Campbell, Sprague spar at Editorial Board meeting
Four-term incumbent squares off against newcomer in sheriff’s race
Challenger Lisa Sprague and Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell answer questions during an interview with the editorial board of the Tallahassee Democrat on Wednesday. / Michael Schwarz/Special to the Democrat
Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell said on Wednesday that if he is re-elected in November, he will stay his course, finding efficiency and forging partnerships with other agencies.
His opponent, Lisa Sprague, said she, too, would pursue efficiency and implement policies that would make it up-to-date.
“My vision for Leon County Sheriff is a new era of law enforcement in Leon County,” said Sprague, who is running with no party affiliation. “One that is built on teamwork, one that is built on modernizing and moving the sheriff’s office into the 21st Century.”
Democratic candidate Campbell, 69, and Sprague, 56, met before the Tallahassee Democrat’s editorial board to share their ideas for the county’s top law enforcement seat. They agreed the county has seen a rise in crime and that the department should consolidate some resources with other agencies. They differed in how they view cooperative relationships between the Leon County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies as well as differences about the proportion of racial groups represented in the county’s jail population.
The county saw an increased crime rate in the 2011 Annual Uniform Crime Report, released earlier this year by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. In 2011 there was a 5.7-percent increase in the crime rate from 2010, and a 6.3-percent increase in the overall volume of crimes.
October 19, 2012 at 9:30 PM
The question asked: “How many years have you been on the street as a law enforcement officer?” Lisa Sprague answered, ” 30+ years of law enforcementce experience”. No, those are not years spent walking the beat. riding a horse or driving a patrol car. Those years were apparently spent in administrative capacities, same as that of a “Sheriff”. You don’t see Campbell answering calls for service or writing reports, no, you see him making administrative decisions. The people you see answering the calls and writing the reports are the deputies and their supervisors.
The deputies on the road at this time, are too frightened to open their mouths and speak the truth about how they’re ordered to preform their positions. They don’t necessarily agree with what they’re being told to do but they do it, in fear of losing their jobs.
Most of the brass (supervisors: sergeants, liutenants, majors and captains) do as they’re told because they’re rewarded quite nicely for their obedience. They get those all expense paid trips to foreign countries, accommodating states and cities. Their superiors gratitude is shown to them through promotion and/or training trips (some even take their lovers with them. and I don’t mean their marital partners. Yes, the current “Sheriff” is aware of atleast one of these occurences and the two timing husband wasn’t punished by the Dept., instead, I believe he was promoted. This action giving the “Sheriff” more power to control this employee and assuring his silence and obedience in current and future situations.
If Lisa Sprague is elected Leon County Sheriff, and I hope that she is, I can count on her not to promote on behavior unbecoming and officer or husband/wife. What she’s said on the forums I’ve listened to, she has shown a fresh, new outlook on how to run Leon County. Her thoughts are new and open for discussion and compromise. She doesn’t know everything but she’s willing to listen and learn. She states she has 30 plus years of law enforcement experience and sometimes listening, watching and discussing situations can teach one more than actually answering a single call and learning from just that one.
Campbell has been in office too long. The power of his office has taken over his judgement. He is physically ill and from the statements he’s made most recently, he’s not of sound mind or means. We, as a county, are not safe under the leadership of Campbell and his posey of non do gooders. Who mostly have received their brass (promotions) by their misconduct, not their heroism.
I’ve personally watched Campbell smoke his cigarettes in front of elementary school children, on the playground of their elementary school. Last I checked, it’s against the law to smoke on school grounds. Campbells office at the Sheriff’s Department is proof in itself that he smokes in his office in the county owned and operated building. He has fans blowing to try and air out the awful smell that consumes the entire floor. Again, I believe this is against the law. He has already served 2 terms in office, even if we stretch the truth a bit and say he was good for our County at one time, I can base my life on the fact that he no longer has anything to offer any of us.
Larry Campbell’s son, Jack, is currently supervisor to the Assistant State Attorney’s, here in Leon County. He’s currently in charge of the other Assistant State Attorney’s who work very hard to do their jobs well, fair and to the very best of their ability. What happens to the ASA’s working under Jack Campbell when the case they’re given conflicts with that of which Larry Campbell’s Office sends to the State Attorney? Do you possibly think the defendents in these cases are given fair and just treatment? Do you possibly think the ASA’s who work under Jack Campbell are not in fear of retalliation, just as the Deputies who work under Larry Campbell are? This entire situation where father and son, working in these capacities, in the same venue, are nothing but constant conflicts of interest, and are in nobody’s best interest. Not one of the cases that went through Jack Campbell, from his father’s department, should be held up as being tried as fair and without prejudice.
Just one more quick bite of information. Julie Montanaro, anchor for WCTV – CBS Channel in Tallahassee and one of Larry Campbells buddies, was given detailed information over a year ago advising her, of illegal and corrupt activites that were going on at the Leon County Sheriff’s Department. Not only did she not bother to look into it but she hid the information, not bothering to advise her Editor or bring it to the attention of FDLE or the FBI. This can be verified. She kept her mouth shut, but for what reason? Does Campbell have something on her too or did she want to have the scoop on all the “HOT” stories first. Her ego has taken it’s toll too on this community. I remember when there was a small boy who finished his t-ball practice and was waiting for his parent to pick him up. A van pulled up and tried to lure the child into it (this was right after the attempted abductions of other children in Tallahassee, also with the suspect in a white van). The child was able to get away unharmed thank God. The next evening, Montanaro and her crew showed, on the 6:00pm news, where the Sheriff’s Office had their unmarked patrol car parked and what it looked like. Their hopes were that the suspect would return in the white van. I expect the suspect saw the news and the unmarked car and fled the area because that was the last attempt reported in that area. Because of that unthoughful broadcast we may have lost the suspect that may have gone somewhere else and took other victims. We’ll never know.
My last comment, Larry Campbell has had his time as Sheriff. He’s not well physically or mentally. His judgements and his word cannot be trusted. We need, right now, new leadership. A fresh beginning for our County. I say “Vote for Lisa Sprague – Sheriff – Leon County” I think we’ll all be happy for the breath of fresh air at the Leon County Sheriff’s Department and Leon County in general.