A Flagler County deputy is back on the job after he left to pursue school but the reason he's back is to recruit and build better relationships between law enforcement and the minority community.

  • Deputy left the force to pursue school but returned after recent shootings
  • Returned to build better relationships between law enforcement and the minority community

"To be a solution to the problem,” said Deputy Williams.

Deputy Jason Williams answered a calling to the Flagler County sheriff's office nearly three years ago after retiring from the military.

"I think I'm a good deputy. I think I treat everybody fairly. I go out in the community I try to comfort everybody speak to everybody no matter what color they are," said Deputy Williams.

But a couple months ago he left to pursue school. He said at least that was his plan until shootings in Baton Rouge, Minnesota, and Dallas happened -- and sitting in a meeting listening to minority's concerns in Flagler County a couple weeks ago.

"I thought maybe I did a disservice by leaving so then I thought again; why do I feel bad about resigning?" said Deputy Williams.

He said he knew inside he had still had a passion for law enforcement. His goals still remain to tap into communities to build better relationships with minorities and law enforcement as well as trying to recruit more blacks and minorities to become officers.

"I am a black male. I am a police officer. I understand both sides of the issue it and it all came down to what do I feel that I can do to make people understand," said Deputy Williams.

The numbers from the sheriff's office show currently the department has 17 black deputies, a dozen Hispanics, and 145 white deputies.

In 2015, 40 blacks applied, a dozen Hispanics, compared to more than 130 white applicants.

The sheriff's office said the numbers reflect the population.

People in the community like Jim Williams would like to see the department become more diverse.

"We need more because we have a bad ratio of black and white," Jim Williams.

Deputy Williams said diversity is key and hoping his presence once again could be a part of the answer.

"I want to be a part of figuring out a way to turn that around I don't have all the answers right now but we do need to do a better job at reaching out. There's a lot we still have to do. Alot we still have to do," said Deputy Williams.