SHERIFF KEN J. MASCARA SWORN-IN TO SIXTH TERM OF OFFICE

SHERIFF KEN J. MASCARA SWORN-IN TO SIXTH TERM OF OFFICE

SHERIFF MASCARA BEGINS SIXTH TERM IN OFFICE

Sheriff Ken J. Mascara was sworn-in to his sixth term of office on Tuesday by Nineteen Judicial Circuit Judge Elizabeth Metzger.

“Today, is a very memorable day for me as well as for our agency,” said Sheriff Ken J. Mascara. “Today is only the second time in the 116-year history of our agency that a sheriff has been sworn-in to a sixth consecutive term. Sheriff BA Brown was the first sheriff to do so, serving from 1939-1953.”

Sheriff Mascara selected Judge Metzger to preside over the ceremonial oath of office based on their shared passion for children and collaborative work on child advocacy issues.

“I am humbled and honored to be sworn-in to office by Judge Metzger,” Mascara said. “As a champion for children myself, I’ve been moved by her initiatives, inspiration, and leadership which have profoundly benefited the children we are sworn to protect.

In his speech following the oath of office, Sheriff Mascara thanked the residents of St. Lucie County.

“I want to thank the residents of St. Lucie County for the profound honor of allowing me to serve six consecutive terms as your sheriff,” Mascara said. “You have clearly shown your faith and trust in me and that you approve of the direction of the Sheriff’s Office and the great work my deputies are doing each and every day.”

He also highlighted key leadership changes to begin implementation of a succession plan for the agency’s future.

“Succession planning helps build the bench of an organization to ensure long-term health, growth and stability,” Mascara said. “Two key points in this succession plan include promoting Garry Wilson, to the position of Chief of Staff and Brian Hester to the role of Chief Deputy.”

According to the Sheriff, Chief of Staff Wilson will work daily to ensure the history of our time in office is documented, shared and instilled in the Command Staff, guide and mentor agency leaders and continue to advise and guide the Sheriff.

“Chief Hester will assume the daily operation of the agency, with the guidance and mentoring of myself and Chief Wilson, preparing him to lead our agency in 2024 and beyond,” Mascara said

The full swearing-in ceremony can be viewed on YouTube athttps://youtu.be/uccBKuUG6M8.

The Florida Constitution establishes the Office of the elected County Sheriff who is responsible for preserving the peace, carrying out the orders of Florida courts and the Board of County Commissioners, and providing deputies at court sessions and meetings of the Board of County Commissioners. The Sheriff is the chief correctional officer of the county. Sheriff Ken J. Mascara is elected by the people of St. Lucie County and is accountable to them.