Those of you who have been around for a Sheriff’s election or two, by now have a full understanding of how distracting the "political season" can become. From the perspective of the average employee, you only wish for fair treatment as you compete for promotions and assignments that shape and define your careers. After all, hard work, professional preparation and achievement are the measuring sticks that merit based promotions or assignments should be based upon.

Every Sheriff I have seen elected promised during the campaign that political favoritism would not come into play if they won. Time after time to various degrees that was not the outcome. Ultimately, the changes that can occur in transitions can be very destructive to the organization in terms of morale. Political patronage in the end can only serve the very few to the detriment of the many.

The strength of an elected Sheriff system exemplifies the very premise of democracy in our republic. All authority and power granted to government is through the consent of the people. The power of the Sheriff is not a birth-right to which they are entitled, but rather a covenant between those who are served and those who have been granted the honor and privilege of serving. To strengthen the covenant between the elected Sheriff and the citizens who empower him, the Sheriff must extend that covenant to the employees that do the real serving and sacrificing.

So if elected, I am promising you nothing, because I want to give you something better than a promise. I want to enter into a covenant with each of you. If elected Sheriff, I will professionalize the agency by assuring that promotions and assignments are based on competitive processes, individual performance, professional preparation and educational achievement. Furthermore, I will employ “The rule of 3” in promoting eligible candidates from the developed promotional lists.

Your part of this covenant is that you will at all times give your best efforts in completing all work assignments. You will take every opportunity to train and educate yourselves to become individually and corporately, the best trained, best prepared and best performing law enforcement officers and employees possible. You will at all times treat those we serve with the utmost respect and concern, exceeding expectations with each and every citizen contact.

I know you have heard similar things from other sheriff candidates and have been disappointed by the same old political games after they were elected. So why should you believe I will behave any differently?

Because I have been with you for more than 25 years and three sheriffs. Because I have been the victim of political retribution as many of you have. Because I love the Sheriff's Office and those that work there. Because it is time that you got a fair shake for once from a new sheriff. Not because I am kind and benevolent, but because it is your right to be treated fairly and be able to compete on a level playing field. You earn that right everyday when you come to work and give your best.

This proposal is a winner not only for the employees, but for our citizens as well. They will have the assurance that this Sheriff’s Office will be lead by the best qualified persons leading highly qualified personnel.

Together we can make a real difference in the lives of those we serve and with each other within the organization as well.

- Gary