Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Carlton announces for county sheriff

Bobby Carlton has announced his candidacy for Nevada County Sheriff. Carlton said he has had a good career in law enforcement. He cited his love of law enforcement and his concern for Nevada County as the reasons he decided to run for the office.

]Nevada County is my home, he said, though he spent a great deal of his career in other parts of the state.

During his 29 years as an Arkansas State Trooper, Carlton was stationed at a variety of posts, including a stint at the governors mansion. He also worked for the Arkansas Highway Patrol, but took advantage of the opportunity to return to the Prescott area in 1984.

I requested a transfer back home, Carlton said.

Carlton and his wife of 16 years live in Nevada County. He worked as a trooper in the area up until his retirement last year. With his tenure as a state trooper, Carlton said he could simply enjoy his retirement.

But I thought about it hard and I prayed about it hard for about six months, he said.

During that time, he said he had a lot of people who encouraged him to run.

All the time Id been a trooper, Id been fair and honest and professional, Carlton said. Having that type of reputation  I felt like  was one of the reasons people wanted me to run for office.

Carlton said his years as a trooper also make him qualified to be the Nevada County Sheriff because of the training he received as part of that job.

I have approximately 3,500 law enforcement training hours, Carlton said.

While working as a trooper, Carlton also received two high honors  the Life Saving Award and the Valor Award. Both were garnered as part of his duties as trooper, and while doing what Carlton said he loves to do.

I love people, he said. I love them having a belief in me  a faith that Im doing right.

Carlton said his parents were both born and raised in Nevada County. He told a story of walking along the streets of Prescott with his mother when he was just a child, and seeing a police car rush past with lights and sirens going. He said he knew from that moment that law enforcement was his future.

I dont think everyone has what it takes to be a law enforcement officer, Carlton said. But its something I think of all the time.

Drugs are the biggest problem facing Nevada County, according to Carlton. Specifically, crystal methamphetamine.

As Im sure it is in nearly every county, Carlton said.

Carlton said the role of officers should not only be to find those using drugs, but also to make the countys citizens feel safe.

The citizens should feel that law enforcement officers are out there trying to help them, he said. And that means that the role of officers doesnt stop at enforcement. Meth is naturally a big problem and Id want to attack that, but Id also want to help others.

One idea Carlton has is to offer regular classes that would help people  especially the elderly  stay abreast of new traffic laws. I think too many times we just take it for granted that theyre going to know what the new laws are, he said.

From an administrative standpoint, Carlton said he is prepared to handle the duties of the sheriffs office.

Ive had my own business since 1979, he said. Ive managed accounts, dealt with people, and managed employees. There were times during my career when I was in a supervisory position.

As far as budgets and trying to adhere to what the quorum court has allotted, I have no problem with that.

While discussing budgets, Carlton said he believes its been some time since the county officers have had a raise.

Id do without a raise to get them one, he said. But the employees havent had a raise in awhile.

On the topic of other major issues facing the county, Carlton spoke about the jail.

The jail is a problem, he said. I think thats going to be a goal of mine, to try to procure funds for a new facility.

He said federal grants could be a possible funding source and cited potential help from state and federal officers, including Rep. Mike Ross.

I would work personally on obtaining grants, he said.

Another point Carlton said is important is the condition of the countys police cars.

I realize we dont have to have new vehicles, but we need to be sure the cars are reliable, he said. We need to get the fleet back up in good shape so the maintenance is not so expensive.

Other issues Carlton said hed like to address if given the chance to hold the office include the patrols and the countys auxiliary officer.

Id like to have the officers spend less time in Prescott and more time in the rural areas, Carlton said. Id want to have them contacting business owners, talking to people. He said that personal contact can offer up information that officers might not get if they simply drive by or stop to check doors on businesses that are already closed.

He said he believes the auxiliary officers who are willing to give their time could be better utilized.

It increases manpower, he said. And those people donate their time, money and even their own vehicles.

Carlton said he believes the sheriffs office should be a full time position and that hes ready to hand his interest in his business off to someone else, if elected.

I already have an electrician wholl take over my business for me, Carlton said. All my time will be devoted to the sheriffs office. Its going to take it.

Finally, Carlton said he would have a very open door policy with regard to records, files and reports, and that he would hope to cultivate relationships with everyone in the county.

Vote for me because I have the experience, Carlton said. Im honest. Im fair. I have the desire to serve the citizens of Nevada County as their next sheriff.