UPDATE (05-15-20 8:45 AM): Chris Graham, spokesperson for the City of DeLand, told News Daytona Beach this morning that DeLand Police Chief Jason Umberger has decided to comment on the situation. Graham delivered his statement to News Daytona Beach via email:
“I’m grateful that our officers and the deputies involved in this incident are OK and were able to go home after it was all over. Things could have been very different had the suspect decided to use the firearm during the traffic stop that our officers conducted.
All we were trying to do (at the news conference this week) was convey accurate information about what happened. After several incidents in the past before my time here, our community had asked that the department and the city be transparent with them and so that’s what I was trying to do and will continue to do.
I would welcome a call from Sheriff Mike Chitwood and we could talk about how our agencies can continue working together to keep our citizens safe.”
Additionally, Graham said that the city has called Sheriff Chitwood. But, to Graham's knowledge, Sheriff Chitwood has yet to call back.
Earlier reporting and comments below.
DeLand, FL - In the wake of a deputy-involved shooting, Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood and the Volusia Deputies Association are criticizing DeLand Police Chief Jason Umberger over his response to the incident.
Chitwood's response came after Chief Umberger's press conference, which detailed the DeLand Police Department's involvement with the deceased suspect, 37-year-old Gregory Howe.
Thank God their training and experience gave them the protection they needed at that crucial moment. And thank God the DeLand officers at that initial traffic stop weren't senselessly ambushed.
- Sheriff Mike Chitwood, via Facebook
But, according to Sheriff Chitwood's comments, he thinks Chief Umberger's conference had a different concern in mind. Obviously, Chitwood is concerned with the wellbeing of law enforcement personnel, and he's thankful that the DeLand officers were not hurt, but that's not where the problem stems from.
Per his post on Facebook, Chitwood's problem with Chief Umberger comes from the fact that he believes Umberger was more concerned about informing people that his officers did not pursue Howe, as the department's policy prohibits chasing a suspect over civil traffic violations.
"Today, I was saddened to learn via the news media that the main concern of the lightweight Police Chief of DeLand is to call a news conference and make sure everyone knows his officers didn't pursue or follow this suspect," said Chitwood on Facebook. "My first call out on the radio after I heard "Shots fired" was to find out if our guys were OK. Chief Umberger's biggest concern is about his pursuit policy."
And the public comments didn't stop there. The Volusia Deputies Association released an open letter today (May 14th) addressed to Chief Umberger.
Brodie Hughes, the author of the letter and the president of the VCDA Local 6035, called the press conference "appalling" and called out Chief Umberger for "attempting to distance the DeLand Police Department" from the shooting altogether.
"Trying to suggest to the media that the underlying reason for the stop should have negated our efforts to apprehend Gregory Howe is an outright distortion of how everyday real world police work is conducted," wrote Hughes. "...your officers had already indicated through radio transmissions that they could identify Gregory Howe and had a probable cause for a felony arrest, something that would have warranted a trip to jail. Insinuating that Gregory Howe would not have been taken to jail for his traffic violations is simply not true."
Additionally, Hughes mentioned a "lack of empathy" that Umberger supposedly displayed towards deputies. He cites Umberger not thanking deputies for their courage or appreciation for their efforts in apprehending the man who ran from his officers.
"Instead, you spent your time in front of the cameras today doing your level best to cover your own ass, all while undermining the bravery and valor demonstrated by our deputies," Hughes said.
Hughes also criticized and mocked Umberger's decision to remove tire inflation devices from DeLand's police cars.
"Obviously, the removal of this valuable law enforcement tool means that, either YOU are soft on crime, or are afraid to allow the officers to do their jobs."
He finished off his letter with a statement, telling Umberger that if he wants to apologize, he'll arrange a press conference.
News Daytona Beach has reached out to the City of DeLand to see if Chief Umberger has a response to these comments. Chris Graham, spokesperson for the City of DeLand, said that Chief Umberger declined to comment on the situation.
