The victim advocate program has brought national attention to Murphy, NC with its innovative approach to victim services.  The recipient of several awards such as Outstanding Law Enforcement Professional in Victim Services both on the Regional and State Levels.  In addition, the program is under the direction of a State and Nationally accredited Victim Advocate.

INTERNET CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN TASK FORCE

In an effort to provide a safer community the Cherokee County Sheriff Office has joined the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force which combines local, state and federal officers and resources to combat the exploitation of children. By joining the ICAC the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office has received numerous hours of training and technical assistance from the U. S. Department of Justice at no cost to the taxpayers of Cherokee County. To provide additional avenues of security the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office has provided free of charge to the public over 30 safety lectures which have been attended by over 200 citizens of Cherokee County, and continues to provide this service free of charge to the public.

DRUG TASK FORCE

One of three units in the state of North Carolina that continues to receive grant funding, our unit is currently serving as the model for Drug Task Forces throughout the country because of the innovative approach that the agents take to making and pursuing cases.

TECHNOLOGY

The addition of wireless 'hotspots' throughout the county and mobile data terminals in each patrol car, allow deputies to utilize vital information in the field that they otherwise would not have at their disposal.  This keeps both the deputies and the citizens of this county safer while also limiting the time officers must spend at the office doing reports. The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office website allows citizens access to information and resources that previously were not available.  Finally, the Sheriff's Office has just upgraded it's Record Management System (SMART) to expand it's capabilities in statistical reporting, crime mapping, and administrative needs.

S.E.R.T.

The Sheriff's Emergency Response Team, or S.E.R.T. is a multi-jurisdictional unit that has the primary responsibilities of responding to hostage situations, barricaded criminals, high risk warrant service, and situations that are beyond the capability of standard police tactics, training, and resources.  S.E.R.T.'s number one goal in any call out is the protection of lives and the safe resolution of the incident.  Through strenuous training and extreme dedication, S.E.R.T. members are ready for any situation.

INMATE FARM PROJECT

In an effort to reduce the ever-arising costs of food and to meet the ever-rising number of inmates, we have established the Inmate Farm Project that meets two purposes. 1) Reducing the costs of feeding inmates and 2) providing the inmates activities that are both beneficial to their health and productive to the county.

JAIL WORK-DETAILS

I take the position that if an inmate is capable of productive work, then he or she should be given that opportunity.  Inmate work-details have saved both the county government and local townships taxpayer dollars in such projects as the Martins Creek School, Smoky Mountain Aero, Mountain Youth Center, Cherokee County Landfill, graveyard maintenance, trash pickup, and Marble School Project.

JAIL SERVICES

The Detention Center boasts several new services during my administration.  Some of these include Jail Ministries, GED programs, Work Release Programs, and Work Details.