MIKE FISHER

July 17, 2019
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Osceolawoman2017
Posted in Community & Play Cover Stories Featured Life & Work
2

Field of Business: Law Enforcement
Corporate Security | Candidate for Sheriff

Since the age of 19 (1987), I served at the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, retiring at the rank of Captain (2017). I have worked in many areas of the Sheriff’s Office most were in the operational areas. As a Field Training Officer in the Patrol Division I trained new deputies. I spent time as a Detective in the Criminal Investigations Division. As a Detective, I have worked everything from burglaries to homicides, and became knowledgeable in all aspects of the investigation’s world. Staying in Investigations I worked as a Narcotics and Gang Detective, as well as in a Street Crimes Unit. I gained considerable knowledge investigating drug and gang related crimes (prostitution and robberies). I spent time investigating tourist related crimes as part of a tactical unit and worked in the Civil, Warrants and Court Security units.

As a Sergeant for five years, I gained valuable knowledge in leading others while supervising a Field Training Squad. In 2005, Sheriff Hansell, asked me to create a new unit to investigate Tourist Crime. The Tourism Policing Unit was created.

As a Lieutenant for seven years, I learned the management side of law enforcement and continued to build and diversify my experience. I gained knowledge in managing several areas of the agency, always staying on the operational side of law enforcement. I managed a Field Training Platoon in Patrol furthering my knowledge in the training of new deputies. I returned to the Criminal Investigations Division, commanding the West Criminal Investigations Division. I later managed and redesigned our Intelligence Section and added more Crime Analysts to the Sheriff’s Office. During my time as a Lieutenant I was also the Commander of the Emergency Response Team.

In 2016 I was promoted to Captain over the West region of Osceola County where I later retired.
Today, I work for Universal Orlando and head-up their Investigations Department. Working on the corporate security side I have taken many principles of leadership that I learned in law enforcement and applied them successfully in the corporate world. Still having a love for law enforcement, Osceola County and knowing what it takes to lead a modern engaged law enforcement agency, I decided to run for Osceola County Sheriff in 2020.

As your Sheriff, I promise to Focus Back on Policing; Engaging our Youth; Address Homelessness; Tourism & Safety and Accountability to Our Citizens. Let’s Work together to make Osceola County a safe place to Live, Work & Play!

OWM: Business pet peeve?

FISHER: I have two actually

# 1. When leaders think they exist to be served by their workers, when in reality leaders should exist to serve their workers..

# 2. Failure to follow up

OWN: Favorite Hobby?

FISHER: I don’t really have any hobbies but since becoming a grandfather I have four of the greatest grandsons that I love spending time with. From sleepovers at Gem and Pop’s house to facetiming with them before bed. Being a grandparent is truly unique and it is also great to see your children become great parents. It is truly one of life’s biggest joys, at least for me it is.

OWN: Guilty Pleasure?

FISHER: Well, I’m going to have to admit this. I love sitting with my wife Rachel and watching the TV show “Big Brother” and having some Oreos and a big ol’ glass of cold milk. I know sounds crazy but watching the interactions of the people on that show lets us both know we would never make it past round one.

OWM: A cause you are most passionate about?

FISHER: I am and will always be passionate about the health and safety of our law enforcement officers. Not just on the job but off as well. To narrow it down a bit more we need to focus more on their mental health. In law enforcement we see things most will never see in a lifetime, I know I have. I think we (law enforcement) need to be better at admitting we do at times struggle with things like mental health and substance abuse issues and its ok to talk about it. But it’s such a taboo subject in law enforcement. We have got to be better at taking care of our men and women in blue by truly establishing a real holistic program that incorporates their families as well.

OWN: What is your favorite thing about Osceola County?

FISHER: My favorite thing about Osceola County is its diversity and history and because of that I have always seen this county as a shining light on a hill, so to speak. My other favorite thing about this county is this is where I met my wife, where my children were born and raised and where my grandchildren are being raised. It is where I have met some of my dearest friends and lost some. Osceola is and always will be my home!!

OWN: One thing you would like people to know about you:

FISHER: I was the President of the Florida Youth Ice Hockey League, which was the statewide league for AA youth ice hockey. In addition, I was the Director of Youth Ice Hockey for the Ice Factory here in Kissimmee, where I helped coach the Publisher of this magazine, Jena Threadgill, in her ice hockey playing days. So proud to see Jena and many other young players from that program grow up and became involved in our community.