law enforcement officer

crew leader

clerk

specialist

records clerk

Manatee County Sheriffs Office

I was working as a Kitchen Supervisor with kitchen trusties in a large jail, with over 1100 inmates, making sure meals are prepared properly and on time 3 times a day. That's 3300 meals every day. Some days are stressful, other times it's interesting and exciting, but you always feel drained at the end of your shift, due to shifts being 12 hr. long. Your schedule is 2 days on, 2 days off, then 3 days on, 3 days off, making 80 hr. per 2 weeks, while actually working 7 days out of 14. I loved that schedule, gets you plenty off-duty time to take care your appointments. Sometimes, being surrounded by 20, or more, inmates, many of them holding utensils and kitchen knifes, can lead to a dangerous situation. You are provided with paper spray and handcuffs, and training in how to use them, but your real self-defense is understanding of inmate mentality and knowledge of how to deal with them. This usually comes with experience. Basically, if you treat them fair and with respect, they will treat you the same. When things get out of hand, you radio-call Correctional Deputies for help. They come running in large numbers. Finally, if you had a criminal record, MCSO will NOT hire you!  If you break the law, while employed there, you get fired, immediately. They are very strict, but if you follow the rules, the job is very secured and guaranteed. It's a government job. The pay and benefits are very good.

Overseeing The Crossing, shared by 3 other supervisors, including their payroll, council if needed, if not following General Orders, that applies to all Crossing Guards.
Trained new Crossing Guards as hired, and a once of year trading for all Guards.
If a Guard calls in sick, or unable to work that day, it was my job to either find a substitute or do the Crossing myself.
I learned the geographical area of Manatee Country, as I have supervised every Crossing in the county.
Most of the time spent was out of the office.  I did have a desk where I did the Crossing Guards time and compared their work time sheet  bi-weekly as to what I had posted daily  in the computer; memos, etc.
Reported to my Sergeant usually daily, either in person or on the telephone.
Early hours getting up and taking any telephone calls that need to be addressed, and decide what procedure to take.

The most enjoyable part of the job was conversations with children (usually  students), parents and motorists.

Enjoyed every day while employed by MCSO, would have continued if I had not become so tired from early hours.

Retired with a pension.

I really struggled working here, but wanted to love it and grow within the agency. I didn’t necessarily pick the best position to begin with. The workload can be heavy some days, but light others. It varies. You are NOT given enough training to learn all the material needed for this job. Out of training you will 100% still need help and have questions. I had only one co-worker that would still help if I needed assistance, but everyone else treated me as “well you’ve finished training, you’re on your own!” It was toxic. The worst part of all was having solo shifts, which was absolutely absurd for this job. I couldn’t even get up to use the bathroom on those shifts. You were also pretty much made to take overtime and if you didn’t, well that wasn’t a good look for you. The environment was really really bad and I was uncomfortable every shift. It was also off-putting having a co-worker who had worked there a little longer than you always try and play supervisor towards you. The list goes on. I eventually came back to the agency in a new position, which ended up being just as bad as Teletype. I didn’t even give that one a try. Sheriff offices can be tricky.

I loved my job as a deputy with the Manatee County Sheriff's Office. I enjoyed working for such a professional department, with so many wonderful and caring people. It was a honor to be a deputy for one of the greatest departments in the state of Florida. I took pride in providing a safe enviroment and serving the citizens of Manatee County. Working in the community in which I grew up was an incredible experience that brought me much pride as a Deputy and as a individual citizen.The opportunities, education and experiences I was afforded while employed at MCSO gave me the foundation for my future in law enforcement. The aspect I loved most about my job while employed there was being able to help people in need. I enjoyed teaching the school children and public on how to be safe. The aspect of my job that I liked the least was working accidents where someone had died. I had to inform the family about their love one dying in the accident and that was very difficult at times. 

When I say I multi tasked, I really multi tasked.  I enjoyed it though.  Working twelve hour days, and while staying busy with many tasks, it helped time go by and always kept me on my toes.

I learned a lot about the law, Florida State Statues, I learned how to work a brand new computer system that I never worked before.  I learned how to read and run criminal histories.  I learned how to confirm warrants, whether they be out of state, another county or the county I worked in.

Management could have been better.  However, I did my duties and made sure all my work was done professionally and proficient.  

There was always a lot of pressure and for the most part my co-workers and myself always helped one another.

Hardest part about my job was the crimes being committed, especially when a child was involved.

What I learned and the challenges were the most enjoyable.

A typical day at work: Investigating crimes and arresting offenders.  

I have learned that not every case is the same and there is more than one way to investigate a crime and prosecute offenders.  

Management was very Black & White.  If they were managers in private industry the company would go out of business.  

The culture was Paramilitary. 

The hardest part of this job was the fact management had a, "If its not broken don't fix it."  But, if there are faster and more accurate ways of getting things done, do it.  
Everyone was afraid of their own shadow, it was stressful and frustrating being a Law Enforcement Officer.  

I enjoyed arresting and convicting guilty criminals.  I also enjoyed the art of investigations and solving cases as a Detective.

I only worked there for a little over 4 months, but coming from another large law enforcement agency, I will say that Manatee Co. Sheriff's office has a long way to go in many areas of their operations. The majority of the staff are nice and friendly, but the overall culture of the agency isn't good. Professionalism is lacking, especially in the Corrections Bureau. I've never seen so many negative news reports and publications regarding a law enforcement agency in my entire career. I understand why turnover is so high at this agency. There is no desire for growth or progression. Everyone there is content in doing things the way it has always been done.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Being able to help people when they needed it most 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Working with certain supervisors who had zero communication skills. Most of the supervisors are under 30, and it certainly showed 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Cliques on cliques..  groups of exclusionary friends that became annoyed if you asked questions about your job 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
3 or 4 people in the same area, and some days nobody said anything to me,  again, cliques

I was a Patrol Deputy and was recognized by several agencies etc for my work. I had a person make one false allegation against me, and this Sheriff's Office threw me under the bus. I lost everything, was found not guilty, but the Sheriff would not reenstate me. This Sheriff's office is the bottom feeders....the entire Delta team was either arrested or fired due to planting evidence, using drugs, and stealing......just a word to the wise

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office has been like a second family to me since I began working there. My coworkers and managers have been supportive of my professional life and personal life for years. The culture is overall good. Some morale issues come up due to short staff and low pay but nothing too bad. The hardest part of the job is handling upset citizens but that is part of the job so it is not a surprise. The most enjoyable part of the job is helping a citizen that appreciates what you do. 

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Law enforcement officer 7 salaries reported	$39.60 per hour
Crew leader 5 salaries reported	$23.67 per hour
Clerk 4 salaries reported	$23.96 per hour
Specialist 2 salaries reported	$24.14 per hour
Records clerk 1 salary reported	$24.14 per hour

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