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Meet Our Chief Deputy

Supporting the Sheriff in leading the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office is the Chief Deputy, a key command position responsible for overseeing the agency's day-to-day operations. The Chief Deputy plays a critical role in implementing strategic initiatives, managing personnel across various divisions, and ensuring departmental policies are upheld. This position is vital to maintaining operational efficiency and effectiveness in our mission to serve and protect the citizens of Okeechobee County.

About Chief Deputy Michael Hazellief

Serving and Protecting Since 2002

Chief Deputy Michael Hazellief has served with the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office since 2002 when he started as a volunteer Auxiliary Deputy. During his time, he has served the agency in both Law Enforcement and Corrections working as an Agriculture Investigator, Crisis Negotiations Team Leader, Training Supervisor, and Administrative Lieutenant. Chief Hazellief has a Bachelor's Degree in Organizational Management in Public Safety, attended the FBI National Academy (Session 277), and graduated from the Indian River State College Criminal Justice Institute Leadership Academy in 2015. The Chief is also an adjunct instructor at the Indian River State College Treasure Coast Public Safety Training Complex, where he teaches high liability topics in the basic recruit and instructor-level classes for the academy. He was named IRSC Instructor of the Year in 2015.

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Chief Hazellief is the President of the Okeechobee Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and is involved with many civic organizations within the community. He has served as a Board member of organizations such as the Kiwanis Club of Okeechobee, Okeechobee Masonic Lodge, For Okeechobee, Okeechobee Chamber of Commerce, and RSVP. The Chief’s goal and direction are to create events and activities that generate positive experiences between law enforcement and the citizens they serve. Some of these events include the annual FOP “Shop with a Cop” Christmas event and the Independence Day Celebration.

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Law Enforcement Experience:

  • 2020-present: Chief Deputy

  • 2018-2020: Middle Manger- Lieutenant

  • 2004-2018: OCSO- Deputy Sheriff/ Ag Unit/CNT

  • 2006-present: Indian River State College Adjunct Instructor/ trainer

  • 2001-2004: OCSO- Auxiliary Deputy Sheriff

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Education:

  • 1988: Ft Pierce Central High School - Diploma

  • 2004: Indian River Community College - CJSTC Certified Officer

  • 2011: Indian River State College - Assoc. of Arts Degree

  • 2014 (projected): Indian River State College - B.A. Org. Management

  • 2019: FBI National Academy - Session #277 Graduate

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Personal Attributes:

  • Leader: the ability to guide, train and motivate others in a chosen or directed course of action.

  • Ethical: strong values and personal convictions that set the standard by which I live my life.

  • Professional: ability to communicate effectively and listen intently

  • Subordinate: will follow instructions and directions from supervisors and adopt the directives of the Sheriff as my own.

  • Knowledgeable: familiar with modern law enforcement methods, practices, procedures, and OCSO rules and regulations, policies, and procedures.

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Community Involvement:

  • Okeechobee F&A Masons, Lodge 237: 2009- present

  • Okeechobee Fraternal Order of Police- President: 2008- present

  • Okeechobee Chamber of Commerce- Board Member: 2011- 2013

  • For Okeechobee- Board Member: 2014- present

  • Kiwanis Club of Okeechobee: 2011- 2017

  • Okeechobee Economic Development Committee: 2003 to 2005

  • RSVP Agency on Aging (Board Member): 2013 to present

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Advanced Law Enforcement Training and Certifications:

  • Field training officer

  • Investigative Interviews

  • Line Supervision

  • DEA- Highway Interdiction Certification

  • Middle Management

  • Weapons of Mass Destruction

  • Community & Human Relations

  • Narcotics Identification and Investigations

  • Case preparation and Court Presentation

  • Radar and Laser Operator

  • Asset Seizures and Forfeitures

  • Pursuit Intervention Technique

  • Basic Patrol Rifle

  • Hostage Negotiations

  • Low Light Instructor

  • Pursuit Intervention Tech. certified

  • CJSTC Certified Officer

  • CJSTC Instructor

  • CJSTC Vehicle Operations Instructor

  • CJSTC Firearms Instructor

  • CJSTC First Aid Instructor

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