Santa Rosa Chief Deputy Randy Tifft discusses suicide prevention, emerging opioid, Flock cameras and jail operations
Santa Rosa County, FL (NewsRadio 92.3) -- Santa Rosa County Chief Deputy Randy Tifft joined Pensacola’s Morning News Monday, discussing issues ranging from mental health and drug overdoses to the removal of Flock license-plate cameras and a recent murder-for-hire case.
Suicide prevention and first responders
With September recognized as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Tifft said Santa Rosa deputies encounter suicide and attempted-suicide calls frequently, sometimes on a daily basis.
He said those incidents also take a toll on deputies, detectives and crime-scene personnel who repeatedly respond to traumatic scenes.
The Sheriff’s Office uses grant funding for a mental health counselor, and Tifft said every employee meets with the counselor once a year, with additional sessions available at no cost.
Emerging opioid appearing locally
Tifft said the Sheriff's Office has encountered cychlorphine, an emerging synthetic opioid, in Santa Rosa County.
“We have seen some of it in our area, not as much as it has across the country in certain places,” Tifft said.
He described the drug as “very dangerous and very deadly” and expressed concern about substances being mixed with other drugs.
Flock cameras being removed
Santa Rosa deputies no longer have access to the Flock automated license-plate reader system, according to Tifft.
He said Sheriff Bob Johnson ordered the system shut off following direction from Gov. Ron DeSantis. Flock contractors are now removing the physical cameras, although Tifft said some may remain standing while that statewide process continues.
“Ours are not in use,” Tifft said. “None of our deputies can access Flock.”
Corrections officers and jail staffing
Tifft also discussed the often-overlooked role of corrections officers, calling them the “unsung heroes” of law enforcement.
He said Santa Rosa County pays corrections officers at the jail the same as patrol deputies, a policy intended to help the agency recruit and retain qualified officers.
Perdue murder-for-hire case
The interview also touched on the Stephanie Perdue case. Tifft said investigators gathered additional evidence after Perdue was jailed, when she continued efforts to have her husband killed.
He credited investigators and the State Attorney’s Office for developing the case and securing a conviction.
Tifft closed by noting Santa Rosa deputies will join State Rep. Michelle Salzman for a food distribution Wednesday at Welcome Church in Pace. Pasted text
