Sheriff candidates prioritize staffing, training and interagency partnerships

The sheriff’s contest featured three candidates who framed public safety as a combination of people, training and interagency cooperation.

Darren Wright, a former state trooper, said he would bring servant leadership, build partnerships with commissioners and external agencies, and focus on culture change inside the sheriff’s office to improve retention and morale. He emphasized proactive policing and said accountability and transparency must replace politics in the office.

Billy Parker stressed being proactive, the need for additional training, and use of a task force model to address narcotics and multi-jurisdictional crime. Brian Harbour highlighted experience across state and federal levels, said he would fight for step raises, incentives and retirement/benefits to retain deputies, and pledged cooperation with federal agencies such as ICE where appropriate.

All candidates identified recruiting and pay as core problems: speakers said deputies often take second jobs, patrol shifts are understaffed, and the office is not competitive with neighboring agencies. Several candidates urged the county commissioners to restore step raises, reinstate retirement/benefits after retirement and consider non-tax options such as grant funding. They also emphasized legal and constitutional caution in cooperating with federal actions but supported partnership when appropriate.

None of the candidates proposed immediate staff cuts; instead, each sought to present concrete retention proposals (step increases, competitive pay packages, clearer career pathways) and promised stronger oversight and training within the department if elected.