Ron Hickman was appointed as the current Sheriff of Harris County Texas; he served as Constable for one of the largest Constable offices in the nation For 14 years. Now, he’s brought that innovation and leadership to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Lebanon Times had the honor to meet with Sheriff Ron Hickman; the open eye of Harris County at their office for an interview from heart to heart based on truth and courage

*Why did you chose a career in Law Enforcement, versus selecting another field of work, i.e, Lawyer, etc …? 

I have always been interested in public service and law enforcement is one of the unique professions that gives you an opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life almost every day.
*If you win the elections in 2016, what is the very first thing that comes to mind that you think that you will do, upon learning of your victory?

In all honesty, it will probably be take a deep breath and buckle down and keep doing what I do every day, find a way to make things better. I’m a problem solver and a natural born fixer.

*Who will you credit as being one the biggest contributing factor(s) to your success, when you win the elections? 

My father is probably the single biggest influence on the character I developed as an adult. He taught me to have a strong work ethic and integrity and to balance that with compassion. I have always been very accessible and open to dialogue across the various segments of our community. I believe that communications is the key to understanding and if you can’t listen, you can’t solve problems.

*What is your campaign slogan?  “Excellence through Experience.

Your life matters and you can take that to the bank”.

*In your opinion, where does Houston/Harris County rank on a national level when it comes to the crime rate and citizens’ safety?

(Basically, when compared to other cities counties)  That’s a tough comparison to make since in some ways its apple and oranges. We do have a lot of crime but we also have a lot of land mass to spread it across. Our population is not constrained into a small melting pot where issues boil over. The other issue is we have a number of municipalities contained within our borders that we share our crime fighting efforts with on a regional level. Our closest comparison is probably Chicago \ Cook County Illinois. Their population, land mass, and density most closely resembles that of the Houston and Harris County area. When it comes to violent crime, I would like to think we are in a much better position.

*Do you have any plans to implement new Rules, Regulations, or Programs, in Harris County that you believe that this County needs to improve the quality of life? 

I have already implemented a number of changes since taking office. Here is a list of them in the last 8 months:

Redistribution of Manpower

To mission critical areas – 58 personnel were transferred from non-essential areas to increase the field presence in Patrol for call for service operations,

thus increasing the pool of personnel responding to calls for service. 10 additional personnel added to the Criminal Investigations Bureau to increase investigative resources.

Re-alignment of Budget 

We received permission from Commissioner’s Court for the first time ever to split our Sheriff’s budget into three separate fund accounts to stop the drift of money from one area to another. This establishes a better business plan and helps maintain operational priorities. Developed a better overall business approach to department and fiscal management.

Grants 

Received a grant to add 21 positions to monitor freeway congestion and improve traffic flow. The Sheriff’s Office will be the only police agency monitoring every freeway in the County. Added $700,000 to the Texas Anti-Gang Center bringing our total in secured grants to $3,842,000

Privatization 

Commissary Services was privatized with increased profits and reduced staff dependency to provide commissary services to inmates by outsourcing. Also looking next to privatize kitchen services.

Cancelled Unnecessary Contracts and Purchase Orders 

Cancelled over a million dollars in unnecessary contracts and purchase orders for services, such as paid inmate chaplaincy services and consulting services.

 Not one consulting contract issued since taking office. Harris County Sheriff’s Academy 

Re-established the Basic Correction Course and Basic Peace Office Course at the Harris County Sheriff’s Academy for the first time since 2009.

Detention Officers 

Raised the minimum age to 21 and added physical requirements. Eliminated the two week on-line training for Detention Officers.

Jail Inspection 

Passed the surprise jail inspection in December with positive comments on the improvements made to employee and inmate morale. Added project for video recording for the 1200 Baker Street Jail.

Homeless Outreach Team 

Started a public \ private partnership to create a Homeless Outreach team that has placed 28 people in housing and made over 110 homeless contacts just in the last 90 days. With all equipment and materials bought through private funds. Over the holidays a family with 3 small (8 month was the youngest) were placed in permanent housing (apartment) provided furniture and the father located employment

Morale

In just the first 8 months department morale has skyrocketed with positive comments routinely coming from public contacts and from personnel.

Other Important Initiatives

Created a High Tech Crime Unit, increasing our footprint for Cybercrime and Child Exploitation enforcement

Increased Patrol Fleet by buying new equipment and replacing high mileage vehicles from seized monies.

Implemented new Law Enforcement technologies, digitizing hundreds of thousands of old fingerprint records.

implemented joint operations with local Constables and improved relations with regional law enforcement.

*What message would you like to pass to the Citizens of Harris County through the Lebanon Times Magazine, prior to and during the 2016 elections? 

I believe that all aspects of our community contribute to the greatness of the area we call Harris County. Working together we can identify and isolate issues that have a negative influence on the community and direct efforts to improve it. Effective law enforcement requires a partnership with the community that involves everything from proper parenting to respect for authority, most of those are things taught in the home. By cooperating with each other we can continue to improve our community.