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Political Forum 08 — Saline County Sheriff: Sheriff candidates differ on department’s image |
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Tuesday, 21 October 2008 |
Candidates trying to succeed Saline County Sheriff Phil Mask disagree on whether the office has gained a tarnished reputation under Mask’s eight-year administration.
Democrat Bruce Pennington, a seven-year sergeant in the department, said during Political Forum 2008 on Monday night that tarnished “might be a little harsh.”
“Are there problems? Yes,” Pennington said. “But I work there and I know what the problems are and I can take care of them.”
Republican James Ward, who owns COP Security Systems in Alexander, did not hesitate. “I certainly think the sheriff’s office has a tarnished image,” he said.
Political Forum 2008 is being held at the Royal Theatre in Downtown Benton. The event is co-sponsored by the Courier and TV95. Tonight’s session features Benton and Bryant city council candidates.
Mask, from Bryant, chose not to seek re-election to a fifth term. The last few years of his administration have been marked with controversy, including widespread charges that the sheriff and his department have declined to cooperate with the Quorum Court and with other law enforcement agencies in the county.
“It’s time for a change,” Ward said, telling voters they have an opportunity to “take back” the department.
“I didn’t know (the department) had gone anywhere,” Pennington retorted.
The sheriff’s office “has to be responsible to the Quorum Court and they have to be responsible to us,” Ward said. “We have to put our egos aside and work together.”
Pennington, from Benton, said he can “work with the Quorum Court.” He said he also has the respect of other law enforcement personnel and agencies in the county “because I work with them already on a daily basis.”
Pennington acknowledged that morale problems surface in the sheriff’s office every two years. “People always wonder at election time if they are going to have a job,” he said.
Ward charged that the sheriff’s office “is not responding to some burglary calls and drug calls. We are going to change that.”
Pennington did not deny those accusations. “Granted, there may be problems, but I know what they are,” he said.
Pennington, 57, a native of Newport, has more than 37 years in public service and more than 3,000 hours of law enforcement training. He was a police officer and firefighter in Newport and later worked for the Arkansas State Police. He moved to Saline County in 1987.
Ward, 32, a native of Benton, spent several years as a reserve deputy in the sheriff’s office and served in the Army National Guard. He started his security business in 1998 and now does business in more than 50 cities in Arkansas.
“I know administration,” Ward said, “and I have been in the business of protecting people. I know how to deal with employees and payrolls and a sheriff must be an administrator. The sheriff’s office has a $5.5 million budget and 74 employees. That is a tremendous responsibility.”
Pennington said that in 32 years of law enforcement work, “I know how criminals work and how they think. I know how to protect citizens. I also know that you have to have law enforcement experience in addition to doing administrative work.”
Pennington said he has the respect of fellow officers in the sheriff’s office because he works there. “To get the respect of these people, you have to walk in their shoes,” he said.
Observers say the sheriff’s race may be the most spirited in the county. The intesity level was raised in August when sheriff’s Sgt. Ray Pennington filed a complaint against Ward with the Saline County Election Commision.
Pennington alleges that Ward threated to terminate Pennington, if Ward becomes sheriff, if Pennington became involved in Bruce Pennington’s campaign in any way.
Ray and Bruce Pennington are not related and the commission has not ruled on the complaint.
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