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

No

 

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

1. Montgomery County is at a pivotal point in growth with an opportunity to bring in new leadership to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. Being the 7th fastest growing county in the United States, Montgomery County is seeing an influx of new international businesses, medical facilities, religious entities and a more diversified population. This growth calls for a leader that has the experience in handling law enforcement with a global perspective not just someone that has sat behind the desk of one department for the past 20 years.  I have proven leadership, both tactically and administratively, and more than qualifying experience to become the leader of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. I will proactively handle all the issues that the county faces today and in the future.
2.  As a Montgomery County resident, I am tired of elected officials putting their self-interests before the citizens. The job of our elected officials is to serve all of the citizens equally and not be beholden to special interest groups or other county officials. I have been a public servant for more than 30 years in law enforcement on various levels, and I will continue my public service as Sheriff putting the citizens first and ensuring that the Sheriff’s Office as a whole embodies that same attitude. I want to operate a department that is accountable and transparent; and a department that partners with the citizens to make the county a safe place to live, work, pray and play.
3.  As Chief of Police for the City of Montgomery, I manage my department by challenging and giving ownership to the officers that report to me. I feel that my job as Chief is to work for my officers by providing them with the proper equipment, training and education to be successful police officers and to give the community the best service for their tax dollars. Since coming to the City of Montgomery, I have improved the department in morale, productivity and community outreach. I want to bring THAT to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. I want to make the Sheriff’s Office THE place to work in law enforcement; and I want to improve the quality of work and productivity for the benefit of the citizens.

Isaiah 6:8 

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”

I do not see any potential conflicts of interest.

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

When comparing experience and qualifications for this Sheriff’s race, I think you will conclude that I have the most experience and leadership for the position. I have more than 30 years of law enforcement and security experience beginning in the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office as a Reserve Deputy to retiring as a Special Agent with the United States Secret Service to being Chief of Police for the City of Montgomery. I not only have law enforcement experience, I am a small business owner and was previously in the private sector working as a Security Representative for a major international oil company. All of this experience combined with my education gives me a better understanding of the impact law enforcement has on a personal level, community level and on the business environment. I have experience: in the jail; on the streets; in dispatch; as a criminal investigator; as an administrator; working with law enforcement agencies around the state, country and the world; as a tactical agent on one of the country’s most elite teams; as a rescue swimmer; protecting the nation’s and world leaders; and as an instructor. I currently hold a Master Peace Officer certification with the State of Texas as well as many other industry certifications. I am not only educated having graduated from the University of Houston, but I have real hands on experience and lead by example. Please see my attached resume and bio.

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

1. Changing the attitude and direction of the Sheriff’s Office.  I want to bring a positive attitude to the Sheriff’s Office where all employees can come to work and concentrate on doing their best at their jobs, not having to worry about being micromanaged with the threat of losing their jobs on a daily basis. I want to work with all the employees to get a better understanding of what they need to get the job done correctly, efficiently, professionally and with a good attitude. The Sheriff’s Office needs a fair impartial promotion process and a fair process for jail deputies transferring to patrol.
2.  Putting a plan in place for what to do with an antiquated jail that is structurally falling apart and having trouble complying with the state standards as well as addressing the mental health issues of inmates.
3. Improving the overall staffing of the department that will be able to concurrently answer calls for service, patrol the streets, investigate and solve crimes, conduct training and educational opportunities while allowing staff time off by looking for budget efficiencies and priorities as well as innovative ways to manage employee schedules to allow for more staffing coverage.

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

1. Improve the closure rate of open cases in the Detective Division and improve the response time of the detectives to the victims (improve customer service). Currently, the Detective Division has more cases than it can realistically handle given the shortage of manpower; and many cases go unsolved. I would like to institute a Criminal Intelligence Group where Criminal Research Specialists will assist detectives in using Link Analysis and other resources to assist in identifying suspects to solve cases. I would also have patrol deputies investigate all misdemeanor crimes and have all felony crimes investigated by detectives.
2. Improve response time of deputies to calls for service on a daily basis. This can be achieved by having the proper manpower per shift of trained and experienced deputies.
3. Improve communication and cooperation between the Sheriff’s Office with all of the local police departments, Constable Offices, Fire and EMS, state and federal law enforcement agencies and surrounding county law enforcement agencies. Currently, there is no way to communicate directly between the Sheriff’s Office and Conroe PD as well as Fire and EMS. Three of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Districts touch the Conroe PD jurisdiction and the only means of communication is through dispatch. The situation between the Sheriff’s Office and Fire/EMS is worse.

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

I believe that the United States and Texas Constitutions are not living documents and that the only way changes to the Constitutions should be made are through the amendment process only. I do not believe that Supreme Court Justices should be able to change the meaning of the Constitutions by their rulings as seen in the recent ruling on gay marriage. Therefore, I would be considered an Originalist.

What is the job of a Constable? 

The Sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer in the county. The Sheriff’s responsibilities include criminal investigations, traffic enforcement, and operation of the jail, including the safekeeping of inmates and operation of the jail commissary.  The Sheriff also provides security for the courthouse, including the county and district courts, assists with service of subpoena and other process and accepts bail for prisoners in his custody. The Sheriff may conduct sales of forfeited property, property being sold at auction for failure to pay property taxes and property sold to satisfy judgments in civil cases.

As with all elected county officials, the Sheriff has ultimate authority over the operations of the office, including the authority to hire and fire personnel and direct their daily activities. The Sheriff also has authority to determine how to use all other resources allocated to the office during the budget process.

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

Lake Conroe Area Republican Women, Northshore Republican Women, Montgomery County Republican Women, The Woodlands Republican Women, Magnolia Republican Women, East Montgomery County Republican Women, Montgomery County Republican Party, Ike Fluellen, Mark Bosma, Gary Louie, Rob Harmon, Gene Deforest, JD Lambright, Brett Ligon, Montgomery County Tea Party, Texas Patriot PAC, Eagle Forum, Ted Cruz, Mitt Romney

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

I would encourage all voters to take the opportunity to speak with each candidate on a one-on-one basis. I would encourage voters to attend public forums and debates to see a comparison of candidates in person. Meet and Greets are also another valuable tool to see candidates. Due diligence of candidates is a must by researching open records sources, websites, social media, voting records, media sources, and references. It is also important for average voters to ask questions about the office the candidate is seeking to get a better understanding of whose experience is best suited for the position. Lastly, voters need to be wary of taking advice from political groups that endorse candidates for money or special interests such as the Fake Tea Party.

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?

I think the possibility for corruption resides in the bidding process for county contracts and the awarding and maintenance of the contracts. I plan to have honest bidding processes that includes multiple bids and the auditing of the bids and contracts. I believe in complete transparency and accountability with regards to money and evidence, as well as establishing open lines of communication with Internal Affairs and providing ethics training within the department.

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

A good law enforcement officer works his or her 40 hour workweek and will put in overtime if needed and allowed by the agency.

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 consider the time a Sheriff takes to learn , teach and network as described in the question to be a job responsibility and should be paid as part of his function as Sheriff.

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

My lifetime experience in law enforcement along with closely working with the US Military to understand leadership and sacrifice has prepared me for serving my community in this role

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

Texas Fraternal Order of Police (member), Gulf Coast SEAL Team Association (professional working relationship), former colleagues, clients and friends

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

1. Staffing level – I want to improve the staffing level within the department to ensure that all areas are adequately manned for the size of the county and the population.
2. Pay scale of employees – In order to retain good employees in the Houston/Galveston/Conroe Metroplex, the County must consider bringing the salaries of Sheriff’s Office emploees to a more competitive range in order compete with other law enforcement agencies in this area.
3. Jail Funding – With the increase in population and crime in Montgomery County, jail funding will need to be addressed in order to maintain quality staff, proper care and housing for an increasing number of inmates.

   In order to achieve this, cutting fat will be a priority such as cutting take home vehicles to unnecessary employees. Looking at the budget spending over the fiscal year to see how much is spent at the end and on what will also be a priority.

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

I believe there are certain circumstances in which federal grant money is beneficial to the county as a whole. However, the parameters surrounding the acceptance of federal grant money must be considered so there is no infringement of constitutional rights on the people of the county and no turning over local control to the federal government.

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

While most of the financial records and other records are public and can be accessed, I would improve transparency by hosting town halls and other public meetings to visit with the public about what the Sheriff’s Office is doing and how we are doing it.

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

I believe in local control as each community is unique, whether it is the culture, the economic status, or political leanings. Strong Cities Network is just another attempt to bring socialism to the United States through this UN mandate. I am against it and will not implement it.

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

My department currently uses dash cams and has made the video footage from cases available to the public through the Freedom of Information Act. The dash cams serve both the public and the officers.  It is a tool for law enforcement to use in the course of business. I am reserving my position on body cams until the state legislature implements a mandate on the required use of body cams. Again, the body cams serve both the public and the officers; however, there are many factors that need to be considered when mandating the use of body cam video. Factors include but are not limited to: the storage of the video footage – how long is it stored, where is it stored, how is it stored, what is the cost of storing video footage, etc.; implementing standard operating procedures for the use of the cameras – when does recording start, when can the officer turn off the camera, training for the officer, etc.; and last but not least, everyone assumes that the video shows everything that the officer sees, but it does not unless it is positioned on the head and not the torso. 

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?

Anytime someone is hired based on the “good old boy” system rather than on merit, it creates a problem within the organization and effects morale of the department. From my understanding, current hiring procedures within the Sheriff’s Office is inconsistent and favors those that are loyal to leadership or are part of the good old boy system. Job descriptions are often written for a specific person in mind and changed based on job opening to job opening. Good job evaluations and assignments are also contingent on the deputy’s status with the current leadership. As Sheriff, I would set a new standard using best practices to create consistency and fair opportunities across the department. Standard Operating Procedures would be reevaluated and improved as needed.