Ahead of this November’s election, WYDaily is sending out questionnaires to some candidates in contested races across the Historic Triangle
First up: The race for York-Poquoson Sheriff.
York County voters will see two names on the ballot for sheriff this Nov. 3, including Scott Williams and incumbent Sheriff J.D. “Danny” Diggs, who has run unopposed since his election in 1999.
WYDaily is publishing questionnaires filled out by each candidate Wednesday, Aug. 28 and Wednesday, Sept. 4. Both questionnaires were sent at the same time, and both were given exactly one week to fill out their answers.
Candidates were required to keep their answers to 150 words each. The returned questionnaires have not been edited by WYDaily staff.
Publication is determined by the order in which questionnaires were returned.
Here are Scott Williams‘ answers.
Why do you want to be sheriff?
It’s simple: to change the culture of the agency to one of a proactive, community policing agency. By changing the culture of the Sheriff’s department to a “proactive” law enforcement agency, everyone—from Sheriff to all employees, sworn or non-sworn—will embrace the ideals of community policing. We will take all citizens seriously and address their concerns. We will encourage citizen participation in our problem-solving efforts. We need to make a difference together by listening to our community and having the trust of that entire community. In doing so, we can be ready for the future.
We will listen. We will act. We will serve our community.
What is your plan for community outreach? How will you increase the amount of community involvement and engagement with sheriff’s office law enforcement?
I want an agency where employees and citizens can come together to address crime and neighborhood concerns. We cannot adequately address crime and quality of life issues if we do not know what the community lives with and experiences every day. Community policing is a philosophy of full-service, personalized policing, where the same officer patrols and works in the same area on a permanent basis. This approach is a proactive partnership with citizens to identify and solve problems.
I will increase the amount of community involvement by having all deputies become community policing officers. One method for deputies to connect with the community is by establishing relationships with community leaders and business owners, learning about their concerns and addressing these concerns together. Knowing and understanding the citizens’ issues is an important part of increasing engagement and addressing concerns together.
What are you going to do to improve the relationship between law enforcement and minorities in York County?
Nothing builds trust like human contact. By changing the culture of the YPSO to proactive, community policing, we create an open and perfect environment for improving our relationship with the minority community. As Sheriff, I will expect deputies to make direct contact with the community they serve. They will spend more time outside of their cars. If they see kids playing a pick-up game, they will stop by and throw the ball around. If they see citizens sitting on the porch or in the yard, stop and say hello. Find what issues and concerns people have and address them.
I would also team up with organizations like the NAACP and our faith-based community to develop training and informal meet and greet opportunities to break down barriers. By changing the culture of the YPSO, deputies can interact more and become a part of the community they serve.
Do you think there is room for improvement in the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office when it comes to transparency as an elected official and publicly-funded department? If there is room for improvement, what will you do to make it better?
I would agree the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office needs to improve on their transparency and work better with the media and the community.
For example, on February 21, a deputy stopped a vehicle on Merrimac Trail for not using headlights. The vehicle stopped at Parkway Apartments. As the deputy approached the vehicle, the driver’s side door swung open and the deputy accidentally discharged his firearm. It took 19 hours before the information was released to the media. This is unacceptable and does not build trust in the community we serve. This will not happen when I am Sheriff.
We will be as open and transparent as we can with the media and the community. In the current national climate, transparency and trust are two areas law enforcement needs to address in order to ensure we are making the right decisions and building trust in the community.
How would you go about retaining the “best of the best” employees and deputies of the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office?
By focusing on the individual deputy, listening and encouring their growth, we can start to retain the talented individuals who work within the department. If we continue to follow the status quo, we will only reap what we have sown.
As your next Sheriff, I want to make proper recruitment, retention, and training a priority. I want to create an environment where employees enjoy coming to work and know they are making a difference in the community they serve.
As Sheriff, deputies will not be overworked due to lack of proper staffing and shortages. We will recognize deputies’ good work and reward them. We will develop our staff and empower employees to be creative and utilize their knowledge, skills, and abilities by challenging them daily. We can create the perfect work environment by showing we care, honoring commitments and understanding our employees are the reason we succeed.
