My Priorities when elected Sheriff of Monterey County

By Roque Flores "Rocky" Ugale

My 30 years of law enforcement experience enables me to see the flaws in the Sheriffs department clearly and the ability to implement change without fear of retribution.

When elected Sheriff of Monterey County my priorities are to:

• Fill all deputy positions for operations and corrections. I plan to offer personnel the opportunity to move into investigations.This will be done by grandfathering the present investigators to include investigative sergeants. As these investigators or sergeants promote or leave, I will rotate deputies into the investigation division every three-four years and the same will be done with the investigative sergeants.

• Establish an investigative unit within corrections. Provide deputies in corrections an opportunity to learn investigative skills. When it's time to report to operations, deputies will have the experience and knowledge to investigate crimes.

• Provide everyone in the Sheriff's Department, career development skills. I want to provide everyone the training and opportunity to move to the next level and, be successful. The department and community benefit from a better trained deputy and supervisor.

• Re-establish the special Enforcement Detail (SED), start a gang unit and improve our School Officer Resource program. The School Officer Resource program personnel must work closely with the gang unit and make sure our narcotics unit is sufficiently staffed to attack the war on drugs. Personnel will be on a rotating basis so everyone has an equal opportunity to learn a new skill.

It's time to vote for a new direction for change! As Sheriff, I plan on being here for the long haul, not just one term. I intend to bring self-awareness and pride back to the department.