New St. Lucie County Sheriff Keith Pearson unveils goals for new position

FORT PIERCE, Fla. – Newly-appointed St. Lucie County Sheriff Keith Pearson discussed his goals for his new position and why he requested the Florida Inspector General come to the department.

Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Pearson Dec. 1 after former Sheriff Ken Mascara, who served for 23 years as sheriff, abruptly announced his retirement due to health issues.

In a letter to the governor following Pearson’s appointment, he said he welcomed any guidance from the Florida inspector general as the sheriff seeks greater “transparency” within the department.

On Florida’s Voice with Brendon Leslie, he said the previous sheriff “built a solid foundation,” but said the office “can always do better.”

“​​So, we’re open with our transparency here for anyone to come in, take a look at what we have going on,” Pearson said. “What can we do better? You know, we want to be the best we can and then we want to be better than that.”

Pearson said his goals as sheriff are “stabilization” and to let the deputies and staff know “that everything’s okay.”

“Everything’s gonna stay stable,” Pearson said. “Ensure the community that there’s no interruptions in law enforcement services. And just getting the message out there that we’re going to be doing some positive changes here at the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office.”

Leslie asked Pearson why he thinks the governor thought he was the right man for the job.

“Just sitting back and looking at over the years, I’ve asked myself that question,” Pearson said.

The new conservative sheriff said throughout his time of service at the sheriff’s office, he has worked in “every single unit.”

Pearson said in his most recent position, he was in charge of the “largest unit” and ensured the safety and security of over 48,000 students.

“The new approach and the problem solving tactics that I’ve brought to it, I think really is gonna put St. Lucie County in the right direction,” he said. “My ideology and values is that in line with that of our current governors.”

Pearson grew up in St. Lucie County and has served at the sheriff’s office for 20 years. He said that who he was is what “allowed” him to be in this new position.

“Who I was yesterday is the person who put me here and that’s gonna be who I am tomorrow,” Pearson said. “And that’s my ideology, my values, common sense policing, just problem solving, you know, everybody has issues and we need to make sure that we’re able to solve their problems.”