Have you ever been arrested? Ever had any tax liens? If so, start & resolution dates?

Nope.

 

What are the three main reasons you are running for this office? Do you see any potential conflicts of interest?

-I am running to bring the level of leadership and experience to the Sheriff’s Office that can . I have spent my entire adult life learning, teaching, working, and practicing in the field of Criminal Justice. I have direct applicable experience working at the TDCJ Walls Unit and at the MCSO includes corrections, patrol, investigations, and administration. I know the needs of the Sheriff’s Office and the community we serve. I will apply my experience and education to continually move the Sheriff’s Office forward to become the most efficient and effective law enforcement agency that it can be.

-I am running for Sheriff because of a long time commitment and loyalty to the MCSO and its employees, which is like a second family to me. Throughout my 21 years of employment with the MCSO, I have prepared myself for the next step in leadership positions and have reached the point in my career that I am ready and fully capable of assuming the chief executive leadership role of the agency. The vast majority of employees of the Sheriff’s Office see me as the man they trust to lead them in their respective roles into the future.

-I am running for the community we serve. As a member of this community for many years, I know of no better way that I am capable of serving the residents of Montgomery County than to ensure their safety and personal security by providing them with the best law enforcement services available.  As a member of this community, I feel a commitment and responsibility to ensure the safety and security of all our residents.

-There are no potential conflicts of interest.

What are the three main reasons you are running for this office? Do you see any potential conflicts of interest?

The qualifications and experience I have that make me the best candidate are my practical working knowledge of the Sheriff’s Office attained through a career of preparation for the “next step” in leadership. I began as a line level deputy working in South Montgomery County/The Woodlands in 1994. I was continually asked to take on more responsibility and assume more comprehensive leadership roles and I excelled with every opportunity. I have held the ranks of corporal (field trainer), Sergeant (1st line supervisor), Lieutenant (mid-manager) with assignments to Patrol, Internal Affairs, and Administration (policy writer, field training coordinator, media liaison), and Captain (full Division manager) over both the Patrol and the Jail Divisions.

I have been actively involved in Emergency Management and Domestic Preparedness since the attack on our country on 9/2001. I have served as Incident Commander during the natural disasters of hurricanes Rita and Ike as well as the Magnolia Wildfires of 2011. I have not only the formal education of a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice Management, but I also have practical leadership training through the 9 week Leadership Command College held jointly between Texas A&M in College Station, Texas Woman’s University in Denton, and at Sam Houston State in Huntsville. I am also proud to be one of the less than one half of one percent of law enforcement officers who has graduated from the 10 week long FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. I have continually prepared myself for the next step in my career and have worked hard to be the best employee, supervisor, and manager that I could be. The combination of my qualifications, experience, and preparation makes me the best candidate for Sheriff of Montgomery County.

What do you see as the 3 major challenges for your office over this next term?

-The growth of Montgomery County and keeping up with the needs of the population will prove to be a challenge. As population increases, service requests will increase. That is not to say that crime will increase, but volume of requests for services will be an ever increasing burden on all levels of the agency. This will obviously affect major divisions like the Jail, Patrol, and Investigations. A larger burden will fall to the Staff Services commands, such as open records, IT, fleet services and radio system, dispatch, jail rehabilitation programs, bailiffs and court liaisons, victim services and witness coordination, recruiting and all of the others that work behind the scenes to keep the front line divisions operating.

-Technology will be a major tool for efficiency purposes, but will be difficult and costly to manage. Many of our technology systems will begin to age and surpass their useful life expectancy. We will need to incorporate into our strategic planning some methodology for keeping up with technology at both the hardware and software level in order to provide the employees with the tools they need to do their jobs and maintain their effectiveness without compromise.

-A self-imposed challenge I will face during my first term will be creating and fostering relationships with other law enforcement agencies, the district and county attorney offices, as well as the public we serve. I have pledged to move the MCSO from a traditional command and control law enforcement agency to a more modern community policing agency that focuses on communication, bilateral information flow, and crime analysis across jurisdictional boundaries. I am greatly anticipating this challenge and my skill set as well as my ability to communicate will assist me in making this challenge into a reality. I look forward to new and enhanced working relationships with the other leaders in the cities and County. Through conversation with many of these leaders, they are anxious for me to take office so as to assist them in efficiency and crime control within their jurisdictions as well.

What goals do you have in mind, if you are elected, and to which you want to be measured against in the coming term?

-I have pledged to work with my partners at the Precinct #3 and #4 to create a “force multiplier” effect in order to get reactive calls for service handled more expeditiously. These areas are two of the most challenging for county law enforcement due to volume of requests for service (calls) as well as heavy traffic. Using the Constables to assist the Sheriff’s Office during times of heavy volume will improve efficiency and effectiveness without added expense to the tax payer.

-I pledge to deploy a timely crime analysis program that transcends jurisdictional lines. The criminals don’t recognize city limits or precinct lines so neither should law enforcement. The leadership team at the MCSO in coordination with Conroe PD and the DA has brought new law enforcement software to the County. We will have the tools to be able to accurately measure and analyze crime data with the expectation that patrol will transition from a random patrol to a directed patrol method thus impacting crime rates.

Are the United States and Texas constitutions living documents?  Please answer in the context of Progressivism versus Originalism.   

I think the US Constitution is a living document at times although I think it should be a timeless document that is not subject to change without amendment requiring overwhelming support of the people and of the states. It becomes alive when a progressivist interpretation makes the majority opinion versus when an originalist does. A good example that brought the Constitution to life is the recent decision that made same sex marriage the law of the land. I think the best interpretation method used to make judicial decisions that impact our society forever would be the Originalist approach. This method more often shares my conservative ideals and restricts an arrogant judiciary from creating law thus overreaching into one of the other forms of government, specifically the legislative branch. Progressivism is the thought that the framers of our constitution could not have predicted the popular shift in values in which we operate today in many areas of modern society. This approach is dangerous in that it leaves social change advocates as those who can use their personal interpretation to force change upon a society (or state) that may not want the change, but more frightening, it is not the job of the judiciary but of the legislature. The Texas Constitution is a different animal. This document is meant to create a framework for governance at the state, local, and municipal levels. This Constitution is a living document in that the legislature proposes many amendments per session and the vote of the people dictate whether they pass or fail. The interpretation using originalism vs. progressivism remain the same; however, the context of the framer is oftentimes much more current and the authors may be alive or even still in office in order to glean information as to their intent. That option is obviously not available with respect to the original U.S. framers.

What is the job of a Constable? 

The Sheriff is the “conservator of the peace” in Texas. There is one sheriff per county making there 254 Sheriffs in Texas. The Sheriff is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the county jail. He also provides bailiffs to the courts and has primary jurisdiction over crime and disorder in the unincorporated area of the county although his jurisdiction is not diminished by the existence of municipalities. The Sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer of the county. This is my belief because he is the only county-wide elected law enforcement official. The district attorney would argue to be the one who holds this role, but I would argue against that because although both offices are county-wide and part of the executive branch, the District Attorney does not hold a responsibility to the people at the lowest levels of interaction. We interact with people in their homes, in the streets, in their business, and often at the lowest points of their lives. We also interact with those that are top influencers in society and those in between. This interaction may come whether a crime is involved or not since we are a general service law enforcement agency that also houses all pre-trial and some convicted offenders. The DA prosecutes or finds justice from those criminal cases it is fed from law enforcement. The Sheriff possesses one of the most important roles in politics as his influence and interaction with society is vital to the safety, well-being, and prosperity of the residents, which has a further influence on local commerce. No one wants to live, shop, or work where crime is an issue or where fear of law enforcement is in existence.

Civic, Political or union organization or individuals to whom you have contributed (five years):

Montgomery County Republican Party, Ted Cruz for President, Tommy Gage for Sheriff, Sheriff’s Association of Texas, Montgomery County Fair Association, EMC Fair Association, Magnolia FFA, Willis FFA, Conroe Noon Lions Club, 1st Presbyterian Church of Conroe, NRA, Edna Gladney Center for Adoption, Kiwanas Club, Rotary Club, Concerns of Police Survivors, 100 Club, ALS Foundation, Academy for Criminal Justice Sciences, Sam Houston State charitable and Alumni foundations, Constitutional Sheriff and Police Officers Association, associate member and frequent donor to all 6 Montgomery County Women’s Clubs, MC Young Republicans. Willis ISD foundations such as athletics, PTO, Interact Club, Band, 4H, Operation Graduation, etc, Montgomery County Law Enforcement Association, Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas, Texas Police Association, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, FBI National Academy Associates (Alumni), Leadership Command College Alumni Association. There are probably many more that I can’t think of….

Please describe the best way for the average voter to determine which candidate for this office is best.

The voter should be involved in the community and know the candidates as well as the issues facing them. As we know, this is most often not the case. I feel it is acceptable for the voter to first meet the candidates and form their opinion of them. It is secondly a good tactic to talk to those who have worked with the candidate, who know how to interpret the candidates resume, who know what the traits and requirements of the job are and if the candidate possesses those skills and traits. I fully believe in candidate vettings, forums, and debates to extemporaneously extract the thoughts, beliefs, and salient job knowledge from the candidate. Signs, slogans, and marketing don’t reveal the product behind the campaign.

Where do you think the possibility for corruption resides in county government?  How would you handle it in your department, even if you think there is none?

Corruption can be found anywhere, but you usually find it where least expected. I served as the lieutenant of MCSO Internal affairs from 2006-2009 and investigated many crimes and policy violations committed by law enforcement as well as non-commissioned support staff. Strong policies and effective oversight are paramount in preventing and discovering corruption whether that be a malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance.

How many hours a week working cases does it take to be a "good" law enforcement officer?

I don’t know that an officer can be defined as good or bad by a measurement of hours working cases. There are many different types of cases and levels of responsibility associated with them. A jail deputy may only work a case when he sees an inmate bring in contraband or engage in a jail house policy violation. A Patrol Deputy may work cases that are not criminal in nature and require service only and he would refer an unsolved felony case to a detective for more detailed and time consuming investigation. A major case detective could spend an entire week working one homicide case while a burglary and theft detective may be working 15 cases concurrently during any given 40 hour week.

How many days off per year should the officeholder of this position take to learn (seminars & workshops) or teach (give educational or motivational talks) or network with other county officials?

I think it would be reasonable for the Sheriff to attend 2-3 per year. The Sheriff’s Association has an annual training conference as does the FBINA, LEMIT, and the Texas Police Association. Training conferences for homeland security and domestic preparedness also prove beneficial. Most of these conferences are three or four days long and some are offered locally or in state. I think it would be highly beneficial for the Sheriff to present at professional training conferences to allow other jurisdictions to glean information from a county that is applying good law enforcement practices using conservative principles. The Sheriff is a networker by trade and if presented with good opportunities, he may spend the better part of several weeks in training spread throughout the year. This also begets training hours required by the law enforcement governing body, TCOLE.

What have you done to prepare for serving in this role?

I have prepared every day of my career for the next step. I have always taken on responsibility and used initiative to expand my experiences. My work history is as diverse as our Sheriff’s Office and I have held every rank and worked in virtually every aspect of the MCSO. I have held training, supervision, mid-management, and full division management roles in a wide variety of divisions. I know what it takes to be a successful manager and leader and I am experienced and ready for the next step in my career. I not only have the education, but I have the intelligence, personality, and decision making ability to succeed as Sheriff.

Who is endorsing you and what is their relationship to you?

I expect to have many endorsements as the election draws nearer. Dozens of elected officials and community leaders have told me they support my candidacy and I know of none that are not. I am endorsed by incumbent Sheriff Tommy Gage and nationally known Sheriff (Ret.) Richard Mack of Graham County, AZ who is also the founder of the Constitutional Sheriff and Peace Officer

What are the top 3 areas where the budget for this office needs to be adjusted?

-More comprehensive analysis of discretionary budget needs and an increased internal scrutiny of budget justifications. The budget for the Sheriff’s Office is highly personnel driven. There is little discretionary budget as compared to the vast majority of the budget spent on personnel salaries and benefits. Every dollar matters and waste is waste no matter the cost. We will do better with our discretionary lines by requiring the managers to justify their annual requests using zero based budgeting methods. The County uses a line item budget and will likely continue to do so; however, the internal justifications to the Sheriff and ultimately to the Court, will be solidly based on zero based principles internal to the MCSO.

-Additionally, personnel deployment will be continuously evaluated for maximum efficiency and effectiveness. I feel that the front line is where personnel should be deployed and specialized units should be minimized and their existence should be continually justified.

-We will incorporate budget items and capital outlay into a comprehensive strategic plan. Maintenance and replacement plans are not in place to anticipate or forecast needs. Replacement of expensive items that will run their life expectancy should not be left to chance, but should be planned for and included in long, mid, and short term planning. This will allow for ample time to find the best products at the best prices and reducing overhead costs such as shipping and lost efficiency through poor device performance. The MCSO has struggled in this area for items such as mobile computers, radios, video systems, and other large ticket electronics that are vital to our success in fulfilling our mission.

What is your position on taking federal money for your department?

Grant money awarded from the federal government is oftentimes a prudent method of supplementing local tax based resources. The issue is when the grant comes with reporting requirements that are inconsistent with the values of the community. My philosophy is not to chase the federal dollar to get more at all times, but to take a socially conservative approach to grant procurement. Some grants like block grants are easy to apply for and have little reporting requirements. The only requirement is that certain categories of items are what is purchased. Other examples would be for salaried positions that are mandated to be used for certain purposes and to generate specialized programs that are to be continued and generalized throughout the agency after the grant stops funding. This type of procurement is what gets agencies addicted to grant money and has their personnel doing tasks and working in units that are inconsistent with the needs of the community and the agency. As a grant writer, project manager, and project reviewer, I am experienced in many grants that are good for the agency and others that are to be avoided.

How will you improve the transparency and access to financial and other records for the public?

Freedom of Information laws dictate what records can and cannot be released. Even if I want to share details or documents from investigations, I am bound to follow guidance from the AG and CA offices. Budget information is subject to release as is procurement information. An area for improvement relates to release of crime data. We have an unreliable records management and reporting system that will soon be replaced by a new software that makes data collection and reporting much more simple and efficient, which will allow it to be shared with the public. We also have a module used for personal crime analysis that we included for purchase in the software package. This program allows for mapping of certain crimes on a public web page. It allows the public to run their own crime maps using certain available parameters. I welcome the public’s access to our financials as we spend every tax dollar as it belongs to the public not the department and purchases are justified in accordance with county purchasing policies.

What is your knowledge/opinion on Strong Cities Network?  What action would you take if the Biden administration attempts to implement it?

The Strong Cities Network is a federal program of the US Department of Justice and an initiative of the Obama administration. This initiative is typical of the federal government, which is an attempt to get local jurisdictions to leverage their close ties to the community they serve to funnel information up to the federal government. It is touted as a collaborative information exchange, but I know from experience that does not exist with the federal government. They will take information and not share any information back from any other source unless they deem it necessary; furthermore, they do not trust local law enforcement to keep data classified so the information we get is very weak. We at the local level do not need their intrusion or assistance of cities in foreign countries. We know our communities, we know how to police them, and we maintain a level of trust between the police and the public. We also work to share local information across jurisdictional lines and that does to some extent involve fusion centers and the federal government. It is positive to have a local or state clearing house for specific details that threaten national security; however, we are a country with about 18,000 police agencies. We are designed to be decentralized so as to keep a sense of community and not to have a federal law enforcement agency dictating law enforcement practices. I think first responder law enforcement should remain local in all circumstances possible and no “new world order law enforcement exchange” is necessary.

What is your position of dash/body cams & public availability of that info

As I have stated previously in MCTP meetings, we at the MCSO are a 100% video department and have been since 2002. We are an agency that welcomes public scrutiny of our actions and we routinely record our interactions with the public. It is found that the video evidence clears officers of misconduct more often than it indicates wrongdoing. Because of that familiarity with video, our department welcomes body cameras to be used in similar ways to dash cameras. We have had body cameras for specialized units that don’t use cars, such as Motors, walking deputies, bicycle deputies, etc. I personally have a civil liberty fear as these cameras will capture people inside their homes and at some of the lowest points of their lives. These videos are not intended to be captured as entertainment for the “You Tube generation” and my fear is that may end up the case. Most of these videos will be subject to release and there are those that make a living out of finding “funny police videos” and selling them to the public. We adopted a good model policy from the IACP approximately a year ago and have operated under that policy for the use, retention, and retrieval of body camera video evidence. A second concern with video evidence is the cost to store and produce these videos. Data storage is expensive and video evidence is a large file that eats up storage space. As we gather more videos, we will be required to continually spend money for more storage. We also have the need for an entire unit of non-law enforcement personnel to retrieve and edit the footage. In summary, I support the use of video by law enforcement, but have concerns on the often overlooked cost associated with it as well as the possibility of the invasion of a citizen’s private affairs.

How much of a problem is county hiring based on the "good old boy" / "loyalty to leadership" instead of one's ability to efficiently and ethically perform their tasks and functions? and what can realistically be done about it?

The MCSO is a “Part A” county civil service system that only regulates probation and discipline. Once the new census is released in 2020, we will almost assuredly move to a Sheriff’s Civil Service “Part B” that is separate from county civil service. This shift is automatic and no vote or approval is required. At that point, we will have hiring and promotion regulated by a civil service board that is separate from the Sheriff’s Office. I welcome this change and pledge to create a system through policy that will mirror the requirements by Sheriff’s civil service. The purpose of civil service is to remove or at least diminish politics at the employee level. I will create a hiring and promotional system through policy that will be a hard line that will not be broken. Standards will be set and met before hiring and promotion.