Leon County Sheriff's Office Podcast

The Path of a Leader With Major Norman Mack

In this deep-dive interview, Major Norman Mack shares the evolution of detention operations from the 1990s to the post-pandemic era. He discusses the "Swiss Army knife" beginnings of his career in Jefferson County, where he learned the art of communication by managing everything from booking to medical care. The conversation explores the heavy transition to Leon County, the intricacies of gang investigation, and the unique challenges of civil judicial services. Major Mack’s story is a class in leading by example and maintaining personal integrity in high-pressure environments. -- Major Mack's early influences, including the pivotal role his mother played in shaping his character and his decision to confess Christ in 1995. -- The transition from a small "linear" jail to the "direct supervision" model used at the Leon County Detention Facility. -- The importance of unwavering principles and why treating every individual with the same level of respect is vital for safety and order. -- His tenure in classification and booking, and how specialized gang training led to award-winning investigative results. -- The operational challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and how leading from the front kept staff motivated during a global crisis. -- The jump to Judicial Services, highlighting the complex work of the civil unit and the management of warrants and bailiffs. +++++++ This is episode 012. Find more information here: https://www.leoncountyso.com/

From Leon County Childhood to Leon County Detective: Davis Clarke

In this episode, Javonni Hampton sits down with Detective Davis Clarke of the Leon County Sheriff's Office to discuss his eight-year journey from Leon High to a dedicated investigator in the Property Crimes Unit. Clarke shares candid insights into the evolution of law enforcement technology, the deep rewards of serving as a School Resource Deputy, and why he believes physical wellness is a non-negotiable requirement for modern policing. -- Detective Clarke discusses growing up in Tallahassee and how his father, a local attorney and Army veteran, influenced his path toward public service. -- A look at the "trial by fire" moments in law enforcement, including the transition from using SD cards and CoolPix cameras to modern iPhones and body cams. -- Why the School Resource Unit remains Clarke’s favorite assignment, highlighting the power of steering "troubled" youth toward the graduation stage. -- The vital importance of the "wellness hour" and how Clarke established the LCSO Run Club to help deputies combat chronic stress and find mental clarity. -- A rapid-fire round reveals the most underrated tool on the job and the one piece of advice every aspiring officer needs to hear. +++++++ This is episode 011. Find more information here: https://www.leoncountyso.com/

From a Near-Fatal Crash to a Career in Law Enforcement: Inspector General Greg Gibson

In this episode, Javonni Hampton interviews Inspector General Greg Gibson about his expansive career and his current mission to bake transparency into the DNA of the Leon County Sheriff's Office. Gibson shares personal stories of resilience, beginning with a 1985 crash that hospitalized him for weeks and cemented his desire to protect others. Throughout the discussion, he outlines how leadership is not about title or rank, but about service, trust, and the "bloom where you're planted" mentality. -- The 1985 Turning Point: How a DUI-related crash in Tallahassee became the catalyst for a three-decade career in law enforcement. -- The School Resource Officer Impact: Why humanizing the role of law enforcement to children is the foundation of community trust. -- From Local to State: Navigating the differences between being a "generalist" in local patrol and a "specialist" in state agencies like DEP and FWC. -- Crisis Management at Scale: Lessons learned while overseeing intelligence and emergency response during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. -- The New Office of Inspector General: A deep dive into how LCSO is leading the way in Florida with an IG office focused on integrity, audits, and professional standards. -- Career Advice for the Next Generation: The importance of writing skills, staying humble, and giving 10% more than the competition. +++++++ This is episode 010. Find more information here: https://www.leoncountyso.com/

From Godby DB to LCSO Chief: The Journey of Bobby Green

Leading with Heart and Hustle In this episode of the LCSO Podcast, host Javonni Hampton sits down with Chief Bobby Green of the Leon County Sheriff's Office. Chief Green reflects on his three-decade journey through the agency, offering a rare look at the challenges and triumphs of a native Tallahasseean who rose through the ranks by refusing to be limited by others' expectations. -- The Power of Roots: Chief Green discusses growing up in Tallahassee, the discipline of high school football, and how the "structure" of his upbringing—including church and respect for authority—laid the foundation for his career. -- Breaking Barriers in Corrections: Starting his career in the detention center in 1994, Green explains why he refused to let his race or his starting position define his ceiling, eventually pushing for a transfer to patrol despite being told it was impossible. -- The "Sweatsuit" Interview: Hear the hilarious and inspiring true story of how Green showed up to a high-stakes narcotics interview in a fleece sweatsuit and a clip-on tie, proving that preparation and character matter more than a polished exterior. -- Humanizing the Badge: A deep dive into the dual identity of being a Black man and a law enforcement officer, especially during times of national tension, and why empathy is a deputy's greatest tool. -- A Legacy of Mentorship: Chief Green outlines his current role overseeing the Criminal Investigations Bureau (CIB) and his passion for ensuring the next generation of deputies is better prepared for retirement and leadership than he was. +++++++ This is episode 009. Find more information here: https://www.leoncountyso.com/

The Call to Serve With Sergeant Shade McMillian

20 Years of Service: A Conversation with Sergeant Shade McMillian In this episode, Javonni Hampton interviews Sergeant Shade McMillian of the Leon County Sheriff's Office (LCSO). With two decades of experience, McMillian reflects on a career that spanned from school resource officer to the Public Information Officer during the COVID-19 pandemic, and eventually to his current role as Agency Recruiter. He shares intimate details about the personal sacrifices and professional triumphs that define a life in uniform, offering a rare "behind the curtain" look at the evolution of modern policing. -- Sergeant McMillian discusses his "unorthodox" path to the LCSO, starting as a reserve deputy in 2005 after being inspired to serve by the events of September 11, 2001. -- A look at the various hats a deputy wears, including the rewarding nature of being a School Resource Deputy at Fairview Middle School and the intensity of the "HEAT" human trafficking unit. -- The challenges of serving as a Public Information Officer (PIO) during 2020, navigating office closures, and communicating vital safety data to the public during a global pandemic. -- The transition from active investigations back to patrol and eventually into recruiting, driven by a desire to mentor and teach the next generation. -- An honest discussion on the importance of communication in policing and why seeing the human being behind the uniform is essential for community trust. -- A "speed round" of fun insights where Shade reveals his preference for coffee over energy drinks and night shifts over days. +++++++ This is episode 008. Find more information here: https://www.leoncountyso.com/