Politics & Government
Meet the Candidate: Mike Turner for Sheriff
Mike Turner wants to return to the Sheriff's Office, this time as its sheriff.
Mike Turner left the Sheriff's Office as Sheriff Ray Nash retired and Sheriff L.C. Knight took his first term in 2008. Now, he wants to return as sheriff.
"I didn't know how well I'd fit in (under Knight)," Turner said.
"The progression of the Sheriff's Office when I was there was one of a modern agency," Turner said, implying that the office has not continued on that path toward modernity.
Find out what's happening in Summervillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
He said it was "community-oriented" policing and more decentralized. Whereas he sees the Sheriff's Office as very centralized and "impersonal" now.
Turner cited the North Charleston Police Department's modernization over the years as an example to follow.
Find out what's happening in Summervillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"I'm a student of law enforcement," Turner said. Turner has had 22 years in law enforcement. "They didn't reduce (policing) by using a 50-year-old policing model."
He wants zoned law enforcement with supervisors for each zone. He wants real-time crime analysis to help deputies make better decisions. He said crime has risen in the county because crime has decreased in places like North Charleston where law enforcement has modernized.
"Crime here has gone up. It's been displaced by our neighbors," Turner said, adding that crime never goes away, it just gets displaced.
Turner also champions transparency, saying he would have a detailed analysis of expenses online for citizens to view. He said it would be specific, and include gas expenditures by the department.
Since leaving the sheriff's office, Turner has worked as head of security for the school district.
"It's given me a different perspective on law enforcement," Turner said. He added that he has to stay on top of the latest in technology and the latest trends in his current position.
Turner will be on hand to answer your questions during next Thursday's Coffee with the Candidate. . To learn more about Turner, visit his website, www.turner4sheriff.org.
Editor's Note: This is one story in a series focused on candidates running in 2012. To see more stories on this topic, click here.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.