Calendar of Events
Professional Standards Division Chief
Captain Audie Rowell currently serves as the division chief over Professional Standards and SWAT.
Captain Rowell began his law enforcement career in 1986 and is a graduate of the 60th basic Law Enforcement Recruit Class from Lively Vo-tech School in Quincy. Fla. Captain Rowell was previously a Law Enforcement Officer with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office and Tallahassee Police Department. His experience includes patrol, vice and narcotics, internal affairs and SWAT. He has more than 2,500 hours of tactical and high risk training and is a certified law enforcement instructor, firearms instructor and rappel master. He is a decorated officer receiving a Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award, Tactical Officer of the Year Award and several meritorious service awards. Captain Rowell currently serves as an executive board member for the Region One Domestic Security Task Force Fusion Center.
He earned a B.S. degree in criminology from Florida State University and is also a graduate of the Southern Police Institute Command Officers Development Course.
Captain Rowell is married to his wife, Cheri. and has four children. He currently lives in Santa Rosa Beach, Fla.
Professional Standards Division
The Professional Standards Division includes the internal affairs, training, information technology, public information office, homeland security, polygraph/background, auxillary, citizen services, SWAT, crime stoppers, and citizen volunteer sections. The units within the division provide a variety of services to other divisions and to the citizens of Walton County. The division is responsible for the investigation of internal and citizen-generated complaints of alleged misconduct against employees, providing in-service training to deputies, conducting firearms safety training for the general public, performing staff inspections on other units, developing and reviewing agency policies,informing the public regarding public safety and outreach events, and ensuring the agency is meeting the accreditation standards set forth by the Commission on Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA).
SWAT
The Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team is a multi-disciplined volunteer organization comprised of members from all agency divisions. The team is comprised of 15 or more members and includes entry, sniper and crisis negotiation teams. The SWAT team is responsible for handling various incidents, such as barricaded subjects and hostage situations, high-risk search/arrest warrant operations, dignitary protection missions and other tactical operations.
Members are required to attend 16 hours of monthly, specialized training that includes firearm proficiency and tactical operations. The SWAT team is equipped with fully automatic rifles, chemical munitions, sniper rifles and less-lethal weapons. SWAT team members are available 24 hours per day to respond to potentially dangerous incidents.
Homeland Security
Since the tragic events on Sept. 11, 2001, Americans have been forced to change the way we live and think about the security of our nation. Because of this reality, the agency's Homeland Security Unit provides a coordination point for all domestic security matters. Members serve on various local, state, and national homeland security committees, working groups, and task forces, including the Florida Regional Security Task Force. Concentration is placed on collecting intelligence on possible violations involving terrorism, use of weapons of mass destruction, illegal aliens and immigration issues, and conducting continual assessments on the safety and security of critical infrastructure and coastal access areas.
Training
The mission of the Training Section is to provide all employees with training opportunities that will develop and enhance their individual skills while respecting the diversity of the individual and their unique talents. This section provides cutting-edge training that reflects current and future trends in law enforcement and prepares the individual with the skills necessary for today's law enforcement professional.
Training is the cornerstone of the WCSO. To maintain a professional and progressive law enforcement agency, all employees must be trained and become proficient in all aspects of this profession. The training section strives to provide the highest quality training that reflects national trends in law enforcement.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) requires all state certified law enforcement officers receive 40 hours of mandatory re-training every four years. The WCSO believes in the benefits of training and requires all deputies to attend the mandatory training yearly. This training covers a broad spectrum ranging from: ethics, customer service, communications, leadership, current trends and changes in the law enforcement environment, case preparation, and officer safety (including firearms and defensive tactics).
Our training department serves as a clearing house for many types of training. Examples include: roll-call training, in-service training, mandatory training, continuing adult education, specialized training, and outside seminars and classes. In addition to the opportunities provided for our members, both sworn and non-sworn, we also provide training to the community in the form of firearms safety classes.
Internal Affairs
The Internal Affairs Section's (IA) primary function is the receipt, processing and investigation of complaints made against employees of the Walton County Sheriff's Office. When a complaint is received, every effort is made to ensure a thorough, timely and fair investigation of the allegation(s) contained in the complaint. The openness of the agency in the acceptance of a complaint is a principle element of professionalism and community responsiveness. All complaints are processed and reviewed by the IA division and submitted to a Major of the WCSO for review and final disposition.
The IA Section's duties include: investigating alleged misconduct by agency employees, providing staff assistance to line supervisors in investigations of alleged misconduct by agency employees, investigating critical incidents (i.e. employee-involved shootings, record, register, and control the investigation of complaints against employees, maintain the confidentiality of the internal affairs section, prepare annual reports concerning complaints made to the agency.
Investigations Can Have the Following Outcomes:
- Sustained - The allegation was supported by sufficient evidence.
- Not Sustained - The investigation failed to disclose sufficient evidence to prove or disprove the allegation.
- Unfounded - The allegation was demonstrably false or there was no credible evidence to support the complaint.
- Exonerated - An incident occurred but the employee's actions were lawful and proper.
- Policy Failure - Alleged action occurred and caused detriment; however, the actions taken were consistent with agency policy.
- Administrative Closure - A memorandum completed under circumstances when the completion of a formal investigation or supervisory inquiry is not appropriate. This may be used if the complainant withdraws the complaint or there is insufficient information to objectively investigate the allegation(s) at the time.
How to File a Complaint
To initiate a complaint against an employee of the Walton County Sheriff's Office, you may contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it in the the Internal Affairs Section, or any supervisor of the agency. You may also obtain a citizen complaint form from WCSO's main lobby during normal business hours. The WCSO's office is located at 752 Triple G Road in DeFuniak Springs, FL. The main number is (850) 892-8186. The Internal Affairs Section is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Be sure to include all information relevant to the complaint in full detail. Include your full name, address, all of your contact numbers, names and contact information for witnesses, the names of the employee(s) involved (if known), and any information that would assist us in conducting a timely investigation.
PLEASE READ: It is against the law, and a third-degree felony, to make a complaint against a deputy sheriff that you know to be false. If you make a complaint against a deputy knowing that it is false, you can be prosecuted.
In order to accomplish this function, the unit is accountable for the following basic responsibilities:
- Internal Investigations
- Citizen Inquiries
- Special Investigations/Firearms Discharges
- Tactical Apprehension and Control (SWAT) Compliance Reviews
- Use of Force Report Compliance Reviews
- Early Warning Program
What is expected of me when my formal complaint is being investigated?
Your cooperation will be needed throughout the investigative process. You will be required to meet an investigator and provide a sworn and recorded statement under oath. In addition, your cooperation may be required in signing a medical release (if your case involves an alleged injury), providing witness information, or otherwise cooperating with the investigator.
What should I expect once my complaint is filed with Internal Affairs?
Internal Affairs will use the information you provide to conduct an initial inquiry into your complaint. This can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks depending on the allegation. You will then be notified by mail of the results of the inquiry. You will be informed in writing if the complaint will be investigated formally if there will be no further action taken, or if your complaint has been forwarded to a supervisor.
What should I expect from the Walton County Sheriffs Office if my complaint is formally investigated?
You can expect a fair, thorough, and impartial investigation if your complaint involves misconduct that is deemed by Internal Affairs to warrant a formal investigation. Finding the unbiased truth will be the goal of any internal investigation that is completed by this agency. You will be notified of the results in writing once the investigation is concluded. Most investigations are concluded within 45 days, but timeline extensions are sometimes necessary during the investigative process.
Polygraph\Background Unit
Forensic polygraph examinations are used daily to affirm or dispel individuals suspected in criminal cases for law enforcement agencies. Utilizing this tool assists in narrowing investigative issues and lowers investigative expenses. The Polygraph Unit is often requested to administer examinations for the purposes of law enforcement employment. Every sworn applicant is required to submit and pass this examination prior to employment with the Walton County Sheriff's Office.
The Polygraph Unit’s polygraphist is also a certified Police Applicant Background Investigator. Before an applicant is hired, a background investigation is conducted on each applicant that applies with the Walton County Sheriff's Office.
The Polygraph Unit continues to perform at the highest level of professionalism within the Professional Standards Division. The commitment and dedication of the forensic polygraphist remains the model for the Polygraph Unit within the Walton County Sheriff's Office.
Employment applications can be accessed by clicking on one of the following links:
Posse Application Support
Staff Application
Volunteer Application
Crime Prevention Program
The agency's crime prevention specialists administer many traditional prevention programs including "Neighborhood Crime Watch" and "McGruff." In order to provide a convenient manner in which to obtain services at the WCSO in DeFuniak Springs and the South Highway 331 Substation. Deputies assigned to the front desk assist walk-in customers with obtaining finger prints for applications and permits, criminal registrations, warrant services, and general information. Members coordinate extra-duty assignments for law enforcement members hired by the public for security-related jobs where a deputy's presence serves a vital interest. The agency's civilian volunteer services and reserve/auxiliary deputy programs are also coordinated by this unit.
Citizens Services
The Citizen's Services Unit performs a wide array of tasks designed to make the sheriff's office experience a positive one for the citizens and visitors of Walton County. Members assigned to this unit are the primary "outreach" arm in the community. Working every day to educate the public about the WCSO and its services, the men and women of this unit spend countless hours attending meetings, providing training programs, and serving as liaisons to various governmental entities and community groups. Serving as a bridge for the passing of communications from division to division, the unit collects concerns and complaints from the public and ensures the proper agency authority is contacted so needs can be addressed.
Sheriff's Volunteer Program
Citizen Volunteer Program
The Citizen Volunteer Program consists of two branches: the Citizen Posse and the Citizen Volunteer. Both are non-sworn positions and volunteers are not armed.
Citizen Volunteer Unit
The Citizen Volunteer Unit focuses on individuals who wish to bring their talents and expertise wherever the WCSO finds a need. Some of the positions include administrative tasks, Neightborhood Watch and other duties.
Citizen Posse Unit
The Citizen Posse Unit provides assistance with patrol, emergency services, events, public relations, K-9, special tasks and the mounted unit.
The Citizen Posse Unit is a volunteer service consisting of individuals who provide non-emergency assistance to citizens and law enforcement officers. Its purpose is to save taxpayer money while providing sworn law enforcement officers with more time to respond and focus on violent criminals and complex criminal investigations.
Citizen Posse volunteers patrol the entire Walton County area and are equipped with retired patrol vehicles. The volunteers assist in funeral processions, festivals, fairs, neighborhood patrols and other events that typically require a deputy’s presence. The Citizen Posse Unit’s greatest contribution is assisting disabled motorists. This can be as simple as parking their cars with their flashing yellow lights behind the motorist to keep them safe until assistance arrives, or changing a tire or taking them to get gasoline. Volunteers can are able to provide someone who was involved in an accident with a ride home. Citizen Posse members can also transport individuals away from locations where a domestic violence situation occurred. Citizen Posse are not sworn law enforcement officers and do not possess arrest powers.
How much does this cost the taxpayer?
The Citizens Posse program saves taxpayer dollars while increasing the safety of citizens and visitors of Walton County.
Who can participate in the program?
The Citizens Posse Program is open to anyone from the ages of 19 to retired. Individuals must submit to a criminal history check prior to participating in the program.
Auxiliary Program
To be certified for the Auxiliary Program, the member must complete 327 hours of law enforcement education and training. Upon completion, the member is a sworn law enforcement officer who is able to ride along with a sworn deputy and perform many law enforcement functions. For more information you can contact the Walton County Sheriff’s Office main number at (850) 892-8186.
Information Technology
The Information Technology (IT) Department of the Walton County Sheriff's Office is the technological hub of all WCSO operations. The IT Department is tasked with maintaining all department computers as well as for the security of the data that flows across the computer network. This department is tasked with ensuring that the department maintains strict compliance with security protocols established by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). Members of the IT Department regularly communicate with various software vendors, coordinate network operations with the Walton County MIS department, troubleshoot issues with department computers and servers, and assist the various departments within the WCSO by providing support with technology that brings criminals to justice.
Public Information Office
The Office of Public Information is staffed by one public information officer (PIO) who is responsible for developing and delivering crisis communications, public awareness campaigns, media interviews, desktop publishing services and communicating WCSO initiatives to the public.