Created: 12/10/2008 5:22:38 PM 
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- JSO Undersheriff Frank Mackesy says his officers are some the most highly trained in the region in using deadly force.
But lately they have come up against suspects that choose to shoot it out with police.
Mackesy says he was irritated to hear the very serious allegations being leveled at his department.
Specifically, state NAACP President Adora Nweze and local NAACP leaders charging that 28 police involved shootings show JSO is breaking the law.
[MORE: NAACP WANTS INDEPENDENT REVIEW BOARD]
"What kind of irritates me a little about this is where is the outcry for the officers that have been shot this year, we had one officer shot eight times, I didn't see anyone call a news conference and say we want to let these thugs lay their guns down," says Mackesy.
Mackesy represented JSO at a meeting with the NAACP and says an increased frequency in the shootings does not necessarily indicate officers are in the wrong.
And he opposes the NAACP's push for an independent citizen review panel.
"They don't work. Everywhere they've been tried they do not work, what you're doing is taking a function that should be fact-based, based solely on the facts, and putting it into a political arena."
Mackesy points out every case is already reviewed by the State Attorney's office.
And incoming State Attorney Angela Corey promises to make sure the process is open and transparent to the public, but she also opposes a citizen review.
"We don't need that because Florida is an open discovery state, full discovery state, where any citizen can view any investigation that has occurred. So we will make sure everything comports with public records law," says Corey.
Other cities in Florida do use a citizen review board, including St. Petersburg, Orlando and Miami.
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