From Mark's Desk

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that accountability is not something a department should fear. Accountability, when practiced correctly, earns trust, strengthens relationships, and proves that the people in uniform are worthy of the responsibility they carry. That’s why I believe in transparency when it comes to law enforcement footage.

We have patrol cars equipped with dash cameras. We have deputies equipped with body cameras. And those cameras are not there as decoration they are there to record the reality of what officers face when they’re out on calls. My commitment is simple: that footage should be made available to the public whenever legally possible. If there is no ongoing investigation that requires footage to be temporarily withheld, I want it released. People deserve to see what their officers go through. They deserve to understand the situations deputies are walking into. They deserve to know that the men and women wearing the badge are operating with respect, professionalism, and lawful intent.

Today, there’s a stereotype floating around nationwide that officers are roaming the streets looking for people to harm, looking to escalate, looking to abuse power. And I can tell you, from everything I’ve witnessed and the people I’ve worked beside that stereotype does not reflect the officers I know here.
We have some of the finest, most compassionate law enforcement personnel in our county. They are polite, professional, and they believe in the people they serve. But video matters, because it shows the full picture.

Sometimes officers have to escalate a situation. Sometimes they have to take control when a scene is dangerous or volatile. And while those moments can look intense, they’re often necessary to protect everyone involved. When that happens, bodycams and dashcams show exactly why decisions were made, and how officers responded under pressure. It proves that they acted within policy, within training, and with the best interest of safety in mind. And as sheriff, I will stand behind them when they do. Transparency doesn’t weaken trust it builds it.

We’ve all seen what happens when silence replaces information. Rumors spread. Assumptions take root. People guess at motives and outcomes. But when the footage is available, there’s no guessing,  there’s clarity. I believe in accountability and owning our actions. And I believe that if an officer is doing their job correctly, with integrity and professionalism, there should be no reason to hide that work from the people they serve.

We are not enemies of the community. We are partners with the community. And transparency is how we demonstrate that relationship. I don’t want a sheriff’s office that hides behind a wall. I want one that opens its doors and is honest with the community. Because when accountability is visible, trust follows. And trust is the foundation of safety.