My name is Freddie Poor, and I am the Chief Deputy of the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office. I am asking for your support as I seek election to the position of Sheriff of Galveston County in November 2008.

My 40 years of law enforcement experience, coupled with 28 years in successful leadership roles – more than any other candidate – uniquely prepares me to achieve my first and most important mission as YOUR Sheriff: sharing my passion for the job of a law enforcement officer while remaining compassionate to the needs of those the Sheriff’s Office serves – YOU, the citizens of Galveston County.

I will achieve this mission not only through new programs but by continuing and expanding on positive programs the Sheriff’s Office already has in place. With your support for me as Sheriff, I shall work with both the public and other law enforcement agencies to help protect you and your family by:

• Increasing narcotics investigations in a cooperative, county-wide effort to rid our community of the illegal drugs that contribute to all types of criminal activity;
  
• Enhancing visibility by increasing the number of deputies we put “on the streets”, not only in the unincorporated areas of the County but empowering those deputies to work more closely within EVERY community in the County;
  
• Building on the success of information sharing by enabling EVERY police agency in the County access to the Sheriff’s Office criminal database, providing every police officer instant access to information about dangerous criminals;
  
• Furthering career development of our Sheriff’s Deputies, enhancing their safety and growth potential through education, training exercises, and fair pay so your Sheriff’s Office attracts and, more importantly, retains the very best, highest quality, and most experienced law enforcement personnel to serve you and your family;
  
• Continuing to develop new and innovative programs that offer both greater insight to the operations of the Sheriff’s Office and educate the community on how we can better work together to make our homes, families, and businesses safe.

One achievement I am proud of is partnering with the community to help reduce crime and make streets safer, one neighborhood at a time. While serving as Chief of Police in Galveston, I implemented Neighborhood Watch programs designed to help citizens become actively involved in efforts to reduce crime. Additionally, while serving as Chief of Police, I also started the first Citizen’s Police Academy in Galveston County, a program that continues today and has graduated 22 sessions. As Chief Deputy Sheriff, we began a similar program at the Sheriff’s Office that is currently hosting its 11th session and boasts over 300 Galveston County community members as graduates.

I pledge to work closely with these valuable programs and their alumni, supporting their involvement with law enforcement and the community we serve. Additionally, I will expand this and other community-oriented programs at the Sheriff’s Office, strengthening bonds with the people we serve and involving the citizens of Galveston County in keeping our homes, families, and businesses safe.

Please visit my website at www.freddiepoorforsheriff.com to receive regular updates on my plans for the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office. Remember, the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office works for you, and I am always available to hear your concerns.

Thank you very much for your support as I seek to become YOUR Sheriff!

Freddie Poor, Chief Deputy