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BISBEE — Incumbent Cochise County Sheriff Larry Dever and challenger Norman Bradley agree that changes need to be made to the Sheriff’s Office, but they disagree on what types of changes are necessary.
Dever, 56, pointed out that nearly three years ago his office submitted a strategic plan to the Board of Supervisors covering subjects such as increased staffing, improved compensation, expansion of law enforcement resources and a broader scope of directed activity throughout the county.
He said the Sheriff’s Office needs improved and enhanced staffing and additional resources. During his three terms as sheriff, his office has brought in more than $22 million in grants, and he intends to continue to seek that funding. He said law enforcement is “a dynamic business,” adding the objectives and goals remain constant, but the methodology adjusts and reflects the changes in available resources, such as grants and strategies.
Bradley, 65, said he wants the Sheriff’s Office to be “a full-service organization.” He intends to provide the same level of protection and support to the rural communities as currently is provided to the fringe areas of the metropolitan areas.
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He explained that thefts, assaults and burglaries are common in metropolitan communities. In rural areas, on the other hand, the crimes are more property-related, such as theft of metals, farm implements, irrigation equipment and tools. He thinks deputies need training on how to handle investigations of those crimes.
Bradley also proposes getting deputies “refresher” training on dealing with topics such as evidence collection and preservation, photography, follow-up skills, homicides and explosives ordinances. He suggested setting up a cross-training program with Pima County Sheriff’s Office or Tucson Police Department.
He also stressed the need to simultaneously work to change the attitude of members of the public and personnel in the Sheriff’s Office. He said many residents have “distrust” and “apathy” regarding the department’s capability. Leadership mentoring would help deputies understand that they are supported when doing their duties.
Dever said his office works with the U.S. Border Patrol regarding the issues of illegal immigration and smuggling. Federal agents also continue to be assigned to the drug task force to work on tactical and strategic law enforcement efforts, as well as intelligence sharing.
The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office was recently awarded more than $470,000 through the Stonegarden initiative, Dever said. The money, which should be released in October, is designated for work with Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement to reduce and mitigate the effects of illegal immigration in Cochise County.
“We were the largest recipient of everybody included in this in the state of Arizona in terms of the money award,” he said. “That would not have happened if we could not demonstrate that we have a plan and we have a process in place to continue our efforts in working closely with the federal agencies for that purpose.”
Bradley said the role and responsibility of the border belongs to U.S. Border Patrol. He thinks the county needs to work better with that agency. He said agents and deputies get along well at the field level, but there is less interest at the management level.
He proposed creating interagency agreements between the Border Patrol and Sheriff’s Office that identify how officials can work together. He said deputies can offer agents help with intelligence and geographical knowledge, as well as support by responding to scenes. In turn, the Border Patrol can help the Sheriff’s Office by communicating information, such as observations of the transport of stolen vehicles to Mexico, or the locations of checkpoints so deputies can monitor the peripheral areas for illegal activity like trespassing.
In early September, Dever beat challenger Bill Cloud in the Republican primary. Bradley, a Democrat, ran unopposed in the primary.
The general election will be held Nov. 4.
Herald/Review reporter Jonathon Shacat can be reached at 515-4693 or by e-mail at jonathon.shacat@bisbeereview.net.
Norman “Norm” K. Bradley
Sheriff candidate, Democrat
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: Since July 2004, he has provided homeland defense and security management and operational consulting services; from January 2001 to July 2004 he was director of National Counter Drug Center; from January 1997 to January 2001 he served as undersheriff of Cochise County Sheriff’s Office; from January 1995 to January 1997 he provided management and operational consulting services to foreign, federal, state, county and city law enforcement agencies; from January 1993 to January 1995 he was staff director for U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence; from 1979 to 1992 he held several positions with U.S. Customs Service-Department of Treasury; from 1975 to 1979 he was an Arizona Department of Public Safety highway patrolman; and from 1970 to 1972 he was a resident deputy for Yavapai County Sheriff’s Department.
• Military service: Served eight years active duty in the U.S. Air Force, two years in Arizona Air National Guard, and two years in Arizona Army National Guard.
• 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: bradleyforsheriff2008.com.
Why are you running for sheriff?
According to news reports, the state is going to double in population in the next 25 to 30 years. We need vision-minded leaders who have the experience to be able to lead the county into the future. Because of my years of experience in executive leadership, I know how to lead the sheriff’s department into the future and improve our quality of life and that of our children and grandchildren.
I believe the sheriff has a profound impact on the quality of life that we as citizens should be enjoying. Over the last eight years I have seen a severe decline in the moral of deputies and their ability to adequately respond to the needs of citizens due to lack of training and sufficient personnel assigned to outlying areas. This led to a kidnapping and assault of a woman in her home because of 24 to 48 hours response times. With 35 years of law enforcement experience, which includes 18 years in executive positions, I find this unacceptable. I will make the necessary changes to accomplish effective management of the department’s resources and personnel. My experience will not only allow me to deal with current challenges but gives me the ability to lay a foundation for our future.
How would you effectively use manpower to cover the county?
The current districts are set up primarily for administrative purposes, not for operational requirements. The support of these administrative changes required additional lieutenants and sergeants beyond those required for operations. This equates to 23 percent of sworn personnel in the department falling into management and supervisory rolls.
The focus of the department needs to be returned to an operational driven philosophy. The number of districts needs to be reduced and realigned to mirror the districts served by the Board of Supervisors. Supervisors and Command staff requirements will be reduced and those positions will be returned to operational field positions.
I will review the actual call load for all areas to determine manpower allocations throughout the county. This will be based on each areas requirements rather than on politics.
Interagency agreements that fund deputy positions such as Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Services, Border Alliance Group and Gang Unit need to be revisited with and eye toward expansion.
Special grant programs like Stonegarden, which pays for deputy’s overtime, must be actively pursued with vigor and not just because of political pressure in an election year.
How would you work to supplement the budget for the department?
I have already demonstrated my ability to secure additional funding when I was undersheriff of Cochise County. I brought in the funding for 17 new positions from COPS grants, which is a federal program. Even though the funding was available through the grant, the current sheriff failed to fill seven of the 17 positions. I secured an additional $750,000 of extra funding through High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program. This money was secured with the cooperation and assistance of Congressman Jim Kolbe. I have worked with other senators and representatives on initiatives for Cochise County. I secured more than $1 million in high-tech computers, furniture and other equipment, which was offered to the current sheriff, at no cost to the county, and could have been given to any Cochise County agency, but he chose to turn it down. Other county sheriffs in Arizona readily accepted the offer, as did the Arizona Department of Public Safety. I still have the connections and ability to bring additional funds and equipment into Cochise County.
What is your position on the following issues: illegal immigration, gangs and illegal drugs?
I recognize the importance for cooperation and interoperability of all agencies involved in illegal immigration, gangs and illegal drugs. I will initiate and/or attend meetings to improve communications and interoperability with all agencies.
Illegal immigration is the primary responsibility of the U.S. Border Patrol. I will work with them to secure our border. Under my leadership deputies will be required to respond to the needs of our citizens when their property and safety is threatened. I will eliminate the current policy of transferring calls to the Border Patrol and ensure deputies respond.
• Gangs: There is a need for gang enforcement in our county. I will ensure deputies are trained to recognize and identify gang members and their illegal activities. We will also work with other agencies to ensure the safety of our citizens.
• Illegal drugs: Cochise County is the No. 1 methamphetamine county in the state due to the sheriff’s stated policy of not finding and dismantling labs because it is too costly for the county. However, I am well aware that funds are available through DEA for the dismantling and clean up of lab sites. I also will send employees to become lab certified, which has not been done in the past 12 years. By finding and dismantling labs, we will remove the open invitation to set up meth lab operations in our county.
As your sheriff I will revitalize the effectiveness of the Border Alliance Group, which has steadily declined over the past eight years. This is a multi-agency narcotics organization led by the sheriff. I will work to include agencies that have withdrawn their officers because of the group’s ineffectiveness.
How do you propose dealing with tracking sexual predators and domestic violence intervention?
The county has a complete tracking system already in place. But with lack of proper training and emphasis, I believe it has become less than adequate. With refocused training and priority, I will ensure the tracking system is 100 percent effective so that children and adults in our county will be safer than they are today.
I believe that intervention in domestic violence begins with proper training in behavioral health sciences. I will take advantage of the training that has been offered. People within the behavioral health science field have informed me that they have observed a need for this training and it has been offered free of charge. The current sheriff has not seen the need for this training. Under my leadership, all deputies will be trained to ensure their safety as well as the safety of those with whom they come in contact. We all know domestic violence is a serious situation that needs to be addressed.
What are your goals if elected as sheriff?
I will proactively work to improve the quality of life for all citizens in Cochise County. I will begin by evaluating the skills and abilities of every employee in the Sheriff’s Office. By doing this, I will be able to determine the training needs within the department and where resources can best be allocated.
Contrary to current practice, I will restore the merit system so that deputies are promoted on demonstrated knowledge, skills and abilities and by numerical ranking based on their scores (not by the good ole boy’s system).
I will immediately work with the Board of Supervisors for the expansion of the current jail, which was built 20 years ago and does not meet current needs. I have already spoken to federal agencies that are willing to help with the expansion.
Because of my executive leadership experience as the director of a national drug interdiction program, I know how to develop interoperability between the law enforcement agencies maximizing the fight against illegal immigration, gangs and drugs in our county.
Long range planning is necessary for our quality of life and preparation for our growth. To see more of my background and plans go to bradleyforsheriff2008.com.
Larry Dever
Sheriff candidate, Republican
Incumbent
• 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
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.
Wondering wrote on Oct 15, 2008 5:11 PM: