Five people are seeking the office of Alachua County Sheriff, including three running on the Democratic ticket.

Peter King, Chad Scott and Latrell Simmons will vie for the Democratic nomination in the Aug. 20 primary election.

The men look to replace former Alachua County Sheriff Clovis Watson Jr., who stepped down from office on Oct. 1 due to health reasons after announcing in June that he would not be running for a second term.

Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Emery Gainey as interim sheriff. Gainey is also running for the position.

Mainstreet is publishing candidate questionnaire answers as received, with only edits for clarity.   

Peter King

Age: 57

Occupation: Unemployed. I resigned [from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office] to run for Sheriff on June 7.

Website: www.peterking4sheriff.com/

Previous experience in elected office: None

Public service other than elected office:

Retired military veteran. Served 20 years in the United States Army Reserves –19 of those years I served as a medic.

I attended multiple leadership courses.

I was assigned as the Nuclear Biological Chemical Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NBC/NCOIC).

l was an emergency room supervisor and a ward master. I obtained a second military occupational specialty (MOS) as a Military Police [officer] before retiring with my 20 years of service.

I started my career at the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) on July 31, 2000, and resigned on June 7.

During my time at ACSO. I worked as a deputy in the patrol division and the juvenile relations bureau (JRB).

I worked in the Warrants Bureau/U.S. Marshals [Service’s] Fugitive Task Force as an investigator.

I worked in the Office of Professional Standards (OPS) as an inspector, and in the Training and Juvenile Relations Bureau (JRB) as a sergeant.

I served on multiple special teams: Immediate Response Rifle Team, Honor Guard, Crowd Management Team and the SWAT Team.

What prompted you to run for election?

My reasons for running are greater than myself.

There is a need for change. A need to bridge the gap between leadership and the employees and to raise morale. To improve the relationship with the agency and the communities in Alachua County.

I can say that being born and raised in this county and witnessing the increase in gun violence, drugs and mental health issues are concerning and need to be addressed.

I mentor and volunteer in this county. Everything that I do in my life is centered around service to others.

What two things would you prioritize as Alachua County Sheriff?

As Alachua County Sheriff, the first two things I would prioritize would be staffing and communication.

The staffing includes recruitment and retention. We need to find qualified and diverse recruits to help with staffing. It may take months to get them on the road, but new energy is needed. I know for a fact that the ACSO has a great group of men and women who serve faithfully and with honor every day. I will work to ensure that retention improves and is at its highest.

There is a lot of wisdom and knowledge that leaves with the person if they are not retained.

It is important that this agency is a reflection of the community.

Communication must change. There are positive things that are happening within the agency that are important and that need to be shared, and they’re not being communicated effectively, and this will change.

What would you do differently than your opponents?

I can only speak for myself.

First, I am not a politician.

As your Sheriff, I will be a servant leader and lead with passion. Passion over position.

I will be approachable, accessible and a community-oriented Sheriff. I will welcome new ideas.

I don’t profess to know all the answers, but I promise to surround myself with a leadership team that can help lead this agency in the right direction to make this county the safest in the state and eventually the country.

After graduating from P.K. Yonge as a “Lifer” at the age of 17, I enlisted in the military. As a proud veteran, serving my country taught me how to put the mission first and the soldiers (employees) always. I will keep this mindset as I serve this county as the Sheriff.

I’m a global missions team leader for Haiti with my church, PASSAGE Family Church. All of the above mentioned has allowed me to continually serve with empathy and compassion. My time is my training.

Chad Scott

Age: 57

Occupation: Captain in the city of Alachua’s Police Department

Website: chadscottforsheriff.com/

Previous experience in elected office: None

Public service other than elected office:

I have been a law enforcement officer for over 35 years. I began my career in the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, served as Chief of Police in Alachua, and held various roles within law enforcement including school resource officer, Special Operations, narcotics investigations, and leading initiatives in community policing and drug prevention programs. I’ve worked in every single department of the Sheriff’s office.

What prompted you to run for election?

I am running for Sheriff because I believe in the power of community-based law enforcement to make a significant difference. My entire career has been devoted to public safety, community engagement and proactive policing. I am deeply committed to continuing this work on a larger scale, ensuring that our community is safe, our law enforcement is responsive, and our children grow up in a nurturing environment.

What two things would you prioritize as Alachua County Sheriff?

If elected as Alachua County Sheriff, my top priorities would be enhancing community policing to strengthen trust between law enforcement and the community, and expanding mental health resources within the department. Enhancing community policing involves increasing officer presence in communities, fostering open dialogues with residents, and implementing educational programs that promote safety and awareness. For mental health, I aim to double the size of our mental health officers and add additional leadership and resources to make sure we can get individuals the help they need.

What would you do differently than your opponents?

I am the only candidate who has served as a police chief and managed a police department, bringing firsthand leadership experience to this role. Unlike my opponents, I am committed to a transformative approach to law enforcement that deeply integrates community engagement and mental health support with proactive crime prevention strategies. My comprehensive training programs will focus on de-escalation techniques, mental health awareness, and enhancing community relations, equipping our officers to handle complex situations with compassion and efficiency.

Additionally, I plan to significantly enhance the transparency of our department by leveraging advanced technology to improve efficiency. This will involve modernizing our systems to ensure that the community has easy access to pertinent information and can actively participate in governance by holding us accountable. Having worked my way to the top of the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, I understand the critical importance of transparency and community trust in law enforcement.

Latrell Simmons

Age:  47

Occupation:  Law Enforcement Major, University of Florida Police Department

Website: https://linktr.ee/vote.latrell.simmons

Previous experience in elected office: None

Public service other than elected office: 

With over 25 years of experience in law enforcement, my career has been marked by a progression through various executive-level positions at the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office. These roles, including major of operations and support services, chief inspector, assistant jail director, and security operations commander (DOJ), have allowed me to develop a comprehensive understanding of public safety management. I hold dual certifications in law enforcement and corrections, and I am a graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy (Session 267).

In March 2022, I brought my leadership to the University of Florida Police Department as a captain, now serving as a major overseeing support services, community services, and admin support services divisions, continuing my dedication to community-focused policing and maintaining operational excellence.

What prompted you to run for election? 

The citizens of Alachua County deserve a sheriff who is dedicated to serving the needs of all citizens. One who is a proven leader with experience and a commitment to transparency, accountability, and community engagement. My background, combined with my passion for community, drove me to step up and offer my leadership. I believe in fostering trust between law enforcement and the community through proactive outreach and responsive service. I am committed to implementing policies that prioritize fairness and equity. Ultimately, I am running to ensure that every resident of Alachua County feels safe and supported by their Sheriff’s Office.

What two things would you prioritize as Alachua County Sheriff?

As Sheriff of Alachua County, a few of my top priorities will be addressing gun violence and mental health issues. Gun violence, particularly among our youth, is a pressing concern that demands immediate attention. I will lead initiatives working closely with youth, community organizations, and utilizing local, state and federal resources to combat violent crimes effectively.

Mental health is equally critical and intertwined with public safety. Enhancing the Co-Responder Team and crisis intervention training (CIT) for deputies will be a priority to ensure they can provide immediate support and resources during mental health crises. This collaborative approach between law enforcement and mental health services will ensure a compassionate and effective response, contributing to a safer community overall.

By focusing on these priorities, we can mitigate the impact of gun violence, improve mental health outcomes, and create a safer and more supportive environment for all residents of Alachua County.

What would you do differently than your opponents?

As a candidate for Sheriff of Alachua County, I would differentiate myself from my opponents through several key initiatives and approaches:

1. Community-centered policing: I would emphasize a proactive approach to community policing, prioritizing relationships and trust-building with residents with the goal of implementing neighborhood-specific policing strategies tailored to local needs.

2. Comprehensive mental health support: In addition to crisis intervention training and co-responder teams, I would advocate for expanded mental health resources within the Sheriff’s Office that would be available to all employees. 

3. Transparency and accountability: I would commit to fostering a culture of transparency within the Sheriff’s office that earns the trust and confidence of the community.

4. Youth outreach and education: Given the rise in youth-related gun violence, I would focus on developing innovative youth outreach programs aimed at providing positive alternatives and mentorship opportunities through collaboration with schools, community centers and youth organizations.

Editor’s note: A correction was made on the number of overall candidates for Alachua County Sheriff.