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams and many of his officers joined the short walk to the Courthouse. Curry said he felt he would be a distraction for law enforcement and could put others in danger if he marched this weekend. There are times where I put law enforcement resources at risk because they have to focus on me if Im there which isnt responsible, Curry said.

Mayor says Jacksonville would host Republican National Convention responsibly

On Thursday, News4Jax asked Mayor Lenny Curry whether Jacksonville could afford to host the convention given the cost of extra security and health precautions that the city would have to take to make sure its safe. Sheriff Mike Williams added: I will tell you that this is not just a JSO (Jacksonville Sheriffs Office) event. As far as the pandemic, Curry has been pushing for safe practices. But some are asking whether inviting the convention to Jacksonville would be a step backward. There are no certainties, but weve demonstrated the ability in the city over a number of years to host events and moving forward responsibly," the mayor said.