Candidate Q&A: Henrico Sheriff

Editor's note: In advance of the Nov. 5 general elections, the Henrico Citizen posed four questions to each candidate for the local and state offices that represent Henrico. Below is the fourth in a series of responses from those candidates; it includes the responses of candidates for Henrico sheriff who replied. Responses were limited to a total of 400 words. They appear alphabetically by the candidates' last names.

1. Why should residents of Henrico County vote for you?
GREGORY – My 21 years with the sheriff's office and experience on the executive staff have prepared me to continue moving the sheriff's office forward by building on the current strengths and in a collaborative effort with the staff, other county agencies and members of the community creating a plan that will make this agency even better.  Starting from the position of deputy sheriff and rising through the ranks to chief deputy and acting second in command, gives me a perspective and knowledge of this agency and its' role in Henrico County that none of my opponents posses.  Having obtained a bachelor's degree in human resource management with a minor in leadership and a master's degree in disaster science, both from the University of Richmond, along with the numerous specialized training opportunities that I have been afforded have prepared me to edit, amend and create policies and procedures, assist with the creation and management of the agency's budget along with overseeing the operations of one of the largest sheriff's office in the Commonwealth.

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MATSON – A sheriff controls more than just the jail, and must manage large lodging, food service, maintenance, medical, personnel and security operations. As a former U.S. Army officer and Iraq veteran, I have executive leadership experience leading personnel with diverse skill sets in challenging environments. As a police detective with 23 years’ experience, including time as a State and Federal Task Force Officer, I have worked with every facet of the law enforcement and public safety system. I am the only candidate who is a Virginia certified law enforcement officer.

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WADKINS – My 10 years of actual hands-on experience administering all aspects (finance, computer systems, kitchen, medical and firearms training) of a large Virginia jail (sheriff's office) under three sheriffs rising to rank of under sheriff, plus 40 years experience in the private sectors of distribution, information technology and medical operations make me uniquely qualified for the position of Henrico County sheriff. Since a lot of my experience has been in the private sector, I have had broad exposure to and use of different ways of accomplishing many goals in cost effective ways.

2. What will be your top focus if elected?

GREGORY – There are four key issues that I will focus on my first year in office: 1.  Recruitment, retention and succession management 2. Seeking opportunities and efforts that will reduce the current inmate population.  3. Audit and review of current inmate healthcare expenses.  4. Audit of internal contracts.

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MATSON – The personnel shortage and continuing exodus of trained, experienced deputies creates an environment that is unsafe for the staff, for the inmates, and for the community as a whole. It is also extremely expensive for taxpayers in overtime spending. I will form a retention panel from across all ranks to provide insight on why personnel are leaving and what can be done to address that. I will increase recruitment efforts for new personnel and focus on improving moral of current deputies. As part of this I will improve training and update equipment, improving the professionalism of the agency.

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WADKINS – Jail overcrowding, high deputy turnover, pay inequity, and high deputy vacancy rate. I will work to remove as many state responsible inmates from Henrico jails as possible thereby reducing overcrowding and stressful working conditions. I will work with county officials to increase deputy pay as I did with the Richmond city administration to increase the salary supplement for all deputy sheriffs in Richmond. Improve training for and equipment used by deputies so they are able to handle the new threats our society faces. Facilitate having Narcan available, with proper training on its use, for all deputies (jail, courts and civil process).

3. What are the most critical issues facing the sheriff’s office? How do you propose to address these?

GREGORY – The most crucial issue that the sheriff's office is facing is overcrowded jail facilities.  I will address this issue by utilizing some of the resolutions and suggestions that will come out the of task force recently created by the county manager to address this very issue.  It has been my experience that impactful change can only be created through collaboration and partnerships and that will be the driving force when I am elected sheriff.

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MATSON – My first priority is increased recruitment and retention (which reduces overtime costs), as addressed above. My second priority to is take substance recovery efforts a step further than now, and work with a variety of resources, including, but not limited to the current RISE and ORBIT programs. I will expand cooperation with other government agencies, such as Community Corrections and Henrico Mental Health, as well as partnering with community resources in public-private partnerships. My third priority is fiscal responsibility. I never forget that tax money is actually money that someone worked hard to earn and pay in taxes, and I'll only spend what's necessary to keep Henrico safe.

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WADKINS – This is really answered in No. 2 above since my top focus will be those outlined critical issues facing the sheriff's office. Overcrowding affects so many aspects of the sheriff's office; tensions among inmates, stress for the employees, overtime dollars expended needlessly by the county and the high employee turnover rate. During my tenure with the Richmond Sheriff's Office we experienced an average daily inmate population of 1,500. This was considerably more than the design or rated capacity of the Richmond jail. It is a problem that can be managed with the correct experience.

4. How will you involve citizens in local government matters?

GREGORY – I plan to continue utilizing volunteers to assist with the programs and services that are currently offered to the inmate population and expand the program by soliciting feedback from the community on additional services that can be added in an effort to foster an environment thatcreates sustainable change.

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MATSON – Citizens will always have a direct line to me as sheriff. I will also institute a Sheriff’s Volunteer program, a Sheriff’s Citizens’ Academy, and conduct programs for the public such as gun safety classes, in order to involve Henrico’s citizens as well as enhance public safety.

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WADKINS – My first goal will be to establish a citizens advisory panel made up of a cross section of citizens to benefit from their advice and experience. I want to start the Eddie Eagle Gun-Safe Program to teach children what to do if they ever come across a firearm. Continue the intern program with VCU and VUU that allows students to attend the Henrico Sheriff’s Office Academy during the summer and receive college credits. After completing the academy, students are sworn in as deputies and able to work in the jail, filling shifts that otherwise would require overtime. Also, I want to continue Project Lifesaver, which is a rapid response program that aids victims and families who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and autism.