Studer Community Institute

Escambia Sheriff withdraws from federal task forces

February 13, 2015
/ Mollye Barrows
/ government

Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan says he has cooperated fully with federal agencies during his six years in office and it has been a good working relationship with them, until recently. Now he has sent a letter to Pamela Marsh, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, ending what he says is a "one-sided love affair." "My folks work a tremendous number of hours and I have a lot of respect for federal agents in the field, but I'm not going to tolerate the disrespect to my officers," Morgan said. The issue stems, in part, from a major heroin bust last May. Morgan says his office worked closely with the U.S. Attorney's Office to investigate and round up a large amount of drugs, cash and numerous suspects, but when it came to make the announcement to the media, the feds did not include the Escambia Sheriff's Office in the release or give them proper credit for their part in the investigation. "For a period of about three or four weeks I'm asking my guys every three or four days when are we doing this joint press release and the next thing I know, they've put out the information and,'Oh by the way, we had some help from the Escambia Sheriff's Office.' No coordination, no nothing." Morgan says he told Marsh, "You left me hanging and I'm not happy," but there was little response. He says he already was perturbed with the U.S. Attorney for not backing him up when he requested more money from Escambia County Commissioners to run the jail, in 2013. He asked for millions to help meet recommendations by the U.S. Department of Justice to correct glaring management and civil rights issues, but commissioners balked at the request at the time. "Between that and the issue with the joint press release, I had enough," said Morgan. "We might coordinate again, but basically what you're telling me is, 'I'm not worth your time.'" Morgan says that's when he decided to send a letter to Marsh informing her of the situation. He says she has not responded. Marsh's public information officer confirmed Morgan sent a letter, "advising that he was withdrawing his employees from federal task forces." Morgan says the change will not have an impact on criminal investigations in Escambia County, that the feds primarily paid for overtime — to the tune of between $70,000 and $100,000 —but that his department can cover those costs and conduct their own investigations. He says this is not of severing of information-sharing or investigative ties, nor does it affect the department's working relationship with other federal agencies. The U.S. Attorney's Office declined to comment further saying, "we believe that the cooperation of law enforcement agencies and the sharing of resources best serves the community. Therefore, we will push forward with our other law enforcement partners in a combined effort to keep the community safe."

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Escambia Sheriff withdraws from federal task forces

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