Sheriff Paul Blackman
Highlands County Sheriff's Office
400 South Eucalyptus Street
Sebring Florida 33870
Highlands County Sheriff Paul Blackman took office in January 2017 after having served with the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office for 23 years. He has served as a K-9 handler, detective, road patrol sergeant and lieutenant (watch commander). In the 10 years before his election, he served as captain the Uniform Patrol Division, the Court Related Services Division, the Law Enforcement Bureau and the Detention Bureau.
He has a bachelor’s degree in applied organizational management and a master’s degree in Business Administration from Warner University. He is a graduate of the Florida State University Certified Public Manager Program and the Florida Sheriff’s Association Commanders Academy.
Since taking office, Sheriff Blackman has initiated several new programs in the agency, including opening a Seniors vs. Crime local office, launching a custom smartphone app to better communicate with the residents, establishing a Community Oriented Policing unit that partners with community leaders in high-crime neighborhoods and creating a new Special Operations Division tasked with targeting street-level drug sales and arresting high-value felons. The agency has also taken part in statewide initiatives, such as providing support to Alachua County to counter expected protests at the University of Florida and sending more than 30 deputies to areas impacted by Hurricane Michael.
Sheriff Blackman serves in numerous community organizations including the Sebring Noon Rotary Club. He also serves on the boards of the United Way and the Big Brothers and Big Sisters.
He has a bachelor’s degree in applied organizational management and a master’s degree in Business Administration from Warner University. He is a graduate of the Florida State University Certified Public Manager Program and the Florida Sheriff’s Association Commanders Academy.
Since taking office, Sheriff Blackman has initiated several new programs in the agency, including opening a Seniors vs. Crime local office, launching a custom smartphone app to better communicate with the residents, establishing a Community Oriented Policing unit that partners with community leaders in high-crime neighborhoods and creating a new Special Operations Division tasked with targeting street-level drug sales and arresting high-value felons. The agency has also taken part in statewide initiatives, such as providing support to Alachua County to counter expected protests at the University of Florida and sending more than 30 deputies to areas impacted by Hurricane Michael.
Sheriff Blackman serves in numerous community organizations including the Sebring Noon Rotary Club. He also serves on the boards of the United Way and the Big Brothers and Big Sisters.