Sheriff Clovis Watson resigns, effective October 1
BY JENNIFER CABRERA
ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – Alachua County Sheriff Clovis Watson, Jr., has announced his resignation. In a letter to Governor DeSantis dated July 31, Watson announced his “retirement” effective October 1, “due to my personal health.” The letter said that he had intended to serve out his term, which would run through 2024, “but I have accepted that my health is such that I fear that I may not be able to meet my own expectations for performing my sworn duties.”
Watson announced on June 20 that he would not be running for re-election and that he was making the “tough decision to step aside and prepare the organization for new leadership that will continue to advance our agency toward the future.”
Watson recently reversed disciplinary actions against three deputies after Judge Donna Keim found that his office had violated their rights under Florida law. A large number of subpoenas were also issued to agency members in April, and State Attorney Brian Kramer’s office told Alachua Chronicle they could not comment on an active investigation.
This is the best news possible for Alachua County residents now maybe the office can get turned back in the right direction
This guy has single handedly ruined the Sheriff’s Office. Staffing is at an all time low. The Sheriff’s Office is unable to fulfill its constitutionally required obligations without paying overtime.
Good 😊
Watson has been very elusive to explain his multiple conflicts with his deputies. No surprise he’s bailing after treating his staff with racial preference.
Well that escalated quickly
Sheriff Watson cited his health. I am very sorry to hear this and wish him all the best.
About damn time. DeSantis needs to get someone in here who will crack down on all the hoodlums this guy has let run amuck in Gainesville. One look at Watson, and you can tell this guy doesn’t know his head from his ass.
I believe Clovis Watson is a good man. I think he is stepping aside for good reasons. I believe he realizes he cannot fix what is happening in Gainesville. We need someone tough to be in his position. A big reason he was out there is because he is a very nice man and he is Black and somehow the higher ups in this city though this would curb the Black crime. Well it hasn’t, and the double murder that just took place is yet another example. I don’t care what race of person they put in there next, it needs to be someone who lets this city know that the gangs and the drugs and the shootings are totally unacceptable, and there will be severe consequences to pay for those who don’t align. If Clovis Watson was the fatherly figure, the next Sheriff needs to be a Drill Sergeant. I wish him well in retirement and pray his health continues to improve.
If by father figure, you mean an incompetent racist, you are correct.
Facts. Clovis is a major racist. He hates white people.
Don’t act so surprised about his leaving. You haven’t heard the last from ole Clovis. Between his state retirement, elected representative retirement, and Sheriff pension, he will be set for life.
He will get bored and either run for another office or fill the GPD chief job when ole Lonnie gets canned.
As a county resident, who depends on ASO I’m glad Watson is leaving.
I have always and will continue to be a staunch supporter of law enforcement agencies. They are needed. Their courage in today’s world is valued in my eyes. Trickle down effect is how I would describe the state of affairs for ASO: specifically, effects of poor quality leadership has trickled down into the ranks. While I am sure many detectives and officers and other personnel work hard and are dedicated, there is no denying the trickle-down effect. I have written numerous times of an innocent person being arrested for fabricated allegations. The detective was offered at the time of detainment the opportunity to speak to witnesses and to review rock solid evidence that would discredit the allegations, the timeline, the entire situation. Unbelievably, the detective did not investigate anything. This resulted in a lengthy case that never progressed to charges. It was expunged for no factual evidence of a crime. No evidence because the entire thing was fabricated and was never investigated in advance of the arrest. A leader ensures personnel are trained well and often, that personnel use well considered judgment before acting, and a leader oversees for quality assurance. Perhaps this was an overzealous detective looking to make a name, or perhaps this detective was not well prepared for the position. Whatever the case, goodbye Clovis Watson. Never ever should an innocent person be arrested for a falsely alleged crime especially when the evidence was offered at the time of detainment to disprove the entire allegation. My goal has been to ensure something like this never happens again in our community by trying to enlighten our community of this situation. The majority of the time it appears based on my readings in the Alachua Chronicle that the allegations against individuals who have been arrested are true, that truly based. But I want to open everyone’s eyes to the fact that I know personally of a time when a horrible Injustice was committed by our sheriff’s department. Without quality leadership in the high sheriff position, don’t kid yourself that it might not happen again and it might be someone in your circle. Vote well in 2024, and let’s all pray the interim by sheriff will set standard
s and lead by example to prevent this from ever happening again.