Prioritizing Employee Well-Being - My approach begins with a dedicated focus on supporting personnel in all three primary divisions: Corrections, Administrative, and Patrol. By ensuring that every employee feels valued and protected in their respective roles, we lay the foundation for a productive and positive work environment.
I am committed to giving employees the confidence and security needed to perform their duties effectively. This includes establishing clear protocols and support systems so that staff in Corrections, Administrative, and Patrol can fulfill their responsibilities without undue concern for their professional stability.
Open and transparent communication is a cornerstone of my strategy. I aim to foster ongoing dialogue between Corrections, Administrative, and Patrol through multiple channels such as surveys (including platforms like Survey Monkey), regular meetings, and maintaining a genuine open-door policy. This commitment to communication ensures that all voices are heard and that employees can share feedback or concerns without fear of retaliation.
Once the well-being and needs of our employees are addressed, they are enabled to provide exceptional service to our citizens. I remain committed to innovative approaches that enhance both our office and the experiences of our personnel and the community. By continually seeking new ideas and solutions, I’ll ensure that our department remains responsive and effective.
I prioritize ongoing training opportunities for our deputies, with the goal of consistently exceeding standard policing practices. This focus on professional development equips our team with the skills and knowledge necessary to deliver high-quality service and maintain public safety at the highest level.
To support our mission and improve operational capabilities, I will actively pursue grants and additional funding streams. These resources would enable us to acquire advanced tools—such as the Grappler, drones, and less-lethal equipment—that enhance the safety and effectiveness of our operations.
I am committed to re-engaging with schools and working proactively with school administrators. By collaborating to identify and implement improved safety measures, I strive to create safer environments and better protect our youth.
Make Lewis County unwelcoming for criminal activity, my ongoing commitment is to restore the county as an uncomfortable environment for criminal behavior. By focusing on the deterrence and prevention of crime, I aim to reinforce public safety and community trust.
We will maintain a no-frills jail environment, ensuring that incarceration is a deterrent rather than a comfort for offenders. This approach underscores our dedication to accountability and reinforces the consequences for criminal activity.
We will identify and target areas within the county that experience elevated rates of criminal activity. Deploying proactive patrols in these locations allows us to address crime promptly and effectively, making it clear that our community will not tolerate unlawful behavior.
To improve transparency and facilitate timely communication with the public, I will establish a dedicated Public Information Officer (PIO) position. The PIO will serve as the primary point of contact during major incidents, ensuring accurate and consistent messaging. In addition, patrol and corrections sergeants will be empowered to share essential information on our social media platforms as needed. This decentralized approach will help disseminate critical updates quickly and effectively.
Enhancing public trust and understanding remains a top priority. To support this, I will enable comments on our social media posts, creating opportunities for two-way communication and direct community feedback. This interactive approach will foster a stronger relationship with the public and demonstrate our commitment to open dialogue.
My commitment to transparent communication is rooted in past initiatives. When serving as a detective under Sheriff Mansfield, our first Facebook page was created to share information with the public and gather valuable leads on cases. This page, which highlighted our department’s history and outreach efforts, produced immediate results: we received actionable tips on cases and identified wanted individuals who may have otherwise eluded capture. Equally important, the initiative generated significant community buy-in and engagement, underscoring the effectiveness of proactive communication.
To strengthen relationships and foster open communication with residents, I will conduct community meetings on a quarterly basis throughout all regions of the county. These meetings are designed to provide opportunities for community members to share concerns, discuss local issues, and offer feedback directly to law enforcement leadership. By engaging with the public in every area, we can better understand the unique challenges faced by different communities and work collaboratively to address them.
Regularly scheduled meetings will help establish a consistent and transparent dialogue, allowing us to build trust and form lasting bonds with our communities. Through these sessions, I will aim to ensure that every voice is heard and that our efforts align with the needs and priorities of the people we serve.
To promote a deeper understanding of law enforcement operations, I will offer citizen academies for community members interested in learning more about the daily responsibilities and challenges faced by our personnel. These academies will provide participants with firsthand insight into the work of law enforcement, fostering greater transparency and appreciation for the complexities of the profession.
In addition to enhancing public knowledge, the citizen academies will serve as a foundation for developing a volunteer program within the sheriff’s office. Graduates of these classes will have the opportunity to contribute their time and skills as volunteers, further supporting our mission and strengthening the partnership between law enforcement and the community.
To enhance the flow of information and strengthen coordination among our teams, I will focus on improving communication between Patrol, Corrections, and the various shifts working within the department. Effective and timely sharing of information is essential for addressing operational needs, responding to incidents, and supporting personnel across divisions.
I have observed the proven benefits that other agencies have achieved by implementing digital communication platforms such as Microsoft Teams and similar technologies. These virtual bulletin boards provide a centralized space where members of Corrections, Patrol, Detectives, and Administration can all view, post, and update important information. This shared platform encourages transparency and ensures that critical updates, announcements, and operational notes are accessible to everyone who needs them.
By utilizing such technology, I aim to create a collaborative environment in which all staff, regardless of shift or assignment, can contribute and stay informed. This approach will help eliminate information silos and promote a unified, well-coordinated response to the needs of our department and the community we serve.
I recognize the vital importance of collaborating with law enforcement agencies both within our county and across neighboring jurisdictions. By making a conscious effort to build and sustain these partnerships, something we haven't had in a long time, I am committed to enhancing the effectiveness of our collective efforts. I firmly believe that when we work together and share resources, the true beneficiaries are the citizens we serve, who enjoy improved safety and a more coordinated response to their needs.
To further our commitment to interagency cooperation, I will focus on re-establishing the Regional SWAT team. This initiative will involve all cities within the county, ensuring that each jurisdiction has access to specialized support and resources during critical incidents. Throughout this process, I will also strive to develop a highly capable "stand-alone" team, providing our county with the ability to respond independently when necessary while still benefiting from regional collaboration.
I am committed to building upon the successful programs and practices established by previous sheriffs. By evaluating and retaining those strategies that have proven effective, we ensure continuity and ongoing improvement within our department. This approach allows us to honor the positive legacy of past leadership while adapting to meet current and future challenges.
Fostering Countywide Collaboration
Including the Prosecutor’s Office, Public Works, Coroner’s Office, and other vital departments, remains a top priority. Working closely with these agencies is essential for developing a unified and robust partnership throughout the county. Such cooperation enhances our ability to serve the public efficiently, address diverse needs, and maintain a safe community for all residents.
I will look partner with the patrol guild to reinstitute the patrol reserve program, providing additional support and resources for our patrol operations. In addition, I am considering the possibility of establishing a reserve program for corrections. Input from the corrections guild will be sought to ensure any new program meets operational needs and supports our personnel effectively.
