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BISBEE — Sheriff Larry Dever is facing opposition on two fronts in the upcoming election — from Bill Cloud, a fellow Republican, and from Norman Bradley, a Democratic candidate.
Cloud, 39, and Dever, 56, will seek their party’s nomination during the primary on Sept. 2. That winner will go up against Bradley, 65, in the general election on Nov. 4.
Dever, who is currently in his third term as sheriff, said his 12 years as sheriff and his 20 years prior as a deputy create a “pretty wide gap” between him and Cloud.
“I think Billy is passionate about his desire to get voted into the office. I think he is sincere in his desires. I think he is severely uninformed and misdirected in a lot of the things he claims he can and wants to do,” Dever said.
  
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“I frankly think I have the same enthusiasm, drive and passion for providing service and doing the job right, which are all characteristics that my opponent has, but on top of that I have layered on years and years of experience on what works and doesn’t work, and I won’t have to be wasting time chasing my tail around trying to figure it out,” he continued.
Dever has outlined his “Top 5 issues that matter most” on his Web site, as well as provided background about himself and allows a link for questions to be asked.
Cloud also is taking his campaign seriously. He resigned from his position as a state police detective in order to run for sheriff. He also has a Web site that features his background, positions and an ask-the-candidate feature, and he is holding regular events to let members of the public meet him.
Cloud said it’s always “a challenge” to try to unseat an incumbent like Dever. But he said Dever has been in office for “12 very long years” and “it’s time for a change” and “it’s time to get him out of there.”
“Larry is right, he has had 32 years in the sheriff’s department,” Cloud said. “People talk about his experience as sheriff, but he has had one year of experience 12 times. He hasn’t done anything different. He hasn’t moved the department forward. So it’s not 12 years of experience. It’s one year of experience 12 different times. As far as moving the department forward, he has moved it backwards in many different areas, and I am going to reverse that.”
Each of the candidates recently received a list of issue-driven questions from the Herald/Review. Dever and Cloud submitted responses. Bradley said he decided not to give answers at this time in the race because he does not have an opponent in the Democratic party who is vying for the party’s nomination.
Once either Cloud or Dever gets the Republican party’s nomination in the primary, Bradley plans to shift his campaign into “high gear” and he will start to actively participate in the race and try to beat his opponent in the general election.
Bradley has a Web site, but it is not active. Lately, he has been spending his time talking to people and groups and listening to their thoughts and ideas regarding the issues.
“It is campaigning, but it is not campaigning against any individual. I am basically campaigning, not against anything, but for my philosophy of law enforcement,” Bradley said.
Cloud said he is prepared to beat Dever in September and then go “head to head” against Bradley in November.
Dever sees another possibility.
“As far as Norm, he is frankly sitting back hoping that (Cloud and I) will get punch-drunk from a battle that will somehow weaken both of us, making either one of us vulnerable to his efforts,” he said.
HERALD/REVIEW reporter Jonathon Shacat can be reached at 515-4693 or by e-mail at jonathon.shacat@bisbeereview.net.
CANDIDATE CAPSULES
Today we begin two weeks of candidates’ answers to our questions on a variety of issues.
CANDIDATE Q&A’S COMING UP
• Today: Cochise County sheriff
• Monday: Bisbee mayor
• Tuesday: Bisbee City Council
• Wednesday: Cochise County
Board of Supervisors, District 1
Norman “Norm” K. Bradley
Sheriff candidate, Democrat
BIOGRAPHY
• Age: 65
• How long have you lived in the area: Resident of Benson, Zip Code area 85602. Resident of the area for 18 years.
• Family: Wife, Joyce; three children
• Education: Attended Mesa Community College and did correspondence courses with the University of Maryland for the equivalent of two years.
• Employment history: Currently under contract for consulting with law enforcement/homeland security and intelligence.
• Community affiliations: International Associations of Chiefs of Police, Airborne Law Enforcement Officer Association, Fraternal Order of Police, Air Smuggling Investigator’s Association
• Previous offices held: None, but previously ran for Cochise County sheriff in 2004.
• Contact: Phone: (520) 586-9685, Web site: normbradleyforsheriff2008.com
Q&A
Bradley decided not to answer the Herald/Review’s issue-driven questions at this point in the election.
Bill Cloud
Sheriff candidate, Republican
BIOGRAPHY
• Age: 39
• How long have you lived in the area: Sierra Vista resident (near Hereford, 85650). Resident of area for: 21 years, with a two-year assignment outside Cochise County for the military.
• Family: Wife, Shelly; three children
• Education: Some college, numerous police supervision and management training courses.
• Employment history: Worked as a state police detective from 1999 until 2008, when state and federal laws required he resign to run for the position of Cochise County sheriff. Served as the supervisor for a narcotics unit in Cochise County. From 1993 to 1999 he was an Arizona Department of Public Safety officer working in Cochise County. From 1991 to 1993 worked full time for the Arizona National Guard in the Joint Counter Narcotics Task Force (this task force was formed to assist law enforcement agencies in the accomplishment of their missions). From 1987 to 1991 served on active duty with the U.S. Army at Fort Knox, Ky.; Fort Benjamin Harrison, Ind.; Fort Campbell, Ky. (101st Airborne Division); and Fort Huachuca. During tenure with the military, worked in personnel management, finance and personnel administration.
• Community affiliations: Huachuca’s (Sierra Vista), Perfect Ashlar F&AM (Bisbee), Eastern Star (Bisbee), Gideons (Douglas Camp)
• Previous offices held: None.
• Contact: Phone (520) 678-1050, e-mail to bill@billcloudsheriff2008.com, or at the Web site www.billcloudsheriff2008.com
Q&A
Why are you running for sheriff?
I believe it is way beyond time for a change in the position of sheriff. Cochise County deserves a sheriff who is engaged in the performance of their constitutional duties and who has the energy and enthusiasm to take the department into the future with thoughtful advanced planning. I believe the person who is elected to serve as the sheriff needs to ensure the will of the taxpayers are being met while maintaining a high degree of professionalism and integrity.
Cochise County deserves a sheriff who will work with the elected members of the Cochise County Board of Supervisors (especially in this recessionary climate) to accomplish the mission and goals of the sheriff’s department.
I will work with the federal government to address the issue of illegal immigration and work with them to reduce and eliminate the impact upon Cochise County. I will use existing laws to provide necessary deterrents for those wishing to enter the United States through Cochise County.
How would you effectively use manpower to cover the county?
We need to ensure the department has less layers of management. The current staffing shows 23 percent of sworn enforcement positions are in supervision and management. We can’t afford to have that many positions removed from the working ranks.
Patrol areas should be realigned to maximize coverage for the unincorporated areas of the county. For example, if the Sierra Vista patrol district were to be split into “beat” or assigned patrol areas, Whetstone, Fry Town and Hereford/Palominas would have better coverage and shorter response times. This would provide overlapping coverage to the surrounding patrol districts. These patrols also will be bolstered by the cadre of Ranger Deputies.
The Ranger Deputies don’t all have to have sworn personnel. Some will be used to handle more routine calls (such as service of civil papers, accepting reports of past occurred crimes and administrative support). This will allow the full-time employees have to accomplish their assigned jobs.
I will utilize the “morning report” system to analyze where current “hot spots” of criminal activity are occurring and adjust staffing needs accordingly. This would be modeled after the Comstat program being effectively used around the United States to maximize resource allocation in combating the criminal element.
How would you work to supplement the budget for the department?
I will continue to renew the current grants (which are carry-over from previous administrations) while seeking out additional grant funding sources.
I will fight to have the current Border Alliance Group narcotics task force grant (JAG) renewed at 100 percent of the current level (The current grant is scheduled to be cut by 68 percent effective Dec. 31, 2008).
I will reduce the cost of housing prisoners in the Cochise County Jail by implementing “tent city” style jails (on a smaller scale than the one in Maricopa County and the ones being utilized by the Arizona Department of Corrections).
I will ask the Cochise County Board of Supervisors to use their authority to impose a $5 surcharge on all civil fines and a $20 surcharge on all criminal charges going through the Cochise County courts. Eighty-four percent of all money collected by the Cochise County courts goes to the state government. With my proposal, we will be able to keep some of this money working for our law enforcement efforts. In effect, the people committing the crimes will be paying for improved law enforcement services without being an additional burden upon taxpayers of Cochise County.
What is your position on the following issues: illegal immigration, gangs and illegal drugs?
• Illegal Immigration: We must cooperate with federal agencies and use existing state laws to provide maximum deterrents for those wishing to break our laws. While illegal aliens may be responsible for 4 percent of the crimes being reported in Cochise County, 100 percent of everyting they do while in the United States is illegal!
• Gangs: We will continue to participate in the state gang task force and when possible, provide additional manpower. The current resurgence of the criminal street gangs is a byproduct of previous enforcement successes. Ten years ago the state gang task force was extremely successful in getting convictions to the point some believed there no longer was a problem. These gang members have emerged from their prisons more intent on continuing their criminal activity.
• Drugs: I will work with the Board of Supervisors and City Council members throughout Cochise County to rebuild the Border Alliance Group Task Force. With the exception of one, all cities have removed their personnel from the task force in recent years, and I will rebuild these partnerships to ensure we are addressing drug issues throughout Cochise County.
How do you propose dealing with tracking sexual predators and domestic violence intervention?
• Tracking sexual predators: I believe we can partner with private enterprise in keeping the tracking of these individuals current along with the public notifications to the neighborhoods in which they choose to reside.
• Domestic violence intervention: I will partner with those in the counseling profession to provide additional and ongoing training to sheriff’s department personnel in the proper handling of these situations.
I will work with the professional counselors to educate the public about the counseling and intervention resources available that might help those in the situation remove themselves prior to escalation of law enforcement’s involvement.
What are your goals if elected as sheriff?
I will implement long-range planning for all areas of the sheriff’s department. The type of planning that is necessary for long-term success in accomplishing the mission. This type of planning ensures actions taken benefit Cochise County and not the current occupant of position of sheriff.
I will implement use of tent style jails to reduce costs. I will work with the Board of Supervisors in long-range planning for a permanent jail facility. Reported cost of a new jail is 25 to 35 million dollars. The main jail facility was built in 1985 with a projected effective usage of 20 years. Advance planning for jail expansion or new construction should have begun in 2003 (When the economy was in a “boom cycle” and funding would have been more readily available).
I will establish a regional law enforcement training center that will be made available for all law enforcement agencies in Cochise County. This can be accomplished with little to no cost to the Cochise County taxpayers.
I will restore the integrity and use of the merit system. Recruiting, hiring and training new employees is expensive.
I will work toward the goal of rebuilding the Border Alliance Group narcotics task force.
Larry Dever
Sheriff incumbent, Republican
BIOGRAPHY
• Age: 56
• How long have you lived in the area: Resident of St. David for entire life, except for college
• Family: Wife, Nancy; six children
• Education: Attended University of Arizona, Brigham Young University and San Diego State with emphasis on English and criminal justice.
• Employment history: Currently is sheriff, serving in third term; previously was a deputy sheriff for 20 years.
• Community affiliations: National Sheriff’s Association Board of Directors, Legislative Affairs Committee, chairman, Immigration Subcommittee; Arizona Sheriff’s Association, past president; Western States Sheriff’s Association member; International Association of Chiefs of Police member; National Association of Search and Rescue member; Republican Party, Arizona, member; National Rifle Association member; Rotary International, Sierra Vista Noon Club; Greater Sierra Vista Area Chamber of Commerce; Arizona Peace Officers Memorial Board member; Arizona High Intensity Drug Trafficking Executive Committee member; Southwest Border Sheriff’s Coalition, secretary; Boy Scouts of America, counselor.
• Previous offices held: Sheriff
• Contact: Phone: (520) 720-4469, Web site: www.sheriffdever2008.com, and e-mail: larryadever@msn.com
Q&A
Why are you running for sheriff?
I have served the people of Cochise County as a law enforcement officer for 32 years, 12 as their sheriff. I have the knowledge, experience and vision to continue to carry forward as its chief law enforcement officer, helping to preserve the peace and provide for the security and welfare of our citizens. I know how to get it done and have demonstrated such over the past 32 years. And frankly, I’m just not through yet. Compare my qualifications and vision with the other candidates. You will find no comparison.
How would you effectively use manpower to cover the county?
While we continue to be understaffed, the technological and interoperability advances we have made over the past 12 years have vastly enhanced our response capability. I will continue to seek funding to add critically needed resources to bolster the number of boots on the ground and to reduce and simplify administrative responsibilities of field personnel. This is a huge county and we have been on a course that amplifies our limited resources and will continue to do so. Continued growth of volunteers, such as our Sheriff’s Assist Team will be vital to enabling deputies to be more readily available and strategically deployed. The recent acquisition of mobile data computers in our patrol vehicles has effectively resulted in a manpower increase by decreasing the amount of time our deputies have to spend going to the stations to access information and to write reports. Deputies can now write reports in the field, as well as access an assortment of databases from their vehicle to enable them to be both more efficient and more effective.
How would you work to supplement the budget for the department?
Under my administration, we have brought more that $22 million into the county coffers to supplement and support our law enforcement efforts. I will continue to aggressively leverage my experience and contacts to seek additional funds, as necessary. A very recent example is a grant that we have received, courtesy of the 100 Club, for $20,000 earmarked for the purchase of additional Tasers. These funds will allow the county to spend their $20,000 elsewhere while the Sheriff’s Office continues to receive the equipment and tools that we need. With continued calls for budget reduction from the state and county, fiscal responsibility and budget control and creativity are a must, something I have proven to do effectively during my years in office and will continue to do.
What is your position on the following issues: illegal immigration, gangs and illegal drugs?
Everyone who breaks the law should be held accountable. Until the federal government fulfills its responsibility to secure our borders, Cochise County residents will continue to suffer the consequences. My deputies will continue to work aggressively with our federal partners to locate illegals and to identify smugglers to see that they are prosecuted. I will continue to leverage my influence as member of the National Sheriff’s Association Board of Directors to pressure Congress for changes in policies and funding that will improve current conditions. Also, as chair of the Immigration Subcommittee, I will continue the practice of bringing decision makers to the “front” for a first hand experience and to offer testimony before Congress regarding the issues.
Gangs: We have a deputy assigned to the gang task force and have a grant for “Safe Streets” that both work diligently in gang activity abatement. Methamphetamine addiction is rampant. Three years age, we retooled our drug task force to concentrate on meth and have seen significant success. This battle is far from won and we’ll continue to partner with our federal counterparts to eradicate this problem. We will continue to support rural schools in the county with specific gang/drug problems and be proactive in addressing these issues.
How do you propose dealing with tracking sexual predators and domestic violence intervention?
We have a full-blown sexual predator tracking process in place. It is aggressive and effective in identifying, locating and registering sexual predators. As required by law we then use our Sheriff’s Assist Team to post and notify communities of their presence. This is another valuable resource brought to the citizens of Cochise County through grant funding. Ensuring that neighborhoods are informed of the presence of sex offenders in the area, in accordance with the law, can only serve to keep our communities safer.
Domestic violence events almost always have roots in social breakdown. Substance abuse is the most common cause and law enforcement clearly has a role to play in prevention by working to control illegal substance distribution. Our primary efforts in this arena, however, have been and will continue to be to work with the many social skills and abuse education agencies and groups around the county. These seem to be the most effective in violence prevention. Also, facilitating sanctuary and support for victims is an important role we play in consequence mitigation.
What are your goals if elected as sheriff?
One, to continue to pursue resolution of the border situation. I have worked tirelessly on this mess for the past 10 years. While we have seen significant progress, there is yet much to be done on the ground and in the political arena.
Second, reign in the out of control methamphetamine problem. This bane of society must be attacked at many levels, law enforcement being one. We’ll continue to work with health, education and social entities to mitigate its effects.
Third, be fiscally responsible as a steward of taxpayers money while still accomplishing our mission. We face difficult economic challenges, not for the first time. My management and leadership experience will help us work through this.
Fourth, continue to work to recruit and retain quality personnel. Technology is a great force multiplier, but nothing can substitute for highly trained, motivated and experienced employees.
Fifth, provide 24/7 active patrol deployment countywide, reduce response time in rural locations and maintain the quality of life our citizens deserve and expect. I have identified the five issues that I believe are most crucial to the welfare of our community. They are posted on my Web site at www.sheriffdever2008.com, and I welcome your questions and comments.
Brian wrote on Aug 5, 2008 11:14 AM: