Published: October 27, 2008 11:55 am      

Jimmy Williams

The Duncan Banner emailed some questions to all the candidates running for political office that members of Stephens County will be voting on Nov. 4. What follows is this candidate's responses to these questions.



Questions for Jimmy Williams, Democrat candidate for Stephens County Sheriff:



1) What Qualifications do you have for running for Stephens County Sheriff?



I am a currently certified Oklahoma Law Enforcement Officer and have been continuously for the past 24 years. I have an advanced Law Enforcement Certification, the highest level of certification that this state offers. I have a degree in Criminal Justice and as a certified Law Enforcement Instructor I have taught at many schools and academies.



My training and experience in Law Enforcement are very diverse and covers the following areas. I have worked the street as an Officer, Field Training Officer, Field Training Supervisor, First Line Supervisor and Shift Commander. I have also worked as Range Master and Chief Firearms Instructor, Records and Property/Evidence Officer and served as Quartermaster and Fleet Manager. I later supervised each of these positions. My current position of Lieutenant over Investigations/Administration requires that I conduct and supervise ongoing Investigations. This entails working jointly with Law Enforcement at municipal, county, state, and federal levels and frequently with the media.



Throughout my career I have worked on budgeting issues at many different levels and have had the opportunity to work on personnel pay issues on the administrative side as well the officers side.



My experience, all applicable to Stephens County has prepared me to work, conduct training, organize and supervise at the Sheriffs Office and to manage the budget giving the county residents the Law Enforcement services they expect and deserve.



2) Why are you running for Stephens County Sheriff?



We all have callings in life, Mine is Law Enforcement. I have always had a strong sense of justice and in doing what is right and even as a child it bothered me to see people pick on the weak or take advantage of someone just because they could. My God and my Family are the top priorities in my life followed closely by Law Enforcement and a Law Enforcement job is the only job I ever had an interest in.



I believe that to be successful in a Law Enforcement career one has to have a strong sense of right and wrong but must also care deeply about his fellow man. Many people get into Law Enforcement for the wrong reasons or lack the determination to stick with it for the long haul. I have that care for my fellow man and have shown my determination and commitment to Law Enforcement by dedicating my entire adult life to that profession and I want to put those qualities to work for Stephens County residents.



This county is no different than any other as we deal with crimes on a daily basis however our success in dealing with these problems is determined by the professionalism and efficiency of the Stephens County Sheriffs Office. I can, with my experience and dedication bring the Sheriffs Office to the level that is required to deal with these issues and make lasting changes for the betterment of Stephens County.



3) What is the most important issue to you and how will you work to alleviate the problem if elected?



The most important issue to me is a very large and encompassing one. The first part is gaining the trust and respect of the Stephens County residents by protecting them and meeting their individual needs that can be addressed by the Sheriffs Department. The second part is in enforcing laws and responding to all calls for service no matter how great or small. This also includes utilizing community policing techniques to try and prevent crimes. The third part is following up on crimes that happen and bringing the investigations to a speedy conclusion.



This can only be accomplished by starting at the top of the Sheriffs Department and working down. I will lead by example, demonstrating professional and ethical standards and demanding that of my staff. I will make sure all employees have the skills and necessary tools to perform their jobs and will put in place procedures to accurately gauge our effectiveness.



My office will be actively involved in area communities by being visible and maintaining a presence at community events. I will work closely with local and area Law Enforcement Agencies maintaining a good working relationship and keeping an open line of communication to more effectively deal with crimes and situations that develop throughout the county.



4) What specific changes are you going to make once elected to office? Please specify at least two.



My main goal when elected is to increase the quality of services to county residents. This will be accomplished in part by two specific changes.



1. Establishing effective policies and procedures to ensure consistent response and actions by Deputies and other persons from my office. This will address not only personnel on patrol but also those in the office and jail. Employees must know what is expected from them and know that each person on the department will be expected to perform at an acceptable level. This will also help morale as employees will know that everyone will be treated the same and that the same level of professionalism is expected from each person.



2. A training program will also be developed and performed on a routine basis to provide personnel in each division with the knowledge and tools to perform their job. The Sheriff’s Department is a very diverse Law Enforcement Agency and as Sheriff I intend for each division to attain a level of proficiency and professionalism that will make Stephens County one of the premier Departments in the State.



Whether a call for service is received on the phone or in person, residents of the county can depend on my staff to provide a response that is timely, efficient and professional. I will also attend or conduct community meetings in rural areas to receive feedback and make sure my office is meeting the needs of the community.



5) In 2005, there were 401 felony charges filed in Stephens County. In 2006 there were 330. In 2007 there were 368. What will you do to help make the community safer? Is there a way to lower the number of felony charges and keep the community safe?



Keeping the community safer should in time contribute to lowering the number of felony charges. This can and under my administration will be accomplished with an increased presence of Deputies in the county. There are communities in Stephens County that have Police Departments who are charged with keeping them safe. My Department will assist them as needed whenever possible but our main focus must and will be the remainder of the county who relies on us for service and protection. My Deputies will have areas that are designated as their home district or area of responsibility and will become familiar not only with the area but the people who live there. Deputies will drive through their designated areas as often as possible but at different times so that criminals will not know when to expect them. I believe that as the Deputies and the residents of their area become more familiar with each other a situation will develop where communication between the two will assist in preventing crimes and in solving crimes when they do happen. There are times that an unmarked or inconspicuous vehicle is needed in Law Enforcement, but for the most part a professionally marked patrol vehicle that is recognizable by law-abiding citizens and criminals alike can be a deterrent. Therefore, after taking office, I will convert Sheriffs Department vehicles in an appropriate fashion.



6) There are 11 deputies currently serving in the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office. What is the ideal number of deputies serving in the sheriff’s office to do what you want to do?



Fifteen Deputies would be a good number to accomplish what I would like to do in the county. However, the number of Deputies is dependant upon factors such as the budget. I do plan to utilize other ideas to get more Deputies on the street where they are needed. I will maintain and improve the current Reserve Deputy program and utilize them when possible to further our ability to provide better service and protection to the county. I will also start a program similar to the Lawton and Duncan’s Police Departments Sentinel program, utilizing capable people that wish to volunteer their services in ways other than as a reserve Deputy. I will also utilize fully trained and capable retired Officers/Deputies that are willing to work in less than full time positions in areas such as prisoner transport/transfers and sitting in the courtrooms providing courthouse security so full time deputies can be free to work outside the courthouse. These volunteers and part time workers will also be provided adequate training and guidance and will be accountable to the same moral, ethical and professional standards as full time personnel.



A follow up question to this comes from a Duncan Banner reader.

6a) Where will you get the staff to fill the duties of the officers or will you retain those already on staff?



I will meet individually with all personnel currently at the Sheriffs Department that wish to remain and discuss my ideas about the future of the Sheriffs Department and the moral, ethical and professional standards that employees will be expected to meet. If the person wants to continue working for the Sheriffs Department and is willing to live up to those guidelines then they will remain on my staff. After elected, I will also begin to accept applications from persons interested in positions left open by expected retirements or vacancies. I will fill these positions with highly qualified people that have the same desire to provide services and protection to the residents of Stephens County as I do.