"The answer is more complex than you might think… I have served the citizens of Black Hawk County proudly for over 14 years. In that amount of time, I have been granted opportunities to go beyond the traditional duties of a Deputy Sheriff.
I
have represented the Sheriff's Office as the spokesperson and Public
Information Officer, and as the Community Services Coordinator for 8
years. I have worked with numerous community groups and am well
known for my active support of and contribution to
community service agencies and groups.
I have recognized the damage and public risk caused by illegal drugs in our county and for the last 4 years have aggressively worked as a patrol officer with narcotics interdiction and investigations as my primary focus. I recognize that better than 80% of all crimes committed in Black Hawk County have a root cause related to illegal drugs and alcohol.
In all my public speaking and community education efforts, I have come to find that the citizens of Black Hawk County really want and demand a frank, forthright, and no non-sense approach to public service. This is the way I live my life. As the son of a senior Non-Commissioned Officer in the US Army, I have grown up with selfless service as a common theme in my home. I now am a senior Non-Commissioned Officer in the Iowa Army National Guard and teach leadership in the state's Officer Candidate School. I work with all kinds of people from all kinds of differing backgrounds and I embrace the opportunity to break down barriers and put a spotlight and focus on issues that will continue to improve and progress our County.
I have served 4 years on the Iowa State Sheriff's and Deputies Association's- State Jails Committee (which aides the Department of Corrections and the state legislature in authoring and maintaining Iowa's State Jailing Standards.)
I got involved early in my career on the Jail Transition Team, responsible for writing policy and procedures for the new jail building.
I think that far too often, people do something with "what is in it for me" as the forefront issue in their mind. I look to all the programs and services that I, as a Deputy Sheriff have had the privilege to initiate and participate in, and realize that the opportunity exists to have an even greater impact as the Sheriff of Black Hawk County.
I recognize the
importance of conviction, dedication, professionalism, and the
strength of genuine effort.
I have been blessed with numerous accomplishments and I
sincerely want to do more.
Being the Sheriff of Black Hawk County opens opportunities to
further my positive impact on the citizens of
I earnestly desire to serve the citizens of Black Hawk County as
the next Sheriff; to be held accountable for promises made and
promises to be kept for years to come. I want to be seen as an
investment in the future of your Sheriff's Office and responsible
for the continued forward progress of our agency. I want to
build on the successes of those who have served before me, and
continue to focus on ways to improve. I want our voters and
taxpayers to recognize that I will
devote my genuine best
efforts towards making
Finally, I recognize that there are those with more years of service running for the office. I submit to you that longevity does not equate to experience. Many of the people voicing interest in the duties of Sheriff have simply outlasted others on the department. They have simply done their jobs and as time progressed, so did they. I hope that the citizens of Black Hawk County want someone with battle-tested leadership capabilities. I hope that the people who live and work in Black Hawk County want a Sheriff's Office and a Sheriff who is sincere when he says he wants to reduce crime, and be more accountable to their wants and needs. I hope that the voters of Black Hawk County see me as an investment in the Sheriff's Office's future, one that will continue to grow and prosper through cooperation, commitment, dedication, information sharing and compassion. "
~Tony Thompson