Nicki Hunt was born in West Palm Beach, Florida. She grew up in Belle Glade, Florida where she graduated from Glades Day School in 2005.

While in high school, Hunt worked as a hostess at Black Gold Steakhouse. She also worked part-time at PNC Bank in the bank’s records department. After graduation, she was promoted by PNC Bank to a teller position where she worked until 2008. During this time, she also attended Palm Beach State College (formerly Palm Beach Community College) where she earned her A.A. Degree. She then enrolled at Hodges University and received her B.A. Degree in Business Administration.

In September of 2008, Hunt was hired by the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) as a dispatcher. While working as a dispatcher, Hunt was asked to assist with the HCSO’s Accreditation process. She spent some of her work time rewriting policies and showing proof that the guidelines were being followed. All of the i’s were dotted and the t’s were crossed, and in September of 2012, the HCSO received their Accreditation.

After receiving the award, an actual Accreditation position was created at HCSO. Hunt decided to leave Dispatch, and was hired as the Accreditation Manager and Human Resource Clerk for the sheriff’s department. Her daily responsibilities include making sure the department stays compliant with the accreditation process. Hunt is responsible for making sure that all of the necessary documents that prove the validity for certification are completed correctly. She must review the department’s policies and procedures, and provide trainings and workshops for employees when necessary. She is willing to do whatever she is asked to do, and has no hesitations when it comes to finding out the answers to any questions asked. Along with these responsibilities, Hunt assists Patsy in the agency’s supply unit. She helps place orders, receive orders, and issues equipment out to the employees.

Every three years, Assessors from across the state of Florida travel to the HCSO to perform an audit of the department. Hunt has had the opportunity to serve as an Assessor for other departments in the area as well. She stated that she enjoys being an Assessor because it gives her the “opportunity to see how other sheriff’s departments operate, and gain new knowledge to bring back to the HCSO.”

For Hunt, every day is different. She regularly composes and returns emails, answers and returns phone calls, responds to questions from deputies and investigators, deals with paperwork, and spends time entering data in the computer. Along with maintaining accreditation policies, she also spends time assisting others throughout the department whenever this is a need.

In 2009, Hunt married her husband, Jared, who also works in law enforcement. They have two fur-babies named Cajun (Walker and Hound Dog mix) and Crush (German Shepherd).

Spending time with family and friends is a priority for Hunt. She is very active in the First Baptist Church of Alva where she assists with their Youth Group and Children’s Church. Although she doesn’t consider herself a photographer, she enjoys taking pictures. Volunteering is also a very important part of Hunt’s life. In fact, she often helps her cousin and uncle when they do yard work just because she likes to stay busy and help. Hunt enjoys listening to an eclectic array of various music genres as well.

Hunt stated that she “loves this agency, her job and the people she works with.” Not one to enjoy dull moments, she is also known as the jokester of the department. Life is too short to not laugh and have a little fun once in a while. Whenever a funny situation arises, be assured that you will probably here someone say “only Nicki!”

With the ongoing news coverage of police shootings in this nation and the negative attitude toward the police nationwide, the staff of the Caloosa Belle has decided to show our support to the men and women of the Hendry County Sheriff’s Department who protect us every day. In the following weeks we will be introducing you to them and letting you know what they do to keep you safe every day.