Links to specific Questions:
- What sets you apart from the other candidates?
- What are your greatest achievements?
- What are your goals for the next four years, and how will you achieve them?
- Why do people use drugs? What is the root issue?
- What are the biggest issues voters should be thinking about as they consider candidates?
- How can the voters of Hickman County support the Sheriff’s Office and the deputies?
- How would you attract the right kind of people for a Reserve Deputy Program?
- Do you have anything else you’d like to share?
Why Randal Owsley?
I could tell you about all my training and special schools, but all that wouldn’t tell you what I would do if elected. So lets get straight to the point.
Quick Bio: My family comes from the Aetna area of Hickman County. If you knew Jack DeVore, you knew my Grandfather. If you knew Lila Sue DeVore, you knew my Mother. If you Knew Leonard DeVore, you knew my Uncle. If you knew Raymond and Bobbi Grimes, you knew my Uncle and Aunt, as well as Mary Coble, and Fred and Eliane DeVore. These are my roots to Hickman County. I went to elementary school here in 1974/75. My mother then moved my brother and me to Lubbock Texas. When I was old enough I enlisted into the United States Marine Corps and was sent to San Diego Ca. After two tours in the Marine Corps, I hired on to the San Diego Marshals Office and then into the San Diego Sheriff’s Dept. After eleven years with the county of San Diego, my mother was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, so I figured I could always make money, but I couldn’t get time back. I left San Diego and came back to Hickman County. I got a job with the Nashville Metro Police Dept. Where I have worked for the last eleven years.
If elected; I would use all resources available to me to ensure the safety and security of persons and property of Hickman County.
I would ensure victim’s of property crimes would receive follow up phone calls from investigators.
I would require all new hires to sign a two year contract, that if they left the department within that two year period, they would have to reimburse the county and Sheriff’s Office for all training and equipment.
I would use sentenced low level inmates to maintain public cemeteries and public lands, as well as those sentenced to community service.
I would look into a reserve deputy program. I believe this is a great resource for the county.
I would look into a Senior Volunteer Patrol Program. Where qualified senior volunteers would be trained to patrol and observe only. To report any suspicious activity they see and to check residence’s where citizens may be on vacation. To perform welfare checks disabled citizens. There by freeing up Deputies for more serious calls for service throughout the county.
Until all SRO’s are properly trained, I would park marked Sheriff’s vehicles in front of school’s on days the current SRO’s were at a different school to give appearance of SRO activity.
I would personally go into the schools and speak to the kids about drugs, bullying, and domestic violence among teens.
I would have a mobile drug box that would be at all special events, so citizens could bring their outdated, or unused prescription drugs to drop off, so they’re not accessible to theft or abuse.
I would ensure high visibility of deputies in areas where crime and drugs are highest. High visibility in low crime areas to prevent crime. If manpower is an issue for patrol and response times, I would look into changing shifts from three 8 hour shifts to 12 hour shifts, which would consist of 0600 – 1830 (6:30 pm) A shift. B shift 1500 (3:00pm) to 03:30. C shift 1800 (6:00 pm) to 06:30. By doing this, you would have double the coverage for your peak hours when most crimes are committed.
I would attempt to stop the recidivism rate of inmates by implementing programs within the jail to help educate and prepare inmates to be productive citizens through grants.
I will ensure no citizens constitutional rights are violated by any deputy on the department. This will be done via proper training. All property crimes will be investigated period.
Patrol Deputies and Investigators will be trained in crime scene investigation not just crime scene report taking.
These are a sample of Ideas I have, and have received from speaking to citizens of the county. I believe that together we can make Hickman County a better and safer place to live and raise a family. Without community involvement NO law enforcement agency, regardless of who they are can solve crimes. So it is imperative that law enforcement get involved with the community it protects. Not just drive by it and respond to calls as a reactionary entity. I’m asking you for your vote on Aug. 2nd. Elect Randal Owsley Sheriff of Hickman County. Law Enforcement at it’s Best. Thank You.
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Your website and/or contact info?
What is the job of the sheriff, in your own words?
The Chief Law Enforcement Officer of the county, to preserve the peace and serve the citizens of the county.
Which of these do you believe best describes the responsibility of the sheriff’s office?
Responding to crimes and bringing offenders to justice
If the Federal Government passed a radically unconstitutional law that affected Hickman County, such as a mass gun ban/confiscation, what would your response be?
The Sheriff takes an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of Tennessee, as well as the laws of the state Tennessee. The Federal Government does not have the jurisdiction to violate the constitution or enforce unconstitutional mandates.
What is your position on if and when no-knock warrants should be used?
A No-knock warrant should only be used in dire circumstances where a life may be in immanent danger. All warrants should only be written and served when there is probable cause to do so.
What are your thoughts on bringing back the Reserve Deputy program?
I think a reserve deputy program is well worth the time put into it.
Do you believe the Bible gives guidance on how the Sheriff should discharge his duties? If so, what are some of the main verses or principles that you look to?
I believe the bible gives God’s instructions on how to receive hope through his son Jesus Christ. I believe the Proverbs give us guidelines on how to live a life of peace, as well as how to treat our fellow man/ woman. For those who follow these guidelines, will have wisodom and understanding. Those who choose not to will only have strife and peril. Hebrews 11: 8 says (paraphrasing) When we are slow to justice evil will grow in the hearts of men.