Interview conducted by Julia Nader and Badra Salameh Andrews.
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez was born in Houston. His father could not read and write, but encouraged his son to acquire knowledge and culture, and his mother raised him to love and care for others.
While in college, he met the Chief of Police who exemplified for him manhood and patriotic service, which led him to seek a career in Law Enforcement (LE).
At first, he became a Hostage Negotiator and then he started ascending the LE career ladder. In 2009, he became part of Homeland Security and in 2016, he ran for the Sheriff position where he gained people’s trust.
This interview was conducted at his office, in the presence of Media Relations and Primary Spokesman of his office, Jason Spencer.
Sheriff, we would like to welcome you to our Magazine’s pages. Our first question is in regards to your program and its content?
The most important thing in my eyes is justice for all, rich or poor. We all need it, especially detainees. There are about 9,000 detainees awaiting trial, and we do not know whether they are guilty or innocent. Many do not have money to bail out. Those must be helped or assisted in finding a solution, and they need to have their trial expedited and to be given a second chance at a new life so they may be productive members of society. My program also includes increasing diversity of enrollees in LE by hiring from different communities. That is what I would like to invite the Arab American community to do, because Houston’s security is every citizen’s responsibility.
Sheriff, are there any Arab Americans in LE?
There is about less than 10% of Arab Americans in LE. I would like to get to know the Arab American community and participate in its activities, and conversely, I would like to get to know the leaders in the Arab American community so that we can build a relationship. That is what I seek.
What is new in LE?
Science is limitless and there is something new that comes up everyday. My dream is to become the best Sheriff in America, and I pursue it thanks to the team I work with. I really believe in teamwork.
There is no doubt that LE is progressing with women’s enrollment, and with chest cameras recording all interactions with the public. This is for the greater good as it shows that everyone’s rights were respected.
Sheriff, which is mightier in your opinion: the Law, our Humanity, Money, or Women?
First of all, it is women, as they are mothers and represent our humanity…then comes the Law and then Money’s role. People must be just, and the Law represents society’s justice.
It has been noted that you give a lot of attention to detainees who have been wronged?
I serve the homeland and the citizen. There are about 9,000 detainees and I am working on decreasing their numbers. I want to make Houston the world’s number 1 city when it comes to safety. I want to see every policeman a friend to the people. It is the citizen that pays the taxes and we receive our salaries from taxpayers so we ought to be the friend, the protector, and the brother of every citizen.
It is said that you visit inmates and sit and talk with them for hours and that you listen to their complaints.
Yes, and for the first time in LE history, the Sheriff sits with inmates. I ask them about their well being and try to assist them in regaining their status as good citizens. I meet sometimes inmates that are crying with pain, sadness, and regret. I try to be their brother, especially those who were arrested on a misdemeanor; and we try to avoid sending them to prison as it would constitute a bad precedent and would bear negatively on their future. We have, for example, a rehabilitation clinic for alcohol addicts so we can avoid sending them to jail. I also try to teach inmates a vocation or a trade of some sort, so that they may have a job when released. There is also a program for pregnant women, where we teach them computer skills and sewing skills. My goal is therefore to turn detainees and inmates into good citizens that serve society. And yes, there are many challenges but also many opportunities to start a new life.
When you were elected Sheriff, whom did you call first?
My parents and my family, my father, may he rest in peace. But my mother, who has Alzheimer’s disease, does not know that I won. She saw me but did not recognize me. I offer my success to my parents, since they were the ones who raised me on ethics and good morals. My mother was bold. She worked tirelessly when she arrived to Houston, where I was born. My wife had a great role in helping and supporting me during my campaign. Quite frankly, it is my family, my children, and my friends who gave us the first and greatest support when I ran for the position of Sheriff.
Sheriff, what would you like to ask of the Arab American community now that we are nearing the end of the interview?
To broaden their horizons; and that we ought to meet always and discuss on-goings, to check on their affairs and talk about what may cause them fears or anxiety so we can better help them. I am well aware that the Arab American community is hard-working, virtuous, and loves America. The Sheriff is your brother and his doors are wide open to you all.
The Arab American community is a show of civilization, and so they need to help the Sheriff, because every citizen in Houston is responsible for the safety of their city. I wish them the best of success.
I would like to thank Lebanon Times for their objective questions, as they have become the voice of the Arab American community and of society at large.
Last questions that are outside the scope of this interview: Do you ever go into the kitchen?
Yes, the kitchen is one of my hobbies because I love Italian food and in particular spaghetti with meat, onions, and garlic.
What is your favorite hobby?
Reading and serving others while respecting the Law.
Your opinion about this interview?
It is sort of unusual and bold. And my interviewers from Lebanon Times clearly have journalistic experience.
That is how the interview with Sheriff Gonzalez ended. We wish for him to win the title of Best Sheriff in the USA, and we wish for Houston to become an exemplary city in safety and stability.
