>>SNIP>
>>>Thanks, the only problem is my department (the sheriff) is trying to keep me from taking a group (30 officers on board now) because of politics. We're going anyway. I am retiring and have over 300 hours of vacation time that I will take, so he can . . . . (you get the point)
>>
>>I get the point... and I doubt the Sheriff would get much sympathy for his position if word were to get out.
>
>Yep, that's gonna be the strategy.

I know without a doubt that you are doing this for all the right reasons, but it sounds like the balance of support will be in your favor come election time.