Charlotte County sheriff focused on transparency, harmony with community

Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office is taking a closer look at its policies amid nationwide calls for reform in law enforcement.

We sat down with Sheriff Bill Prummell recently to speak about the way CCSO conducts itself in the communities it serves.

“My number one priority of course is for the safety and security of the county,” Prummell told WINK News.

Prummell’s eighth year as Charlotte County sheriff is unlike any other, with the nation keeping an especially watchful eye on law enforcement.

“For many years, a lot of our policies have been in place that are in question right now throughout our nation,” Prummell said.

We discussed the importance of transparency with Prummell and the future of the agency. We asked the sheriff about areas of improvement he sees possible within the agency.

“There seems to be a misperception or lack of trust with some demographic within our community, so that is something I strongly want to work on,” Prummell said.

Prummell says that starts with improving communication and accountability. The sheriff’s office policies now include something he calls “common sense,” giving all members the responsibility to intervene and prevent excessive force.

“We want to make sure that all of our young, rookie officers know that they have a duty, no matter who it is, even if they see me doing something that I shouldn’t be doing,” Prummell said.

Prummell is focused on having and keeping harmony among Charlotte County law enforcement and the community.

“We want to make it one of the most enjoyable places to live, work and play,” Prummell said.