DeWees Announces Run for Carroll County Sheriff in 2014

Maryland State Police Captain Jim DeWees is a lifelong Carroll County resident--he grew up here, worked here and is raising his family here. Recently DeWees announced that he is running for Carroll County Sheriff in 2014. 

DeWees, 42, who graduated from South Carroll High School, said that he is invested in Carroll County and wants to return to the area to continue his career in law enforcement. 

Dewees has three children in Carroll County Public Schools and his wife Heather works at and is the head girl's basketball coach at Manchester Valley High School. DeWees lives with his family outside of Manchester.

"Carroll County is a part of who I am and I would like nothing more than to have the opportunity to make our county even better than it already is," DeWees told Patch. 

In 2011 DeWees served as the commander of the Westminster State Police Barracks and has since moved up to Troop Commander, overseeing the barracks that service the Washington metro area. 

With a degree in criminal justice from Mt. St. Mary’s College, DeWees said he will graduate from Seton Hall University this fall with a Masters of Arts in Human Resource Development.  He is also a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. 

DeWees said there are several challenges facing the Carroll County Sheriff's Office. 

"One of the biggest [problems] is the ability to recruit and retain quality personnel to patrol our streets and work in our detention center," DeWees said.  "This must be done while working within a responsible budget and maintaining fiscal responsibility."  

As the Sheriff's Office continues its transition to the primary police force in Carroll County, DeWees said that deputies need to be well-rounded in their skill set.

"I believe there should be less focus on specialization within the department and more of a focus on developing the abilities of all deputies and detectives," DeWees said.  "Each sworn Sheriff’s Office employee should be confident in his or her ability to perform a wide range of law enforcement functions.  A deputy should be just as capable and confident of investigating a burglary as they are of writing a traffic ticket."

A focus on working with outside organizations and agencies is also important and a top priority for DeWees.

"Change also needs to come in our external relationships. A close and effective working relationship with the Carroll County State’s Attorney’s Office and with our allied law enforcement agencies must be developed and maintained," DeWees said. 

The current Sheriff, Ken Tregoning, was elected in November of 1998 as the 57th Sheriff to serve Carroll County according to the Carroll County Sheriff's Department website. 

To learn more about Dewees or his bid for Sheriff, visit www.facebook.com/Dewees4Sheriff

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