I have had the honor to serve as the elected Sheriff of Polk County, since 2015. Prior to this, I began working at the Polk County Sheriff's Office in 1997. I have worked in both the corrections (jail) and patrol divisions throughout my career. Early in my vocation while working inside the jail I learned a great deal about how to talk and interact with a wide variety of people, all with different backgrounds and current needs. Looking back, I wouldn't change a thing. Using all the skills I learned in the jail, I transferred to the patrol division where I worked as a patrol deputy, detective, patrol sergeant and detective sergeant. While working on patrol, deputies work nearly all their own cases. Even if a case is transferred to a detective, the deputy is still involved in the case. We take ownership in being well rounded and capable of handling any calls that come our way. As a detective, I focused on person crimes and higher end property crimes. Later, after earning a promotion to detective sergeant, I supervised the Polk County Inter Agency Narcotics Team (POINT) and the Polk County Major Crimes Team. From investigating multi state drug traffickers to homicide investigations, I really learned the value of helping victims and being vested in the community where I live and work.