Former Walton County Sheriff's Deputy announces bid to take office

Former Walton County Sheriff's Reserve Lieutenant Tom Cooper has filed to enter the Sheriff's race. He pre-qualified on March 24 as a Republican.
"Although there are many qualified candidates in the race, I believe what puts me above the rest is my local experience and the service I have provided to this community and the department. During my tenure I have faithfully served the citizens of the county without prejudice, and will continue to do so should the electors entrust in me. We will provide new ideas and increase the quality of law enforcement service to the citizens of the County through a team concept.
"The Office of the Sheriff is a powerful position within the government. It demands someone with strong character, who will afford the dedicated and professional employees of the Sheriff's Office proven leadership; one not afraid to be on the front line with those he sends there; a responsive leader with values and vision and someone who supports the staff he employs. If elected, I will be accessible, communicate, and always perform in the best interest for the citizens of Walton County."
Tom has many plans for the Office and his priorities include: "Clearly defining the expectations of the organization's mission, establishing an accountable and responsible finance department, and opening communication lines with the community will be of utmost importance." he said.
Tom's goals include:
• Law Enforcement Accreditation to standardize the mission of the Office. This will assist in providing across the board consistency and professionalism for the operation as a whole.
• Enhancing the training program to provide all staff with the most current procedures and practices to ensure they have the necessary skills to perform their job safely and effectively.
• Create a community service division that brings the office to the people. This will include establishing office hours in the Paxton, Freeport, and Santa Rosa Beach sub stations and will strengthen the open door policy.
• Employee Assistance and Career Development Programs will be added. These programs are designed to assist the employee, and outline clear training objectives that must be met to advance within the ranks.
• Work mutually with all law enforcement and emergency service providers to establish the best practices and policies with regards to investigations, emergency planning, emergency response, and communications while remaining fiscally responsible.
Tom began his career with Walton County Sheriff's Department in 1987 as a Communication Officer at the Santa Rosa Beach Sub Station and shortly thereafter moved into the Patrol Division. In 1995 he was promoted to Sergeant and was chosen to head the Beach Patrol unit in 1997. After resigning in 1998, Tom returned in 2000 to command the Sheriff's Department Reserve Unit which consisted of a maximum of ten officers. He served on the South Walton Fire District Board of Commissioners from 2000-2006 including two years as vice chairman; was the first chairperson for Crime Stoppers of Walton County, past vice president and past director of the Sandestin Lions Club.
Tom is currently the Director of Security for the Sandestin Owners Association. In this position he is responsible for administering the daily operation of a 40 person staff, a sizeable operational budget, and the safety and protection of a community of over 4500 residences, numerous commercial operations, and thousands of visitors. "Sandestin Owners Association is unique. By nature of its size, design and statutory requirements for Homeowner Associations, we operate very similar to that of a municipality or other governmental entity. This has given me very valuable experience." says Tom.
Tom is a 1982 graduate of South Dade High School in Homestead, Fla. He graduated from Miami Dade Community College in 1986 with an A.S. in criminal justice, and pursued further criminal justice education at the University of West Florida. He received his formal law enforcement training at Southeast Florida Institute of Criminal Justice where he graduated with honors.
Tom has numerous hours of additional law enforcement, management, finance, and emergency management training and is a licensed Community Association Manager. He is married and resides in Santa Rosa Beach with wife Christine, and is Methodist by Faith.
"Communication is a leadership imperative," says Tom. "If the citizens of the county will believe in me, support me and vote for me, I will provide the leadership necessary for an office that will be open, available, and responsive to the needs of Walton County."