Some Thoughts on the Sheriff's Office

On some other message boards and blogs, there has been a great deal of discussion about the upcoming election for sheriff of Bartow County. Much of this discussion is the usual drivel, rampant with conspiracy theories and anonymous sniping. 

As some of you know, I have recently retired from the after serving for a number of years. I had an opportunity to observe while serving. Prior to that, I spent a number of years serving with the state in a capacity that placed the BCSO squarely within the region in which I had certain responsibilities, further giving me the opportunity to observe.

Nothing that I say now should be taken as gospel, but hopefully it will give you a starting point to make your own decision about who should be the sheriff in your fine county. I have no vested interest. Nothing that I say will effect how much money I have, or what I will do in the future. My wife will pretty much make those decisions for me. :)

By any measurable standard, the BCSO is better off today than it has ever been. Burglary clearance rates are up and reportable crimes have yielded more arrests and convictions while most other agencies have reported a downward trend in these same areas. 

Sheriff Millsap would be the first to agree that the BCSO needs to improve performance, but the increased performance has been accomplished in the face of a rather draconian reduction in resources. 

If Sheriff Millsap has an "Achilles heel," it is that he shows a lot of downward loyalty to those who work for him. He simply does not just kick employees to the curb and admittedly, this has on occasion come back to bite him. 

BCSO continues to perform a very difficult task and they generally do it well in spite of financial handicaps. This is due to a cadre of dedicated sworn employees and support personnel led by a man who cares very much about the county of his upbringing.

I am not a Bartow County native and actually live in the next county over within spitting distance of the county line. I tell folks that I live in suburban Euharlee which is in the middle of rather dense woods. 

Come January as your thoughts turn to election time, please just remember what I said. While there may be other candidates who wish to be the sheriff, cast your vote wisely.