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Mike Chitwood

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Mike Chitwood
Official portrait, c. 2017
27th Sheriff of Volusia County
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 1, 2017
Preceded byBen Johnson
Chief of the Daytona Beach Police Department
In office
May 30, 2006 – November 11, 2016
Preceded byKenneth Small
Succeeded byCraig Capri
Chief of the Shawnee, Oklahoma Police Department
In office
May 1, 2005 – May 23, 2006
Personal details
Born
Michael Jude Chitwood

(1963-11-30) November 30, 1963 (age 61)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political partyIndependent (since 2020)
Other political
affiliations
SpouseJane Chitwood (divorced)
Children3
EducationEastern University (BA)
Nova Southeastern University (MCJ)
Occupation
  • Politician
  • law enforcement officer
Police career
Allegiance Philadelphia
DepartmentPhiladelphia Police Department
Service years1988–2005
RankLieutenant

Michael Jude Chitwood[1] (born November 30, 1963)[2] is an American politician and law enforcement officer who currently serves as the sheriff of Volusia County, Florida. He previously served as chief of police of the Daytona Beach Police Department from 2006 to 2016 and as chief of police of the Shawnee, Oklahoma, Police Department from 2005 to 2006.[3] Chitwood is currently a registered independent.[4]

As Daytona Beach chief of police, Chitwood faced a heavily publicized incident on the campus of the historically black Bethune–Cookman University, in which he was alleged to have made racist comments. The NAACP asked United States attorney general Eric Holder to probe Chitwood’s "racially tinged" comments about the disturbance.[5] In 2016, he was elected Volusia County sheriff. Since assuming office, Chitwood has maintained many public feuds with state prosecutors, judges, and politicians.[6] In 2019, Chitwood was reprimanded by Seventh Judicial Circuit Court chief judge Raul Zambrano for interfering with the judiciary and baselessly smearing circuit court judge Michael Hutcheson.[7] During the COVID-19 pandemic, Chitwood strongly advocated vaccine mandates.[8] Chitwood left the Republican Party in 2020 and disavowed Donald Trump after the January 6 United States Capitol attack.[4]

In 2024, Chitwood received national attention for perp walking and posting mugshots of children who had been arrested.[9] His actions were characterized by Kelly McBride of the Poynter Institute as "vindictive" and a "publicity stunt harmful to children".[10][11][12]

Early life and education

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Chitwood was born on November 30, 1963 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is the son of Elizabeth Chitwood and Michael Chitwood Sr, a decorated law-enforcement officer who served as police chief in Middletown, Pennsylvania, then Portland, Maine, and as police superintendent in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania.[13][4] Chitwood Jr grew up in an upper middle class household in Pennsylvania. He received a Bachelor of Organizational Management from Eastern University in 2005 and a Master of Criminal Justice from Nova Southeastern University in 2008.

Career

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Chitwood served in the Philadelphia Police Department from 1988 to 2005, attaining the rank of lieutenant. He worked patrol and then narcotics before becoming a detective. He then served as chief of police of the Shawnee, Oklahoma, Police Department from 2005 to 2006.

Daytona Beach Police Department

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Chitwood joined the Daytona Beach Police Department as police chief in 2006, where he worked for ten years until he resigned in November 2016.[13][4] He had a deeply controversial tenure while leading the department.[14] He was succeeded as chief of police by Deputy Chief Craig Capri.[15]

Controversies

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Chitwood's tenure as police chief was continually mired in controversy. In one incident, Chitwood referred to Volusia County sheriff Ben Johnson as a "moron" during a public meeting.[16] Sheriff Johnson said through a spokesman he would not dignify Chitwood's insult with a comment.[17]

On December 20, 2007, Daytona Beach police officer Claudia Wright tasered Best Buy customer Elizabeth Beeland in front of a store full of customers. A store clerk had called police thinking Beeland was using a stolen credit card, which turned out not to be the case. Beeland was backing away from Wright when she was tasered. Police Chief Mike Chitwood defended his officer's actions.[18] Wright was also investigated for interfering in a narcotics investigation in 2009. Wright was arrested in 2010 on three felony charges for fraud and forgery for allegedly defrauding her own grandmother.[19]

In 2012, patrol supervisor Jim Newcomb was promoted to the position of captain. This promotion was met objections from the police union over his controversial past, which includes the wrongful firing of a lesbian officer and year-long harassment of another female officer.[20]

After a heavily publicized incident on the campus of the historically black Bethune–Cookman University, in which DBPD chief Chitwood was alleged to have made racist comments, the NAACP asked US attorney general Eric Holder to probe Chitwood’s "racially tinged" comments about the disturbance. A recent spate of murders in the black community, including the death of a 13-year-old boy who was shot in the face, have led some to blame the DBPD's moving the police headquarters from Orange Avenue, in the black community, to Valor Boulevard, in a culturally-mixed suburban area of Daytona Beach. When asked about the possibility of placing a police substation in the area, Chitwood responded that substations were "a monument for cops to sit on their ass and don’t do anything".[5]

Sheriff of Volusia County

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In January 2016, incumbent Volusia County sheriff Ben Johnson announced his retirement at the end of his current term. Chitwood immediately announced that he would run for sheriff. Then he said he wouldn't, pledging to remain as police chief. Then, on March 14, he announced his candidacy, again. In August 2016, Chitwood narrowly defeated former Pasco County sheriff James E. Gillum and three others in the Republican primary for Volusia County sheriff. As there was no Democratic challenger, Chitwood became Sheriff-elect until assuming office on January 1, 2017.[21][22] He was re-elected unopposed to a second term in 2020.[23] During the COVID-19 pandemic, Chitwood strongly advocated vaccine mandates.[8] He also gave additional days off to deputies who were vaccinated.[24]

Chitwood was re-elected to a third term in 2024, defeating Republican opponent James Powers.[25] The Volusia County Republican Party refused to support Powers due to his criminal record.[26]

Controversies

[edit]

After the state-wide referendum, Amendment 10, the Volusia County Council voted 6-1 to stay the amendment temporarily. Chitwood, a leading proponent of Amendment 10, called the Councilmembers "scumbags" and accused them of corruption. He allegedly contacted the FBI about his concerns, however, Chitwood refused to provide any details and the FBI did not confirm the meeting occurred.[27]

In 2019, Chitwood was reprimanded by Seventh Judicial Circuit Court chief judge Raul Zambrano for interfering with the judiciary and baselessly smearing circuit court judge Michael Hutcheson.[7]

In 2021, Chitwood established his own training academy for recruits of the Volusia County Sheriff's Office, rather than sending them to the state training academy all other recruits in Florida attend.[28][29]

Chitwood endorsed auto salesman Randy Dye, father of stock car racing driver Daniel Dye, for Volusia County chair in 2024. In November 2024, incumbent Volusia County Council chairman Jeff Brower accused Chitwood of being a "bully" and called for "a new sheriff". In response Chitwood called Brower "feckless [and] ineffective".[30] Brower defeated Dye in the general election despite being significantly outspent in the campaign.[31]

Notable events

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In 2017, Chitwood began implementing reformist measures to reduce the size and scope of law enforcement in Volusia County. Since then, he implemented classes on gender and racial bias in policing. He also decreased weapon proficiency in the training of new recruits.[13][32]

In 2020, Chitwood implemented a crisis intervention training for new officers in Volusia County with the goal of decreasing use-of-force and eliminating the "warrior mentality" in police operations. The project was influenced by the Obama Foundation affiliated, Scottish police reform group; Police Executive Research Forum (PERF).[33][34][35] In the same period, he equipped detectives and the SWAT team of Volusia County with body cameras while drastically increasing the use of SWAT, leading to what many consider the militarization of police.[36]

Early in 2023, anti-Jewish banners were held by neo-Nazi group Goyim Defense League at the Daytona International Speedway. Chitwood responded to the group at press conferences and on social media.[37][38][4][39] Anonymous death threats were made against Chitwood on 4chan. Police agencies opened an investigation resulting in the arrests of three people outside the state of Florida, one of whom was in possession of firearms and ammunition.[37][4] In late 2023, an Alaskan double-murder suspect was indicted by a grand jury after allegedly threatening to "blind and kill" Chitwood.[40][41] In total, six men have been arrested in 2023 over alleged threats directed at the sheriff.[42]

Political views

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Chitwood is a registered Independent. He voted for Donald Trump in the 2016 and 2020 United States presidential elections.[4] Chitwood disavowed President Trump as a "con man" after the January 6 United States Capitol attack and condemned Republican voters still supportive of Trump.[4][43] He endorsed Governor Ron DeSantis in the 2024 Republican Party presidential primaries, despite not being a registered Republican.[44] After DeSantis withdrew from the race, Chitwood supported Democratic nominee and incumbent vice president Kamala Harris in the 2024 United States presidential election.[45]

Chitwood has made positive remarks about Black Lives Matter and has been supportive of the Blue Lives Matter movement.[4] He has been endorsed by the NRA Political Victory Fund and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, though he had a falling out with both organizations since the endorsements.[13] Chitwood has been described as "pro-immigrant" and "pro-gun" by PBS.[46] However, he has lawfully and unlawfully seized firearms from residents throughout his career.[47][48]

Personal life

[edit]

Chitwood was married to his then-wife Jane. They had three daughters before they divorced. She died in September 2016.[22] Chitwood lives in Port Orange, Florida and is a non-practicing Catholic.[4]

Firearm at airport

[edit]

In August 2014, Transportation Security Administration agents at the Orlando International Airport discovered a loaded .38 caliber revolver in Chitwood's carry-on bag. An Orlando Police officer escorted Chitwood and the firearm back to Chitwood's vehicle. Chitwood told The Daytona Beach News-Journal the incident was a mistake and that he was "embarrassed and stupid".[49]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Behind the badge: Daytona Beach Police Chief Mike Chitwood". News 13. 2014. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  2. ^ "Sheriff Michael J. Chitwood Bio | VSO". Volusia's Sheriff. 2022-06-20. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  3. ^ "How a pro-Trump county elected a pro-immigrant reformer as sheriff | PBS NewsHour". PBS. 23 January 2018.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Paquette, Danielle (April 20, 2023). "The Florida sheriff vs. the neo-Nazi 'scumbags'". The Washington Post.
  5. ^ a b Police chief defends record, reputation
  6. ^ Staff Writer (2019-09-25). "Chitwood's bullying rhetoric runs counter to justice system". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
  7. ^ a b Tristam, Pierre (2019-09-20). "Sheriff Mike Chitwood Smears Our Judges". flaglerlive.com. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
  8. ^ a b Gollon, Chris (2021-08-31). "Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood Incentivizes Vaccination For Deputies As More Officers Die Statewide". askflagler.com. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
  9. ^ Stantucci, Jeanine (2024-09-19). "Florida sheriff shames 2 more kids after school threats. Is it a good idea?". USA Today. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
  10. ^ Ruth, Chasidy (2024-09-13). "Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood has a message to Volusia County parents and students". Beacon Online News. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
  11. ^ McBride, kelly (2024-09-17). "Journalists are mostly resisting this sheriff's horrible precedent of naming a child". poynter.org. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
  12. ^ "Letters: Pointless 'perp walk'". Orlando Sentinel. 2024-09-29. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  13. ^ a b c d Weichselbaum, Simone (2018-01-23). "How a pro-Trump county elected a pro-immigrant reformer as sheriff". PBS NewsHour. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  14. ^ Saladna, Gene (2022-08-27). "Sheriff Mike Chitwood looks to get even more 'chatty' with new podcast". WFTV. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  15. ^ "Daytona's New Police Chief". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online. Retrieved 2016-08-30.
  16. ^ "Police Chief Calls Sheriff "Moron," Leaders Demand Apology". Archived from the original on 2010-09-20. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
  17. ^ Police chief under fire for calling sheriff a 'moron'
  18. ^ NBC News: Officer uses Taser to tame Best Buy customer
  19. ^ Daytona Beach police officer arrested
  20. ^ "Daytona police chief promotes patrol supervisor who taunted female cop for more than a year | Headline Surfer / Award-Winning 24/7 Internet News Site Serving Daytona Beach/Sanford/Orlando, FL".
  21. ^ Longa, Lyda (2016-12-19). "Chitwood ready to fight crime wearing Volusia sheriff's star". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
  22. ^ a b Longa, Lyda (2017-01-03). "'Straight-talking' Volusia Sheriff Chitwood sworn in". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
  23. ^ Harper, Mark (2020-06-12). "Sheriff Mike Chitwood reelected. Here are 5 top Volusia-Flagler races for the primary". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online. Retrieved 2016-08-30.
  24. ^ Balona, Patricio (2021-08-31). "Volusia County sheriff giving vaccinated deputies additional days off, COVID breakthrough pay". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
  25. ^ Gardner, Sheldon (2024-11-05). "Sheriff Mike Chitwood declares himself winner in race that was never close". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online.
  26. ^ Gardner, Sheldon (2024-10-23). "Candidate with arrest history, no experience runs for Volusia sheriff 'to make a change'". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online.
  27. ^ Wyatt, Dustin (2018-12-09). "Sheriff Mike Chitwood says he contacted FBI about county corruption concerns". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online.
  28. ^ Fernandez, Frank (2021-02-11). "Volusia Sheriff's Office gets OK to start its own training academy, breaking with DSC". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
  29. ^ Balona, Patricio (2021-06-17). "Volusia Sheriff's Office opens training academy with 21 recruits in first class". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
  30. ^ Gardner, Sheldon (2024-11-01). "Brower unscripted: County chair ignites feud with sheriff days before election in video". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
  31. ^ Gardner, Sheldon (2024-11-05). "Outspent and out-endorsed, Jeff Brower wins race for Volusia County Council chairman". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
  32. ^ Jackman, Tom (June 2021). "Amid rising police violence, New York City police to train entire force in de-escalation". The Washington Post.
  33. ^ Orecchio-Egresitz, Haven (June 2020). "A Florida sheriff credits Scottish police training techniques with a drop in use of force cases in his county". Business Insider. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  34. ^ Marx, Willem (2020-06-24). "A Florida sheriff adopted Scottish police training. Now his deputies use force less often". NBC News. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  35. ^ Baker, Al (2015-12-11). "U.S. Police Leaders, Visiting Scotland, Get Lessons on Avoiding Deadly Force". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-09-18.
  36. ^ Nickeas, Peter (2020-12-08). "Here's what police chiefs think Biden should do to help address issues with law enforcement". CNN. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  37. ^ a b Lynch, Jamiel (2023-04-22). "Arrests made in online threats against Florida sheriff who took a stand against antisemitism in his county". CNN. Archived from the original on 2023-04-23. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  38. ^ "Antisemites Gather in Florida for Weekend of Hate". Anti-Defamation League. February 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-02-20. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  39. ^ Lapin, Andrew. "A Florida sheriff is on the warpath against neo-Nazi 'scumbags' who want him dead". Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 2023-05-02. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  40. ^ "Alaska murder suspect accused of threatening to kill Central Florida sheriff". Yahoo News. 2023-09-27. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
  41. ^ "Double-murder suspect accused of targeting Volusia sheriff with 'lasers that could blind for life': indictment". FOX 35 Orlando. 2023-09-26. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
  42. ^ "Who are the men threatening Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood and where are they now?". Yahoo News. 2023-10-03. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  43. ^ Cutway, Adrienne (2021-01-06). "Volusia sheriff hopes riots at Capitol don't spread across country". clickorlando.com. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  44. ^ Nazaryan, Alexander (2020-07-09). "Florida sheriff wins battle with DeSantis administration over coronavirus data". Yahoo News. Archived from the original on 2020-07-09. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  45. ^ Harper, Mark (2020-10-05). "Sheriff Mike Chitwood criticizes Trump's answer to right-wing extremist question". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online.
  46. ^ Carlos Frey, John (2018-01-23). "Meet the pro-gun, pro-immigrant sheriff bringing police reform to Trump country". PBS NewsHour. Archived from the original on 2018-01-24.
  47. ^ Longa, Lyda (2013-05-26). "Second Amendment group sues Chief Chitwood, Daytona, over seized guns". clickorlando.com. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  48. ^ Balona, Patricio (2023-12-21). "Deltona man charged with attempted murder in deputy shooting, petition filed to seize his guns". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online.
  49. ^ "Daytona police chief caught with gun in luggage". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online. Associated Press. 2014-08-28. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
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