My 20 years of experience in the Baltimore County Police Department as a patrol officer gave me extraordinary experience dealing with the public and community leaders. I was required to handle a variety of different calls for service which still gives me insight on how officers should be handling calls. Also allowing me to supervise eight to ten officers while the supervisor was on leave. I also had 18 years experience as a secretary which gave me experience at handling budgets for conference.

Presently public perception toward police officers due to the recent ICE activity and dealing with people with mental health issues. Becoming the face of the sheriff's department and meeting with local leaders and departmental transparency can address the perception issues. This would also provide the opportunity to discover additional issues in communities that need to be addressed. Addressing mental health issues can be accomplished through officer training utilizing experts in the field.

Since patrol officers are first on any scene, I would examine the current budget to ensure first responders are fully equipped to respond initially to situations. I would meet with officers to see what equipment they could use to enhance their ability to complete their jobs efficiently. Also making sure equipment (vehicles, vests, computers and weapons) are replaced in a timely fashion. Money also has to be allocated for advanced training for officers.

Training can be accomplished through the yearly training requirements. In my experience role playing seems to be the most effective way for officers to absorb the information. Bring in expert speakers familiar with mental health issues to facilitate the role place scenarios would be essential. If funding can be obtained , officers could attend outside seminars to elevate their abilities to deal with a variety of mental health issues.

The sheriff's department should always continue to run warrant checks on individuals so that someone wanted on a serious warrant is not released back into the public. It should not matter who initiated the warrant. Local officers should not be recruited to accomplish civil immigration enforcement. If ICE has a criminal warrant for a subject, it would be better to have them forward it to the local jurisdictions to check for accuracy and serve, thus alleviating the need for ICE in our community.

I’m the current Carroll County sheriff and a retired captain with the state police where I served 25 years as a decorated trooper. I’ve policed this county at every level from road trooper, criminal investigator, and barrack commander to my current role as our county sheriff. My education, training, experience and desire to continue being sheriff, along with the team of deputies, commanders & civilians that I’ve built is what’s made the sheriff’s office so successful over the past 12 years.

Continuing a proactive approach to policing despite destructive legislation that supports criminals, not victims and law-abiding citizens is a challenge. I will continue to fight against legislation that puts our community safety at risk. Recruiting for law enforcement, corrections & court security is also challenging. We’ve found success by offering competitive pay & excellent benefits along with ensuring our deputies have the very best equipment, a supportive sheriff and administration.

I’ve worked hard as sheriff, along with the Board of Commissioners to ensure our deputies receive competitive pay and benefits. I’ve also secured funds to enhance the technology and equipment deputies use to keep our community safe. I’ve received grant funding to ease the burden for taxpayers in support of the body worn camera initiative and our new headquarters building. Making sure deputies have the tools and support to take care of the community is the wisest use of taxpayer dollars.

I created a new police academy & training unit to address entry level, in-service and professional development, including mental health responses. Crisis intervention & situational training exercises to work with citizens experiencing a mental health crisis are an important part of our program. I’ve partnered with the health department to implement a behavior health team of social workers that respond with law enforcement to calls where individuals are experiencing a mental health crisis.

I’ve been at the forefront of this issue locally and statewide. I implemented the 287g program in the detention center in 2024 because it is the safest most effective way to work with ICE to transfer illegal immigrants to their custody that have committed crimes locally. I will continue to work with ICE through the local detention center and refuse to allow Annapolis to hinder my ability to work with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies on matters of public safety in our county.