Britt Massey, Republican Candidate for Pickens County Sheriff

Courtesy of Britt Massey for Sheriff

I did not make it to the Big Canoe Meet & Greet on June 6th, but here is a little of what Mr. Massey plans to do if he is elected the next Pickens County Sheriff…(you can read the whole speech by going to www.masseyforsheriff.com

…Now, let’s talk a few minutes about my platform and what I will accomplish as your next Sheriff of Pickens County.

Illegal drugs… this is a very big problem in this county. Under my administration, we can and we will make a huge impact on the amount of illegal drugs being sold and transported. I understand how to make this happen; I have experience both as an Undercover Narcotics Agent and as the former Deputy Commander of the Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad.

The primary need facing our Drug Task Force is manpower. I will increase the number of drug agents protecting Pickens County, by supplying the Task Force with additional officers. These agents will primarily focus their efforts on Pickens County and the only resource we will have to provide is salary. The Task Force will incur all other expenses and liability.

In order to apprehend those who choose to transport drugs through Pickens County, we will purchase a K-9 Drug Dog. A drug case was recently dismissed in this county, because the offender had to wait an extended period of time for a drug dog to arrive from a neighboring agency. This is unacceptable. A drug dog will be readily available to patrol officers who suspect the use or presence of narcotics in a vehicle.

I will also use deterrents to reduce the amount of drug activity that occurs in Pickens County.

My staff will work with our schools to develop programs that not only inform our children of the devastation caused by drugs, but also offer interesting and positive alternatives.

I will also work to educate our adults through regularly scheduled Community Forums. Topics will cover numerous issues, including the physical effects of drugs, what to do when you suspect drugs are being sold in your neighborhood, and statistics on recent drug-related arrests made by your Sheriff’s Office and Drug Task Force.

Our Sheriff’s Office will work with Probation and Parole officers to monitor high-risk convicted drug offenders.

And a Neighborhood Watch program will be established, which will notify participants immediately when suspicious or illegal activity is reported in their area.

I will make several improvements in staffing.

I will assign more Patrol Officers per shift. With smaller Patrol Zones, officers will become visible in every neighborhood, and more familiar with their patrol area and the citizens that reside there.

A Warrant Division will be created; these officers will issue civil papers and arrest warrants. This is an important, but time consuming responsibility. Uniform Patrol deputies will be allowed to focus on patrolling and responding to 911 emergencies.

Animal Control is a real problem in this county – and until now, it has been left to the citizens to handle. That will change. I will immediately provide a deputy from each patrol shift with specialized training regarding animal control issues. These officers will respond to any animal control complaints which occur during their normal patrol shifts. I will also begin work on a long-term solution to create a much-needed centralized animal control shelter in Pickens County. I believe that by working cooperatively with Big Canoe Animal Rescue, Pickens Animal Rescue, and county administration, we can solve this ongoing problem. Animal Control should be a “county government” responsibility, not a “citizens” responsibility.

I will be extremely cautious in determining who is hired to protect our community. New standards and procedures will guarantee that only the highest quality officers are hired to serve Pickens County.

Supervisors from neighboring agencies will be asked to interview and review the qualifications of employees seeking advancement within the agency. Their objective opinions will determine which employees should be promoted. I have served on such boards in the past and I believe they are the best avenue for ensuring that promotions are truly fair.

Nepotism in this agency will not be tolerated. A Nepotism Policy will be written and enforced to prevent unreasonable favoritism for family members.

And I will promote our Sheriff’s Office as a career choice. The Pickens Sheriff’s Office will earn the community respect necessary to encourage officers to make this agency a career choice, rather than simply a “training ground” that benefits neighboring agencies.

There are several ways I will ensure that your tax dollars, and mine, are invested properly and responsibitly.

In 2007, the top six officials in your Sheriff’s Office received a total of over $65,000 in overtime pay. This will not happen on my watch! Captains and above – including myself – will be paid based on salary only.

Wasteful spending will be prevented by requiring that all future high-dollar purchases must first receive my approval.

I will utilize grants in providing additional services that are valuable and appropriate for our community.

And drug dealers will soon realize that if convicted of a drug-related crime in Pickens County, their property will be seized when allowed by law. I will work to see that a portion of the funds obtained from the sale of condemned property is earmarked for Sheriff’s Office use.

Quality training is a vital key to successful law enforcement.

I will develop mandatory training which will not only include classroom lectures, but also relevant, practical exercises, allowing our deputies to become more capable and skilled in stressful situations.

The Detention Officers who work in our jail will receive training to correct reported problems with safety and inmate security.

For 2 ½ years, my sole responsibility was to prepare domestic violence cases for the District Attorney’s Office. That experience has shown me that, unfortunately, most officers don’t understand the mindset and rationale of the domestic violence victim. Training will be reviewed, to ensure that each officer is qualified to adequately assist the victim and properly complete the investigation.

And finally, in order for our Sheriff’s Office to maintain its integrity:

*we will prove ourselves to be worthy of your confidence,

*we will be responsive to every citizen,

*and we will treat all citizens with courtesy and respect.

We will provide fair and equal justice, with arrests being considered based on the action of the defendant – never based on factors such as their name, organization affiliation, community position or kinship.

We will be proactive, working to deter crime in Pickens County, before it occurs.

And lastly, but most importantly, I will be accessible. I will make myself available to the citizens of Pickens County. I will answer to you.

And I make this pledge to you. ..As your Sheriff, I promise that each day I step into that office, I will always put forth my very best God-given abilities to be worthy of your support, trust and confidence.

I want to thank you again for your attendance and I respectfully ask for your support and your vote on July 15^th. Thank you.

Be Sure to Get Out and Vote on July 15th!

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