My Priorities

My priorities for the Autauga County Sheriff’s Office and the service that it provides to our community will not be just for one community of Autauga County, but for every community in Autauga County. During my first term I would like to see the Sheriff’s Office finally come into the 21st century of Law Enforcement by introducing new technology, skilled training for Sheriff’s Deputies and Jail Staff.  I would furthermore increase patrol responsibilities by enforcing proactive policing activity throughout the entire County. Autauga County Deputies that serve should be well trained and respected throughout the entire State. Autauga County has some of the best Law Enforcement officers who are working for minimum pay, outdated equipment and their desired Law Enforcement training to help further their career. I plan on unlocking these barriers for the Autauga County men and women in Law Enforcement by working with the County Commission. I believe we should honor the Deputies and Law Enforcement officers that came before us and are no longer with us, by setting dates aside that we honor their legacy and show long due respect. Autauga County has many of its citizen that are retired Law Enforcement and Military. These honorable citizens have a vast wealth of knowledge and experience. As your newly elected Sheriff I will seek these honorable citizens to teach and share their knowledge with the Deputies of Autauga County Sheriff’s Office and Jail Staff.

As your Sheriff, public safety services will be provided in a fair and impartial manner. My duty is to ALL citizens regardless of Politics, Race, Religion, Gender, Nationality, Sexual Orientation, or Opinion. I have worked well with all segments of society and ask that you note my experience, leadership, education, training, and proven track record of positive accomplishments in and outside of Autauga County.

The Sheriff’s Department will work with the County Commission for the funding of the Sheriff’s office. What can’t be provided by the Commission we will seek grants for what the Deputies need. As a supporter of the 2nd Amendment I applaud State leaders for passing HB272. I am glad to know as your Sheriff I will not have to violate your 2ndAmendment rights. To also offset this loss of revenue for the Sheriff’s Office it will take a Sheriff with energy and being able to think outside the box of the Sheriff’s office to get what is needed for the Sheriff’s Office. It can be done with fun community events such as a Sheriff’s Rodeo to bring in revenue.

As your new Sheriff we will be aggressive in the enforcement of drug crimes in our communities. We will stop the flow drugs in our county jail. We conduct random drug testing to prevent the ones protecting and serving from using illegal narcotics while on duty. We will do back ground investigations of current Autauga County Deputies / Jail Staff as well as newly hired deputies/jail staff to make sure we have the law enforcement officers with integrity to serve and protect. We look at ways to finish the Autauga County Jail and utilize the space for housing those incarcerated to eliminate overcrowding.

As the Autauga County Sheriff we will seek advice from an Attorney to make sure decisions of the deputies on calls can handle family matters of the court correctly. We will uphold orders of the court signed by a Judge without prejudice. As your Sheriff we will make sure every decision of the Office I hold are handled appropriately and not based on you knowing me or who your political connections are. Under my leadership we will have investigators of crime to follow up to ensure that the cases are resolved quickly, thorough and for the best outcome possible for the victims. When we hand a case over to the District Attorney’s Office it will be thourough, complete and the absolute best case to be presented for prosecution of perpetrators in crimes.

As your Sheriff the Deputies will not become soley traffic enforcement deputies. The Sheriff’s Department will become more Pro-active in enforcement of all crimes. The restrictions on Deputies will be released even during election times. This will allow the Deputies to Prevent and Deter Crime throughout Autauga County. We will train the deputies in all aspects of Law Enforcement consistantly. We will have a training facility for our Deputies for firearms and classroom training. This will not be a indoor firearms facility due to Legal Liability of our County and it will not be funded by anyone seeking control of the facility for personal gain. We will train and retain the deputies we send to the Law Enforcement Academy. We can not continue to be a stepping stone for other agencies for initial training. We will work with and train with our Volunteer Fire Departments. This will help in assisting on accident scenes, Search and Rescue Operations, and house fires. We have a great asset in volunteer fire departments and they need our support during these operations in our county.

I would be honored to wear the Sheriff’s Star as a symbol of public trust and to serve just as I have done with the Prattville Police Department for more than 22 years. Effective law enforcement leaders must possess the desire and ability to recognize deficiencies, make difficult and sometimes unpopular decisions to effect positive change. This thoughtful type of leadership will consistently enhance professionalism and service to the public. An effective law enforcement leader leads from the front with compassion within the community and not sitting behind a desk. I am well aware of the challenges and complexities facing law enforcement in and around our community. My goal is to protect and preserve Autauga County’s quality of life, protect our 1st and 2nd Amendment Right, while keeping our churches and schools safe. I have the experience necessary to not only enforce State Laws but also Federal Law. I am a Republican candidate for Sheriff and believe that “We the People” is the foundation of our Government and the Sheriff is the first line of Defense of our Constitution and the rights it protects for the citizens of Autauga County. Please Vote for Mark Harrell, May 24, 2022 as your next Autauga County Sheriff.