by Miranda G. McLeod
Staff Writer
Roy Henderson hasn’t hung any plaques on the walls of his office yet, but then again, it’s a new office to him. Chief Roy M. Henderson was confirmed last month by the City Council as Division Chief of the Homeland Security and Narcotics/Vice Division for the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office
Henderson’s not new to the division, moving up from assistant chief, but he does have new responsibilities. Henderson now heads the 171-member division, started by Sheriff John Rutherford in 2003 shortly after he took office.
The Homeland Security and Narcotics/Vice Division encompasses the bomb squad, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), tactile support, Aviation, K-9 and mounted units, Sea Port Security and the Negotiator and Dive Teams. He also inherited the Narcotics and Organized Crime units.
The units are all volunteer, but candidates go through a rigorous selection process and spend a lot of time training.
“We train and prepare for the worst-case scenario. That’s the best way to find our weakness,” said Henderson. “We have a commitment from the sheriff for that time.”
Officers also give up much of their personal time to train for and serve on these volunteer, yet very important, units.
“It’s an intense environment and not unusual to be called out while you’re with your family. But that’s just part of it,” said Henderson. “I’m very blessed to have the opportunity to work with such a motivated group.”
Homeland Security assesses critical infrastructure of public and private buildings such as Alltel Stadium, water plants and power plant stations. Homeland Security is divided into seven regions within the state. Duval County and 13 neighboring counties make up Region 3, the biggest in the state.
It is not unusual for the division to partner with many associations including the fire department’s Paramedic and Hazardous Materials Unit, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, Drug Enforcement Administration, the State Attorney’s Office and the Office of the Attorney General, as well as all surrounding agencies.
One of Henderson’s new responsibilities is finding funding for the activities within the division, as more federal money becomes available towards the end of the year, and Henderson fights for those dollars. Much of the money goes for SWAT and Bomb Squad training and equipment.
“We have been very successful in getting equipment for the agency and others in the region,” said Henderson. “Anything that’s not covered by federal dollars, we get at home. I spend a lot of the sheriff’s money.”
The money stays in the region, but Henderson said it can be used elsewhere throughout the state.
“If a terrorism event occurred in Orlando, which is in a different region, they can call on us and — thanks to federal dollars — we can assist them,” said Henderson.
“Florida has a reputation for being ahead of the game as far as planning and equipment for possible terrorist activity,” he continued. “The mayor and sheriff are very forward thinking regarding a terrorist threat.”
Henderson is currently in the process of ordering equipment such as night vision goggles and an armored vehicle to replace the agency’s five-year-old, military surplus vehicle currently in use. The vehicle can be used as protection while officers are able to move in at a scene.
“It’s used a lot. We take it to 75 percent of our callouts. It’s better to have it with us than to have to go get it,” said Henderson.
Henderson will be forced to retire in three and a half years.
“By June 26, 2009 I have to be out of here,” he said. “I don’t want to. This is the only thing I’ve ever known. I think I have the most interesting chief’s job in the agency.”
Henderson has been with the JSO for 31 years and worked under four different sheriffs.