A memo by the State Attorney’s Office shows that officers asked to arrest Clay County Sherriff Darryl Daniels’ ex-girlfriend had serious doubts about that directive.
According to the May 7 memo, officers “did not believe there was probable cause for the arrest” and “did not feel comfortable putting this woman in jail.”
The memo quoted CCSO Lt. Baylor Alexander suggesting the woman's statement to police challenged the sheriff's version of events.
"The lieutenant told [the SAO] that the woman wrote a four-page statement that 'creamed' the sheriff."
The memo followed a May 6 incident, in which Daniels summoned his own officers to arrest his girlfriend of 6 years, claiming she was stalking him.
First Coast News requested comment about the memo from the sheriff’s office. A spokesperson declined comment, but in response to a public records request provided a copy of the General Order governing the duties and responsibilities of command staff and supervisors.
General Order 2000.8 makes clear that officers have little choice when given a direct order. A section titled Obedience to Orders says, "members of the Clay County Sheriff's Office will promptly obey and execute any lawful orders emanating from supervisory members, including any order relayed from supervisory authority through any member of the same or lesser rank."
The section adds, “Disagreeable duties must be performed, and unpopular orders obeyed.”
Sheriff Darryl Daniels has not yet publicly addressed the affair, or the arrest of his girlfriend. The matter has been referred to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for review.