DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Chief Mike Chitwood has been with the Daytona Beach Police Department for the last 10 years and said it was time to shake things up in Volusia County and believes he's the man to do it.
Cheers from supporters and city leaders on Monday morning as Chitwood announced that he's running for Volusia County sheriff."
"I recognize that what he has done here is necessary to be replicated throughout the county," said Derrick Henry, mayor of Daytona Beach.
"The chief would be great for sheriff because he can bring the people together," said Patricia Hamilton Heard.
"You're going to get a sheriff who works 24 hours a day, who's accessible, who's transparent, passionate and hardworking," said Chitwood.
Chitwood said he initially turned down the idea to run but after much consideration and support from the community, he said it would be a great thing to do.
Chitwood outlined his vision if elected, which included more technology and community interaction.
"The Real Time Crime Center, facial recognition, tag readers. All of these things to help the deputies do their job, keep them safe and apprehend the bad guy," he said.
He also wants to provide more opportunities and a free education for the staff at the Sheriff's Office through a program he called VCSO Foundation.
The chief is the latest to add his name to the list. A total of seven candidates are fighting for the job.
"Eric never thought for a second that this would be an easy win," said Mike Scudiero, campaign manager for Chief Deputy Eric Dietrich.
Sheriff Ben Johnson endorsed Dietrich shortly after he announced his retirement.
"Eric has worked on several things that are evolving as we speak. From body cameras, to how they count crime statistics county wide and what sort of interaction occurs between cities and the county," said Scudiero.
It'll be a race that many said has now picked up even more steam.
The other candidates running for sheriff include:
Dave Brannon, Volusia County sheriff's captain
Wendell Bradford, retired Seminole County sheriff's deputy
Jim Gillum, former Pasco County Sheriff
Andrew Millwater, Volusia County fire lieutenant
Steven Smith, Volusia County corrections lieutenant
Jake Mays, Daytona Beach police lieutenant
The campaign manager Brannon also released a statement today about his run for sheriff and thoughts on Chitwood throwing his hat into the ring:
"Yes, I am aware Mike Chitwood is contemplating an entrance into this race.
I am running for the Office of Sheriff because I am passionate about serving the citizens of Volusia County and putting bad guys in jail. When I entered the race, I did not know who else may run. It did not matter then and it does not matter now. From the beginning, my goal has always been and continues to be meeting citizens and demonstrating my capabilities to them.
As demonstrated by the endorsement of the deputies' Association, I possess the skills and experience to lead our deputies and staff, and I am the only candidate with a proven record of reducing crime in Volusia County's largest city.
Certainly strategies are always evolving in a political campaign, but I am in it to win it; to serve our citizens with honor.
I welcome him into the race and look forward to debating him on the issues important to voters."