• Kyle, Lindsey square off in sheriff ‘s race in special election.
Why did you decide to run for the position?
Texas County residents deserve a sheriff who will operate the office leading by example, someone with a great work ethic, a person with high standards of integrity, one who is highly trustworthy and will operate the office with a high level of transparency. I understand these things will take time to restore. However, great things take time to build. I feel I can take the sheriff’s office to new heights with my education and leadership. I ask the citizens of Texas County to remember the badge does not make the sheriff or the office; it is the person who makes the badge and the office.
Discuss your qualifications and experience as a law enforcement officer.
I was raised in Fair Grove, which is located in northern Greene and southern Dallas counties on a large cattle farm. I graduated from Fair Grove High School in 1991; during that time I was a four-year member of FFA and an officer for two years. While living in Ozark I served as the vice president for the city committee Land for Redevelopment Area. I then attended college at Missouri State University and graduated in 2006 with a bachelor of science with an emphasis in agronomy.
I was able to participate in a program with the Missouri Department of Conservation; the program was called Volunteer Protection Program. We worked with conservation agents and assisted in patrols. In January 2007 I enrolled at Drury University in the Law Enforcement Academy. I graduated from Drury in May of 2007 with a Class A Peace Officer License.
In May of 2007 I went to work with the Buffalo Police Department. I then had the opportunity to move to the sheriff’s office. I did so and became a K9 deputy and a member of the S.W.A.T. unit. I have since obtained certification as an instructor for general law enforcement, have active school shooter training with the Missouri Sheriff’s Association, sobriety checkpoint supervisor through Missouri Southern State University, advanced shotgun instructor with the Missouri Department of Conservation and level one shotgun instructor with the National Skeet Shooting Association. I also have federal training in terrorism and protest counter measures at the Center for Domestic Preparedness.
If elected, what will be your immediate tasks and priorities for the office?
I certainly believe a proactive office is what the residents of Texas County deserve. I believe by being proactive the response time will decrease and certain opportunist crimes will decline if deputies are seen on a regular basis traveling all roads within Texas County. If elected, I plan on working to repair working relationships with all law enforcement agencies.
I feel it is important to serve all citizens of Texas County. If elected I plan on having open meetings with the public to ensure the transparency of the sheriff’s office. Also, I would like to see more deputies employed by the sheriff’s office, a higher pay schedule for all deputies without increasing taxes, work with all schools in the county to have an action plan and possibly look at the sheriff’s office obtaining K9 units.
Discuss long-term goals for the operation of the jail, dispatch and law enforcement? Do you anticipate, for the most part, keeping the current staff? Who will be your top-ranking officer?
My goals for the operation of the jail is to provide adequate training for all staff. To ensure the operations of the jail are in compliance with all state regulations. Also, to ensure all inmates are treated with respect and all records are kept accurately. I want to see the equipment in dispatch is up to date. Get proper training for everyone in dispatch so they can perform the duties of a dispatcher at a quicker pace with more accurate results.
As far as road deputies are concerned, I want them to become more proactive, more efficient at completing paper work in a timely manner, learn to treat every call with the utmost importance and to treat everyone with respect. I feel as law enforcement officers we should be held at a higher standard, therefore all deputies need to realize this and set examples for the citizens of Texas County to follow. Yes, I anticipate on keeping all staff members. As far as who will be the top-ranking deputy, I encourage all who are qualified to apply for this position. After interviewing all applicants I will make a decision. The ranks for road deputies will include: one chief deputy, one lieutenant and I would want a sergeant on each shift. The ranks for the jail will include: one lieutenant and a sergeant for each shift.
The department has been engulfed in turmoil since the indictment and arrest of the former county sheriff and a deputy. How will you restore trust concerning the operations of the jail, law enforcement and dispatch?
I believe the sheriff must be a very approachable person and willing to visit with citizens at any time. I also believe published reports and open communication will restore trust with the public. If other departments such as the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri Department of Conservation and local police departments are welcomed at the sheriff’s office, I feel this will help mend working relationships with these departments and show the public we have nothing to hide.