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Transparency and Use of Force
The Volusia Sheriff’s Office is dedicated to preserving the peace, protecting the safety of every person in our community and ensuring the fair treatment of all who encounter our deputies and staff. Sheriff Mike Chitwood has instituted several policies, training initiatives and organizational philosophies designed to reduce use of force, emphasize de-escalation, and recognize that the sanctity of all life is our highest priority.
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The Sheriff's Office strives to maintain the highest professional standards while delivering a full range of community-based law enforcement and crime prevention programs to the citizens of Volusia County. In addition to our jurisdiction throughout unincorporated Volusia, the Sheriff's Office also provides law enforcement services on a contract basis in Deltona, DeBary, Pierson and Oak Hill.
Shortly after taking office in 2017, Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood commissioned a use of force study by the Washington, D.C.-based Police Executive Research Forum (PERF). The study analyzed Volusia Sheriff's Office policy, procedure, tactics, training and culture related to use of force and reviewed every deputy-involved shooting that occurred over the prior 3 years. The report is available here: PERF report
The Volusia Sheriff’s Office had 87 total use of force incidents in 2025, or about 0.8 percent of 10,665 total arrests and less than 0.02 percent of 306,662 calls for service. Of those 87 incidents, 86 involved non-deadly force, like restraining physical force, a K-9 apprehension or a Taser. The remaining 99+ percent of all interactions occurred without incident.
Total use of force incidents each year since 2016 are as follows:
2025: 87
2024: 48
2023: 58
2022: 48
2021: 54
2020: 69
2019: 65
2018: 87
2017: 122
2016: 123
Each year, we produce a detailed report on use of force, which is available in the list of document links on this page.
We’re constantly evaluating our organization to make sure we’re setting a high standard for the actions of law enforcement in Volusia County, and we will continue to pursue the best policies, procedures and training to provide the best protection and service to every person in our county.