Donnie Martinez

The Honest Choice for Osceola County Sheriff

THE PEOPLE’S SHERIFF

Powered by the People 

I believe that it is time for new leadership and a PEOPLE’S Sheriff in Osceola County. We need a Sheriff “Powered by the People”. In the last decade in the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, there have been corruption, unsuccessful investigations for major crimes, a lack of investment in the "Big 3";  Tools, Technology, and Training for Officers, and a tone set resulting in public distrust based on discrimination and a lack of leadership striving for integrity and inclusivity. My investment in Osceola County is beginning with an investment in myself, learning the latest training and techniques the current recruits are receiving at the Law Enforcement Academy at Eastern Florida State College.  I want to be a mentor to the community and the next generation of Law Enforcement Officers. I BELIEVE IT'S TIME TO UNITE THE PEOPLE OF OSCEOLA COUNTY WITH A NEW SHERIFF THAT WILL STAND WITH THE PEOPLE AND BRING TRUST, HONESTY, INTEGRITY TO THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE.  I wanted to be able to share the latest tools, technology, and training with the Officers I want to lead.   I have seen injustice, crime, and a lack of public trust ruin families and communities. I wish to be part of shaping the next generation and I have a desire for public safety and to serve my community. I believe law enforcement requires immense dedication and commitment to the community for which we serve which I possess. It can be incredibly rewarding as an officer to have the opportunity to make a significant impact on people’s lives through inclusion, trust, and knowledge.  I have the heart of a Public Servant.  It is an incredibly honorable profession that requires someone like myself with strong moral principles, courage, and life experiences to relate to the legalities at hand in any given situation to bring criminals to justice. WHETHER THEY WEAR A BADGE OR A CIVILIAN, NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW, EQUAL JUSTICE FOR ALL PEOPLE.

As Sheriff of Osceola County, I will work extremely hard to ensure that the promises are kept in ensuring the public safety of all Osceola County residents as I fulfill the duties and responsibilities as Sheriff.  I promise to restore the community’s trust and confidence in the Sheriff’s Department one day at a time and to reverse the undercurrent of bias that still echoes today.   I intend to make the necessary improvements and right the ship. My plan is to be a fiscally responsible public servant dedicated to Public Safety.  I will promote not to "De-Fund" the agency but to "Re-Allocate" funds to fight crime.  I honor the law enforcement officers who have come before and laid the foundation for true policing by protecting & Serving our citizens.  I believe that now is the time to usher our Sheriff’s Office into a new era of intelligence-led, community-based policing focused on accountability and professionalism.

With Osceola County’s explosive growth and the realities of increased major crimes and gang activity, my first priority will be to increase officer training to improve the outcomes in emergency response times and investigation skills by providing advanced technology and tools to help deputies in the field. Enforcing the law and providing quality service dedicated to public safety, constitutionally, is the first obligation of Sheriff. I intend to do this without adding additional costs.  I have a long performance history of being fiscally responsible.  I intend not to De-Fund but to Re-Allocate funds to improve the agency's overall performance and improve public trust.  Our deputies need to know we back them, we will invest in them, and we trust them as they put their lives on the line as dedicated public servants.

Introducing Intelligence Led Policing and Community Oriented Policing are also important changes that I believe are needed in the Sheriff’s Department to address the unprecedented growth. Osceola County residents want a professional law enforcement agency that has embraced fair, responsive, inclusive, community-based policing models. As a law enforcement academy graduate, I know firsthand what is being taught to our next generation of Officers.  I know these policies work and are essential to a successful effort to combat crime. The PEOPLE MUST HAVE A VOICE and feel protected by law enforcement. I want to hear from them and I will listen.  I want to build a partnership with the community and our Sheriff Deputies.

I want to retain top talent and allow for ways to incentivize Officers and civilian employees that will not lead to burnout and stress. There is currently a revolving door of personnel at the entry-level of the Sheriff’s Department. Deputies are leaving for higher-paying jobs causing shortages in staffing and an increase in burdening our Officers with excess overtime inciting burnout and stress in a career that should be dedicated to ensuring public safety. I will make the job of an Osceola County Deputy the most sought-after law enforcement job in Central Florida as well as bring back the trust to every Citizen in Osceola county not because it the right thing to do but you deserve to Trust us to be there for you when you need us.

I DON’T CARE IF YOU’RE DEMOCRAT OR INDEPENDENT OR REPUBLICAN OR WHATEVER, AT THE END OF THE DAY,  I AM THE SHERIFF FOR ALL PEOLPLE.

I would like to encourage everyone who believes that it’s the Right Time Right Reason Right Choice to move forward with change that PROTECTS THE PEOPLE in Osceola County to support me for Osceola County Sheriff.

 Donnie Martinez