Though relatively small in size with nearly 30 sworn and 4 civilian personnel, the Sheriff's Office is widely diverse in its responsibilities. From uniformed patrol, criminal investigation, court security, to a number of specialized operations and civil tasks, the Sheriff oversees a wide variety of law enforcement activities that are crucial to the well-being of our citizens. My role as sheriff is to ensure that personnel and resources are utilized in the most productive manner possible.

I am leading the charge toward improving the Sheriff's Office from the inside out one day at a time. Administratively, roles, rules, policies and procedures will be evaluated for value and purpose. Operationally, talents will be matched with well thought out goals and objectives. Input from the fine men and women of the Sheriff's Office will not only be welcome, it will be encouraged.

Some of the changes in our society have required police to adjust in ways that would have never been imagined just a few years ago. As a graduate of North Caroline High School, I never dreamed of the day as a teenager when a police officer would be stationed at a Caroline County School, much less become an integral part of the day-to-day activities there. With deputies now assigned to schools in both ends of the county, the results speak for themselves and have proven effective in providing a safer environment for staff and students alike. I plan to improve the initiative even more, seeking ways to enhance the role of those specialized officers within the school community.

The malicious use of social networking increasingly challenges law enforcement. Developing at an amazing pace, the benefits of social networking are sometimes overshadowed by the risks, especially to our young folks. Bullying for example, has gone from something that was once viewed as a minor incident on school grounds to a high tech dissemination of vicious attacks with potentially devastating effects. Investigators will be provided the tools and training to stay abreast of social networking and be prepared to respond when it adversely affects our citizens.

Having served as an investigator and supervisor in the Maryland State Police Criminal Investigation Division, I am encouraged by the steps taken in legislature in recent years concerning sex offenders. The Sheriff's Office serves as the local registration agency for all sexual offenders including sexually violent predators. With registered sex offenders living throughout the county, the task of tracking their whereabouts is a huge responsibility requiring dedication and focus. The Sheriff's Office must be ever vigilant in carrying out this important mandate which many would argue is one of the most critical.

Considering the many challenges facing law enforcement today, cooperation among police agencies has never been more important. With crime routinely overlapping jurisdictional boundaries, individual law enforcement agencies simply cannot do it alone. To be successful, it is crucial for police to be proactive in their efforts to communicate and share resources. I am reaching out to those relationships that I have developed from over 30 plus years in law enforcement to offer a "win-win" strategy in our enforcement efforts.

The key to success for any law enforcement agency is rooted in its partnership with the community. In fact, my years of leading narcotics task forces have taught me that community input is the single most important element to any winning plan. I welcome community involvement and will encourage every member of the Sheriff's Office to become stakeholders in the areas they serve. Well trained police officers coupled with a pro-active community is one of the best anti-crime investments we can make.

The very lifeblood of any dynamic law enforcement agency is measured by its ability to adapt. Those that excel, fill their ranks with leadership and personnel willing to accept new ideas, fresh initiatives, and possess a resolve to find better ways to accomplish the often daunting tasks of law enforcement. My goal will be to set the Sheriff's Office on a course of continual improvement. Some advances will take time and others will be budget driven, however my mission will be to lead a Sheriff's Office that is consistently forward thinking, energetic and committed to serving the citizens of Caroline County to the best of its ability.