There are three people up for Alachua County Sheriff this year: a Democrat, a Republican and a nonpartisan candidate.
Republican candidate Emery Gainey is the incumbent, having served as Alachua County Sheriff for the past year after previous Sheriff Clovis Watson stepped down. He was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and seeks to continue his work in Alachua County through the election, which he had been planning to do since last Fall. He has previously served as Marion County Sheriff and chief of staff for the Florida Attorney General’s Office. He also used to be a chief deputy at the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, working there for more than 25 years from 1982 to 2007.
Democratic candidate Chad Scott was born and raised in Gainesville. He completed his police academy training in Alachua County and worked at the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, where he first served as a school resource officer and then worked on drug crime enforcement. He was fired in 2007 over allegations that he’d failed to be honest in his work and to properly supervise his subordinates. He then served as Chief of Police in the city of Alachua. Later, he rejoined the sheriff’s office in 2022, working his way up to colonel. He resigned to run for sheriff last May.
Candidate Pamela Marshall-Koons is running under no party affiliation. Marshall-Koons held several local government positions while she lived in Memphis, Tennessee, including chief of staff for the Shelby County Mayor’s Office, where she oversaw all county departments, including the sheriff’s office and the county jail. She also served as the Memphis Area Association of Governments Executive Director. She is currently registered with no political party, though she has registered Democrat in past years.
The Alligator sent a questionnaire to all three candidates with the following questions included to allow them to speak about their policies in their own words.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
Emery Gainey:
“1. Restaffing the agency with employees who are dedicated to serving others. My team has made significant strides to fill the 248 vacant positions we inherited.
2. Focus on tackling violent crime and promoting collaboration with our community partners. Reestablishing positive working relationships with our local, state and federal partners in order to address the increasing gun violence in our county, along with other criminal activities.
3. Emphasizing school safety, domestic violence prevention and mental health support by partnering with local service providers to work collaboratively with community organizations to improve the quality of life in Alachua County.”
Chad Scott:
“1. Addressing Gun Violence Prevention: I am committed to creating safer communities by advocating for sensible gun safety measures and enhancing resources to prevent gun violence.
2. Mental Health Support: I will prioritize expanding mental health resources and integrating mental health professionals into our law enforcement responses. We also need more mental health support for our officers.
3. Recruiting Women to Law Enforcement: I believe in actively recruiting women to ensure the sheriff's department reflects our diverse, inclusive community. ACSO has hired two women as officers in the last year, and I believe we have to do better.”
Pamela Marshall-Koons: Marshall-Koons did not respond to The Alligator’s questionnaire. According to her campaign website, she lists combating gun violence, uniting the county, protecting future leaders, destigmatizing mental illness and prioritizing crime prevention over incarceration as some of her goals.
Why are you running?
Emery Gainey: “Upon taking office, it became evident that the agency required experienced leadership to effectively guide our dedicated staff and address a critical gap in experienced leadership. I am running for sheriff to restore honor, dedication and integrity to the citizens of Alachua County and members of the ACSO, while also tackling the persistent crime issues in our community. I am the only candidate that has actually served as the second in command of the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, and as the sheriff of both Marion and Alachua Counties, thus bringing actual proven leadership in administration and budget to the agency.”
Chad Scott: “I am running for office to address the pressing issues in Alachua County and uphold our community’s values, which are not reflected in our DeSantis-appointed interim sheriff. I’m running because I truly believe in the potential of our community and the urgent need for change. As a school resource officer, I’ve witnessed the effects of gun violence and mental health struggles firsthand, and it breaks my heart. I want to create a safer, more supportive environment for all of us. It’s important to me that every voice is heard and that our policies reflect compassion and equity.”
Pamela Marshall-Koons: Marshall-Koons did not respond to The Alligator’s questionnaire. She told Main Street Daily News she learned that a majority of jail inmates had mental illnesses during her tenure as the Shelby County Mayor Office’s chief of staff, and she said it “sparked a lasting desire” for her to help.
Name one thing the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office does well and one thing it could improve upon.
Emery Gainey: “The ACSO prioritizes calls for service in the most efficient manner possible given our limited staffing and has a great reputation within the community for our positive interactions with most of our citizens. Due to the 248 open positions my team and I inherited upon taking office, the agency is not as efficient in responding to traffic-related problems within the community as we should be. As we continue to fill these vacancies, (over 190 hired in the past year to fill inherited vacancies and normal attrition due to retirements, etc.) we will better address the excessive speeding concerns.”
Chad Scott: “Alachua County Sheriff’s Office does well with their critical incident management. Our deputies are trained to handle high-pressure situations, ensuring a quick and decisive response while prioritizing the safety of everyone involved. This saves lives in critical situations. However, one area that needs improvement is morale and retention within the department. It's vital that we foster a supportive work environment where our officers feel valued and supported so that we keep our officers. By investing in professional development, mental health resources and open lines of communication about pay scale and raises, we can improve job satisfaction and retention.”
Pamela Marshall-Koons: Marshall-Koons did not respond to The Alligator’s questionnaire.
How would you reduce recidivism in Alachua County?
Emery Gainey: “Our agency has several programs designed and dedicated to crime prevention, to include our School Resource Deputy program, Teen Court Program, Crime Prevention Program, etc. These programs are designed to offer participants avenues to select alternatives to becoming involved in the criminal justice system. Additionally, members of our agency participate in multiple community-based programs (such as the SWAG Family Resource Center) designed to offer family resiliency and prevention programs prior to being introduced to the criminal justice system, and we work with community groups whose mission is to offer former inmates career opportunities.”
Chad Scott: “One of the most important things we can do is work with the county on implementing a robust re-entry program that will provide support such as job training, mental health treatment and stable housing options. This is one of my top priorities. These programs are designed not only to reduce recidivism — which keeps the public safe — but assists in the successful reintegration of individuals into society. If an individual can find housing when they are released from jail, their chances of recidivism drastically decrease, along with their chances of ending up homeless.”
Pamela Marshall-Koons: Marshall-Koons did not respond to The Alligator’s questionnaire. According to her campaign website, she wants to bridge the gap for mentally ill people in Alachua County’s community.
The county’s use of police dogs has been a subject of debate. What would be your approach to handling Alachua County’s K-9 unit?
Emery Gainey: “I am not familiar with your statement that the ‘…county’s use of police dogs has been a subject of debate.’ I am aware that the City of Gainesville’s use of police dogs has been in the headlines in the past. The Sheriff’s Office has a very thorough policy guide detailing our procedures on how and when a K-9 may be utilized or deployed, handler and K-9 training requirements, post apprehension procedures, etc. The ACSO Command and training staff will continue to follow all legal guidelines, safety and industry standards in the utilization of our K-9’s. ACSO K-9 policy.”
Chad Scott: “It is important to understand that the main job of the K-9 unit is not apprehension. While attention often focuses on incidents like aggressive dogs, their broader impact is underappreciated: K-9s help locate missing children, keep guns out of schools, detect drugs and secure venues from explosives. I believe all high-risk law enforcement activities, including K-9 units, must be regularly assessed to align with community needs and best practices. During my time at ACSO, I saw firsthand how effectively and safely the K-9 teams operated. My priority would be to ensure they continue to uphold this high standard of professionalism.”
Pamela Marshall-Koons: Marshall-Koons did not respond to The Alligator’s questionnaire. It is unclear what her position is on K-9 management.
What traits do you bring to the table that make you a good candidate?
Emery Gainey: “I’m the only candidate with over 40 years of LE experience who has actually and successfully served as a sheriff, in both Marion and currently Alachua County. I bring a proven track record of leadership, service and senior management skills to the agency. I have an extensive history managing budgets in excess of $400 million dollars and working with multiple state, federal and local elected and appointed leaders. My team’s success over the past year turning around an agency that was left in chaos speaks to my commitment to work collaboratively with staff and local agencies to serve our citizens.”
Chad Scott: “I bring a unique blend of experience, compassion and dedication to my candidacy. As a school resource officer, I witnessed the challenges our community faces, particularly regarding youth safety and mental health. My time as Chief in Alachua allowed me to build strong teams and implement policies that make a real difference in people's lives. I pride myself on being approachable and always ready to listen to your concerns. It’s important to me that everyone feels heard and valued, as I believe that collaboration and open communication are essential for creating positive change in our community.”
Pamela Marshall-Koons: Marshall-Koons did not respond to The Alligator’s questionnaire. According to her campaign website, “Pamela brings with her a deep understanding of the critical issues that plague our society, particularly the challenges surrounding the incarceration of the mentally ill and veterans. Her dedication to holistic community well-being aligns seamlessly with the imperative to address these issues with compassion, proactive measures, and strategic solutions.”
The Alligator Editorial Board put together the candidates' answers for this article. Contact them at editor@alligator.org.
