03/31/2026
Platform:
1. Take seriously the duty of the sheriff to protect the safety and security of Lauderdale County Detention Center.
Most LDCC inmates (up to 94% by some metrics) are pre-trail detainees and, constitutionally, innocent until proven guilty. The vast majority of other inmates are serving short sentences for low-level offenses and will rejoin the community within weeks or months. As sheriff, it is my priority to make sure all inmates are treated with human dignity as long as they are under my supervision. Since 2022, multiple inmates have died in custody, and several lawsuits for brutality and/or sexual offenses have been brought against corrections officers. This is an unacceptable misuse of citizens’ resources and a gross abuse of the power of the office of Lauderdale County Sheriff.
2. Overhaul all procedures, including training, of community mental health officers with the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department and partner municipalities.
Under Alabama Code Title 22. Health, Mental Health, and Environmental Control § 22-52-91 SECTION 22-52-91, community mental health officers—including both Sheriff’s deputies and municipal partners—have a responsibility and duty to insure that those in crisis receive appropriate and lawful treatment for mental health and medical emergencies. This jurisdiction requires knowledgeable, empathetic, appropriately trained community mental health officers, including deferring to the judgement of board-certified medical professionals. It is imperative that all officers and jurisdictions within our county approach this job with the care that it deserves. Our most vulnerable citizens deserve protection, not intimidation.
3. Review all procedures, cases, and personnel in which any suggestion of misconduct by any sheriff-affiliated staff member is involved.
Lauderdale County, according to Policescorecard.org, has a higher use of deadly force score than 71% of departments analyzed. Statistics also show racially disparate policing, with minority groups experiencing violence at the hands of Lauderdale County law enforcement at rates much higher than their demographic composition. Policing should be fair, regardless of race, ethnicity, or social class.
4. Review all drug task force procedures and pending cases.
While drug epidemics have harmed our community in deadly ways, it is a disservice to our constituents to spend our valuable resources on low-level and first-time offenders. The CATO Institute, a right-leaning Libertarian think tank, found that drug task forces are the leading cause of over-policing, officer-involved brutality, and “policing for profit.” Since 2013, statistics from the FBI Unified Crime Report and FBI National Incident-Based Reporting System show that Lauderdale County arrests more low-level offenders than 84% of other departments in the U.S. I do not believe that our citizens represent the worst 16% of offenders—why does our policing reflect that they do?
5. Serve as an active listener in our community.
While our county is composed of multiple municipalities and unincorporated communities, the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s office touches them all. I promise to take seriously the concerns of all citizens, from Andersonville to Zip City and Antioch to Waterloo. Let’s all be good neighbors.
