STEP #1- Change the entire culture of the agency by implementing a core value of customer service and procedural justice for all – both for citizens and for our Deputies

·       I will reform the agency to regain the legitimacy and trust that our county deserves.

·       We will be committed to meaningful community engagement, actively listening to gain a precise understanding of the social contract our citizens expect from the Sheriff’s Office.

·       We will conduct a complete procedure, process, policy, and complaint review by an external independent 3rd party agency. (FBI, SLED, AG’s Office, CALEA)

·       Create an independent Civilian Review Board. Include budgeting and spending in their scope.

·       Request a staffing study to get to 2.5 Deputies per 1000 residents and work with the County Council to make that staffing level the policy for the Sheriff’s Office.

·       Request a pay study/survey for Deputy pay and make the appropriate market corrections immediately.

·       Create a step and grade pay scale that is market competitive – include experience/training/retention incentives.

·       Create a Precinct System – doing this will improve service and convenience for citizens and Deputies. Have precinct buildings throughout the county that citizens can go to get help or service instead of one central office that everyone has to go to for anything they need. Provide Deputies and Commanders with offices in the field that bring customer service to residents where they live.

·       Mandate CIT Training and additional De-Escalation Training for every Deputy.

·       Partner with all of the municipal police agencies in the county to create Task Forces for intelligence, efficiency, and crime reduction. (Drug, Violent Crimes, Property Crimes, DUI)

·       Implement evidence Based Policing practices at every level.

·       Embrace Co-Production of Public Safety with true community engagement.

·       Insist on transparency within the agency as well as with the public.

·       I will ensure that every part of the county gets equal service from the Sheriff’s Office, and that every call for service is answered.

·       Create a transport division that comes into the field to transport arrestee’s to the Spartanburg County Jail which will free up patrol Deputies to spend more time in your community.

·       Launch training on and make procedural justice standard policy and procedure.

·       Implement an early warning and intervention system for Deputy performance and malfeasance.

·       Utilize modern statistical analysis to create data dashboards and heatmaps for internal resource allocation, efficiency and crime reduction.

·       I will be transparent with the County Council and our citizens by providing regular progress and status reports.