Local Deputy Takes Helm Of State Agricultural Crimes Unit

It’s a special and unique brand of law enforcement, responding to livestock and agriculture complaints and investigating everything from abuse and neglect of farm animals and cattle theft to citrus crimes and hunting violations. They even have their own statewide association -- the Florida Agricultural Crimes Intelligence Unit -- to enhance their effectiveness through joint training and information-sharing. And its new president is Volusia County Sheriff’s deputy Danny Clifton. 

A Volusia deputy for 8½ years, Clifton was elected president during the group’s annual training seminar last month in Sebring. Clifton said he was particularly excited about the timing, since the association is scheduled to hold next year’s training seminar in Volusia County. And he said his focus during his one-year term at the helm will be promoting continued specialized training for agricultural law enforcement officers and even greater networking and information-sharing among the members and their agencies. “I’m very proud to be the new president,” said Clifton. “I want next year’s conference to be the biggest and best conference ever and a showcase for the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office and our county.” 

The Florida Agricultural Crimes Intelligence Unit, or FACIU, is a non-profit organization comprised of law enforcement officers from 36 agencies across the state who work in the specialized field of agricultural-related crimes. Its members include Sheriff’s deputies, police officers and Fish and Wildlife officers as well as investigators from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. A total of 23 Sheriff’s Offices were represented at the group’s recent training seminar.

Clifton has worked for the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office since January 2003 and has served in the agency’s three-person Agricultural Crimes Unit for the last five years.