Quentin Becton emphasizes officer support and ‘WALK to TALK’ community outreach in chief interview

Quentin Becton, a 24‑year law enforcement veteran and supervisor with the Palatka Police Department, told the Lake Helen selection panel he would prioritize ensuring officers "are well taken care of" as the foundation for effective policing and community safety. He urged active officer involvement in planning and regular outreach to secure buy‑in from staff and residents.

Becton detailed a community plan he called "WALK to TALK," explaining, "WALK is an acronym for WALK, ASK, LISTEN, and KNOW," and that TALK stands for "trust, accountability, leadership, and knowledge." He said the approach centers on visible leadership and monthly walk‑throughs so officers and command staff build relationships and address concerns before they escalate into enforcement matters.

On budgeting, Becton said he prefers line‑item budgeting over a zero‑balance approach because it provides flexibility to shift resources when needed. He told the panel he would avoid cutting patrol positions and prioritize public safety spending while working with officers to identify efficiencies and deploy a strategic plan. Becton also described a 30/60/90 plan beginning with organizational assessment, policy review and stakeholder outreach, then moving to implementation and periodic review.

The interview concluded with Becton thanking commissioners for the opportunity; the panel later included him among the finalists they discussed during ranking.