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profile

Daniel M. Engert, CJM, CCHP, Chief,
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, Bunnell, Florida

Hello, my name is Daniel M. Engert. I began my career with the Niagara County (New York) Sheriff’s
Office in 1990. I am a U.S. DOJ­certified PREA auditor, an AJA Certified Jail Manager, and an NCCHC
Certified Correctional Health Professional. In 2019, I received a Gold Key Award from the Western
New York Chemical Dependency Consortium in recognition of my efforts to address addiction and
mental health issues in the jail and community. In 2020, I was appointed by Sheriff Rick Staly to serve
as his Court and Detention Division Chief at the Flagler (Florida) County Sheriff’s Office.

• I decided to enter the field of • I felt it was important to be • You’d be surprised to learn
corrections and make it my a member of AJA and serve that… I used to play a mean
career because… Truthfully, on the board because… I trumpet!
I kind of fell into it. I joined have been blessed through­ • I am most proud of… My
the Niagara County Sheriff’s out my 31­year career. From kiddos!
Office for patrol during an an entry level deputy onto • My motto is… Positively
era when everyone started in new jail transition, training, impact inmate outcomes and
the jail. I thrived on the cama­ first line supervisor, watch you will positively impact
raderie among the squads commander, accreditation your community.
and developed close friend­ assessor, and jail administra­
ships with my co­workers. tor, I have gained valuable • If there is one piece of
When it was time for me to experience in all aspects advice I’d like to give to
transfer, I declined and made from the cell blocks to the anyone considering correc-
the best decision of my career chief’s office. I can benefit tions as a career, it would
to stay in corrections. AJA by giving back through be… The ability to effectively
• The most unusual job I’ve my experience over different communicate in­person is the
single most important skill
ever had was… That’s dif­ eras to an organization that is that you need to be success­
ficult. None of my jobs were the preeminent voice for jails ful in this field. No matter
unusual but I’ve worked as across the United States. how advanced technology
a janitor and at McDonald’s • My favorite way to relax is… becomes, we’ll always need
when attending college, and I never thought I would ever the ability to directly com­
sold cars at a Buick Pontiac say this but I’m in Florida municate, negotiate, and
dealership before my career now: Go to the beach! de­escalate with those whom
in corrections. • One item from my personal we supervise in our facilities.
• The hardest thing I’ve ever “bucket list” is to… Attend And remember: Corrections
done is… Leave my lifelong a Super Bowl or World Series is a noble career, not a “step­
home and family, including with the Steelers or Yankees ping stone.” Be proud of who
three grown children and a playing! you are and what you repre­
grandchild, to move my wife • The three people, living or sent as part of law enforce­
and daughter from New York deceased, I’d invite to din- ment. This profession is not
to Florida. ner are… Ronald Reagan, for everyone, so be proud to
• My favorite meal is… Abraham Lincoln, and be the selected few.
Chilean Sea Bass! Dwight K. Schrute.

64 | SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2021 AMERICANJails