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As the November 2024 elections draw nearer, the race for the position of Miami-Dade County Sheriff has begun to take center stage in local politics. The transition from an appointed Director of Police to an Elected Sheriff is a significant step for the county, one that should be marked by transparency, fairness, and accountability. Unfortunately, the current scenario is casting a shadow over these ideals, with several candidates employed by state, county, or municipal law enforcement agencies running for office while collecting taxpayer-funded salaries. This situation represents an abuse of taxpayer dollars and undermines the integrity of the electoral process.
At the heart of the issue is the principle of maintaining a level playing field and preventing any undue influence or conflicts of interest in the race for Miami-Dade County Sheriff. It’s worth noting that as of today, the only candidate who has taken the ethical step of taking a leave of absence to run for office is me. In contrast, there are six candidates who are Miami-Dade Police Department officers and one who serves as a city of Miami police officer, all of whom remain on the county and municipal payroll while actively campaigning. This raises significant concerns about the fairness of the election process and the potential misuse of taxpayer dollars.
The ethical concern here is clear: it is inappropriate for candidates to remain on the payroll of law enforcement agencies funded by taxpayers while simultaneously seeking elected office. This situation creates a potential conflict of interest, as these candidates may be in positions to influence policy decisions, allocate resources, or make decisions that directly impact their employing agencies during the campaign. Such conflicts erode trust in the democratic process and can undermine the public’s faith in the impartiality and accountability of the Sheriff’s Office.
To restore public confidence and maintain the integrity of the upcoming election, it is imperative that all candidates currently employed by state, county, or municipal law enforcement agencies take immediate action to address this issue. This action should involve either resigning from their current positions or taking a leave of absence until the election is concluded. This approach not only adheres to ethical standards but also ensures that taxpayers’ hard-earned money is not misused for political campaigns.
Transparency and accountability should be cornerstones of any democratic election process, particularly when the role in question holds such significant authority and responsibility as that of the Miami-Dade County Sheriff. Voters deserve to know that their elected officials are free from undue influence, and candidates must demonstrate their commitment to the highest ethical standards.
That is why I am calling on all candidates for Sheriff to follow my lead and either resign or take a leave of absence from their current positions. I am also calling on our elected officials to take the necessary steps to correct the current situation, where we have multiple candidates holding law enforcement positions while actively campaigning for the office of Miami-Dade County Sheriff.
Only through such measures can we ensure that the transition to an Elected Sheriff is marked by the transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct that the residents of Miami-Dade County deserve and expect from this important office.
Joe Sanchez
