Former deputy supports Vandenberg for sheriff

Dear Editor:
I worked at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office this past year as a Deputy. I recently turned in my letter of resignation and am leaving the office on good terms. My letter of resignation is attached below.
The narrative I have seen being pushed out to the public by the current administration is that guys are leaving for better jobs. I can speak on that firsthand, that is not accurate. There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing to leave a job such as pay, schedule, benefits, location, work environment, bosses etc. When 10 patrol deputies have chosen to leave the department over the last 6 years under the Weber administration, that should throw up some red flags and questions should be asked. Every single deputy that has left under the Weber administration is publicly supporting Vandenberg for Sheriff.
Yes, a few of them ended up landing better-paying jobs but most of them chose less-paying jobs in order to escape the toxic and non-supportive environment from the Weber administration. I encourage you to reach out to the previous deputies who have left and ask your questions to them if you are curious as to why, in my estimation, 90% of Lee County Law Enforcement is supporting Vandenberg for Sheriff.  
I have seen comments on social media of citizens stating it would be nice to hear from the current deputies as to what is going on at the Sheriff’s Office that is causing them not to politically support the current Sheriff. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has a policy that prohibits current staff to speak a certain way about the Sheriff’s Office that would bring a negative view of the Sheriff’s Office to the public. This is why you have seen current deputies who support Vandenberg not speaking out due to fear of being retaliated against and disciplined for trying to be transparent with the public of the issues going on inside the walls that only the staff is aware of.
I have witnessed several acts of obvious targeting taken place by the Weber Administration to multiple deputies, myself included, since they have publicly shown their support for Vandenberg. That type of treatment is one thing that I do not support and will not tolerate any longer, let alone, it is illegal.
The deputies are leaving due to a lack of leadership and support from the Weber administration, treating employees disrespectfully, lack of training, lack of growth encouragement and support, and many other reasons. Weber has told all of the deputies repeatedly that he is only going to stay for 1-2 years at most if elected before handing it off to his Captain. Once Vandenberg announced his campaign, Weber started saying the opposite to the public in attempt to gain public support. The deputies do not support Weber or his planned successor which is why they have been leaving. The deputies who are choosing to currently stay at the Sheriff’s Office, is holding out hope for positive change come November with Vandenberg as the new Sheriff.
I commend Vandenberg for standing up and speaking out for what he knows is right. If the public knew what actually took place inside that office, how people were treated and talked to, there would be no question as to who the next Lee County Sheriff should be.  

Respectfully,

Andrew Markham