Bill Prummell sworn in as Florida Sheriff Association president

TALLAHASSEE — Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell will lead the Florida Sheriffs Association for the coming year.

Prummell was sworn in as the FSA president Tuesday night, during the organization’s annual Summer Conference.

The Charlotte County sheriff extended his gratitude to his peers for the opportunity and years of prior cooperation between counties.

“I have said many times that there is nothing we cannot accomplish as long as we all work together, and I can’t wait to look back on those things a year from now and see our success,” he said in his remarks. “What a blessing it is for us to do this work in the great state of Florida.”

The Florida Sheriffs Association was founded in 1893 as an organization to support the needs of the state’s law enforcement community, according to a CCSO news release on Wednesday.

“The not-for-profit organization enhances the unified efforts of the sheriffs from all 67 counties in Florida, empowering them to collaborate and discuss critical law enforcement-related issues with lawmakers,” the release stated.

The organization also coordinates training opportunities for member offices, as well as designating special task forces and lobbying for policies in the criminal justice sphere “to better serve the people of Florida.”

Prummell will be the 102nd person to serve as the FSA’s president, succeeding Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper.

In his speech at the conference, Prummell emphasized the importance of juvenile programs, such as the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches.

He also spoke about “items on the November elections ballot that could change the landscape of Florida forever,” according to the news release.

Among the concerns is Prummell has expressed his opposition to a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow recreation use of marijuana.