Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams says defunding law enforcement agencies is the worst policy idea

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — QUICK FACTS:

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on police reform Tuesday. This comes after the death of George Floyd and hundreds of protests across the country calling to “defund the police.”
This order encourages better police practices by establishing a database to keep track of officers with a history of excessive use-of-force complaints. It also encourages co-responder programs in which social workers join police when responding to non-violent calls involving mental health.
Action News Jax reporter Meghan Moriarty asked Sheriff Mike Williams what he thought about the movement to “defund the police.”
“The idea of defunding law-enforcement agencies around the country, that include ours, is probably one of the worst policy ideas I’ve ever heard,” Sheriff Williams said.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office makes up about 40% of the city’s budget. Sheriff Williams said about 85% of their budget is salaries and benefits. If the city were to cut JSO’s budget, they would have to lay officers off.

Photos: Trees, power lines, signs blown down as storms move through Jacksonville area