Bill Armstrong announces he is running for Orange County Sheriff

Bill Armstrong Campaign ^ | 3/21/06 | Agincourt1415

[agincourt1415]

A new Sheriff for Orange County, Florida.

[clawrence3]

Darn - I thought someone was taking on Mike Corona - wrong Orange County.

[agincourt1415]

There are at least 3 Orange Counties in the United States.

Maybe more.

[agincourt1415]

Just thought I would let you know about the just announced candidate for Sheriff.

What you been upto lately?

[VeniVidiVici]

From his website:

My goal is to deploy an additional 50 Deputies within the first six months of my administration, WITHOUT requesting a budget increase. THIS IS JUST A START ….

And yet a supposed question from OCSO employees:

OUR INVESTIGATORS ARE OVERWHELMED WITH UNSOLVED CASES. MUCH OF THIS IS DUE TO A MANPOWER SHORTAGE…WHAT’S YOUR SOLUTION?

More often than not, to fulfull the campaign promise of more deputies out in the street means current investigators are released of their duties and put back in uniform. Naturally, they are replaced somewhere down the road with cronies of the new sheriff.

Any idea how long he worked for SCSO and now BCSO?

[agincourt1415]

Bill was with Seminole 5 years, and created a Helicopter Division where there was none, on a thin budget, when he retired, he left them with 3 Helicopters, a new Hangar, and a great Division.

So do you work at OCS now?

[agincourt1415]

You say that OSC does not have enough investigators.

How come OSC has the same number of Division Chiefs as LA COUNTY SHERIFF? A Department twice the size of OSC.

And the Special Units?

I'll bet there is about 20 million in waste that is going to salaries, and people going to meetings and wasting time, at OSC.

How about the half million dollar SWAT Hummer?

[agincourt1415]

OCS I meant, LOL!

[VeniVidiVici]

I didn't say that OCSO doesn't have enough investigators, that was pulled directly from Armstrong's website as a question from OCSO employees. THEY are the ones saying there are not enough investigators.

So which division chiefs are not needed?

Here are the current pay/benefits given to OCSO employees. Correct me if I'm wrong:

Benefits and Work Conditions

Disciplinary Procedures: allows "burden of proof" and non-attorney representation to handle appeals.
Grievance Procedure: allows "final and binding arbitration".
Deputy First Class: the passing score reduced, points added and pay increased to $1000 per year.
Seniority Preference: granted for vacations and holidays as well as for sector patrol openings.
Off-Duty Employment: Hourly rate and holiday rate increased considerably .
Agency Assigned Vehicle: Take-home vehicle restrictions improved.
Clothing Allowances: new clothing allowances for CID, PSD, SID, and various street units.
Shoe Allowance: new shoe allowance for those not already assigned shoes.
Master Deputy: reduced hourly qualification requirements and increases the pay to $1200 per year.
Court Appearance: increases court appearance time to 2 hour minimum.
Insurance Benefits: HRA Plan: 100% individual and 90% other coverages. HMO Plan: 86% individual, 81% other coverages.

Wages and Other Pay Additives:

Contract Year One: Effective October 1, 2005 - a new 17-step pay plan with 3% between steps is created with a starting salary of $33,009 and a maximum salary of $52,978. Deputies receive between approximately 2% and 10% in the initial slotting (10-1-05) and a 3% merit step on their anniversary date. Additionally, all deputies are guaranteed a minimum compensation package (wages, additives and shift differentials included) in the amount of $2500.

Contract Year Two: Effective October 1, 2006, the pay plan is reduced to 16 steps with a starting salary of $35,006 and a maximum salary of $54,537. Deputies receive a 3% pay structure adjustment on October 1, 2006 and a 3% merit step increase on their anniversary date. Existing monies from 05/06 (additives, shift differentials, etc) will not be subtracted from this year's wage plan.

Other NEW pay additives are as follows:
$900 annually for CID, SID, Court deputies and CIT.
$900 for evening shift differential and $1200 for night shift differential.
$2.25 per hour for UPD field training officers (FTOs).
$1.50 per hour for other qualified, approved field training officers (FTOs) in certified programs.

======
The benefits look extremely generous and starting pay is certainly on par with other agencies in the area. Maybe OPD is higher but, for whatever reason, OPD is some of the highest paid officers in the country.

How much would you have paid for an armored Hummer? SOs all over the country are getting military type equipment. Right or wrong, some much smaller jurisdictions than Orange County are obtaining military equipment. OCSO would be the first organization called should Disney police get overwhelmed by a terrorist attack. Are you advocating that OCSO should not be prepared?

[clawrence3]

Yes - I knew Florida has one - I was just hoping for good news too : )

[clawrence3]

Hi there - long time no see.

[agincourt1415]

The problem with the Hummer is somebody went out and paid retail for a new Hummer off the factory floor, and then spent another $300,000 on it.

Government Surplus is a great way to get stuff, but that Hummer is not surplus.

[VeniVidiVici]

Yes, we have illegals here too. But you'll be happy to know that most of our hispanic speakers are American citizens - Puerto Ricans. At least I'm happy about that.

[VeniVidiVici]

Government Surplus is a great way to get stuff, but that Hummer is not surplus.

But occasionally it pays to buy new.

Chief in our town buys used patrol cars. Go figure.

No, I'm not part of OCSO.

[clawrence3]

But, are they all hat and no cowboy?

[truth_seeker]

"There are at least 3 Orange Counties in the United States."

New Jersey (after William and the "House of Orange")

Florida (after fruits?)

California (after citrus trees)

How about Wyoming county and state?

[investigateworld]

What ever happened to Corona's so called 'shadie' Undersheriff?

[MindBender26]

I think what this candidate is saying is that he will "employ" more DS. That does not say move from other positions.

Regardless of who runs, I feel strongly that Kevin will hang it up. He is well vested in the retirement plan, has taken a lot of flak for a number of things and will probably be glad to retire.

He once told me he wanted to retire eventually and open a fishing goods store, take it easy. In addition, consulting jobs will keep him busy.

I've been on road almost 150 our of last 300 days, so have been busy. Missed lots of local stuff.

Any talk about Malone Stewart running? Have worked with him on a couple of things and he seems to be a very good guy. In addition, a Black republican with his extensive LE background could ring well with voters.

Just as long as we get rid of Vickie Vargo I am in her district, am a Conservative Republican, a former member OCREC, I consult at the US House and Senate level....... and when I need something locally for my neighborhood., I have to get it from Patty Sheehan, an openly lesbian Dem... and College Park isn't even in Patty's district! !

Vickie is hated in College Park.

PS, Lawrence Kolin considering run against Fred Brummer in County race. Kolin is a Dem, but have known him for about 20 years, a good kid. Fred is awfully tired.

Me, saying nice things about Dems??? I had a dental implant today. Maybe it's the drugs.

[MindBender26]

How can you spend ANOTHER $300,000.00 on a Hummer?

Lived for a while in Rochester. Little town there has a retired MP E-8 on PD. He knew how to work the military surplus system. He got them so much stuff it was amazing! Got them to 2 USAF ambulances, commercial, not field duty, both had less then 8,000 miles on them.

[clawrence3]

There's been so many "Assistant" Sheriffs gone bad it's hard to keep track of them all - which one are you referring to - one was a father who allowed a gang rape in his home. That one just got sued for $20 million by the victim, who was 16-years old at the time . . .