Submitted By
Chris Hartley
Personal Background and Experience
Family Status: Married with 3 Children
Experience: Former United States Merchant Marine Officer and Local Law Enforcement Officer
Experience: Former Owner of Multiple Local Businesses
Religious Affiliation: Christian, The Journey Church
“Throughout my time as a law enforcement officer, I have been fortunate enough to wear many hats. From working in the patrol division to street level narcotics and corrections, these very different experiences have shaped who I am today. I also had the honor of working with the Drug Enforcement Agency as well as the United States Secret Service. I am proud to maintain my 100% capture record when it comes to tracking, locating, and returning fugitives to Nassau County.”
Candidate Questionnaire for the position of Nassau County Sheriff
1. How will you strengthen the relationship between the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO), the City of Fernandina Beach Police Department (FBPD), and other law enforcement agencies?
As a candidate, I have already started the process. I have met with the top officials at the FBPD and the State Attorney’s Office on numerous occasions. I have shared my intentions to develop a working relationship with both agencies so that we may better serve our citizens. The officials at both agencies have expressed not only their willingness to work with me, but they too have advised of their desires to have all of our departments working together. I will not wait until taking office in January, immediately following the election I will begin implementing my plans to make the sheriff’s office the most efficient and respected department possible.
2. Assuming a stronger relationship between the NCSO and the FBPD is developed, what cost savings measures have you identified that will benefit both organizations?
Again, as a candidate, I have already begun to discuss this with the FBPD. I fully intend to work directly with them to provide the best possible services for all of Nassau County. I have shared my vision of using a joint emergency response team and a joint narcotics task force that consists of employees from both agencies. These units would serve city and county residents alike and the funding would not have to be burdened by a single agency. I have several similar programs that I would discuss with The FBPD, The Drug Enforcement Administration and the State Attorney’s Office.
3. What changes would you consider to improve or change existing policies with respect to recruiting, training, and deploying deputies?
This is an area in which my expertise will benefit us all. Employee recruitment and retention is an area in which you establish a reputation of being a fair and honest person to work for. When you treat an employee with dignity and respect it is then that you will get the best that they have to offer. Showing appreciation to an employee for a job well done will many times compensate for not being able to reward them financially. When you have a staff with good morale then it shows through their performance, which in turn will allow the citizen to receive better service. It has always been a top priority of mine to establish a reputation that will attract the best of the best law enforcement personnel.
4. How will you create a positive atmosphere among staff and improve the image of the NCSO?
I will lead by example. I will show that I am willing to roll up my sleeves and work with anyone that is interested in making our community a better place. I will treat every person, staff and public, fair and equal. I will not cater to special interest groups and I will honor all of my commitments. And, most importantly, I will remain obedient and true to my values and beliefs.
5. Identify your top priorities during your first month on the job?
I will establish the best possible relationships with the community, the staff and all of the surrounding law enforcement agencies. I will identify and target problems and/ or weaknesses within the department and immediately begin to rectify them. I will create an environment of professionalism that will be second to none and one that establishes a reputation that will make all of the citizens of Nassau County proud of their Sheriff’s Office.
Editor’s note: The Fernandina Observer submitted 5 questions to candidates running for Nassau County Sheriff. In separate posts (order chosen my random drawing), we will present candidate answers to our questionnaires. We thank all of our candidates for giving our readership the opportunity to be informed on issues that impact our community. Early voting begins August 4. Election day is August 14.
August 1, 2012 7:30 a.m.