CLEVELAND, Tenn. — Republican candidates for Bradley County sheriff outlined why voters should choose them during a political forum Tuesday night.
Chip Bryant, Jim Ruth, Ralph Creel and Jimmy Smith are seeking the GOP nomination to succeed Tim Gobble, who is a candidate for Congress. The winner faces Steve Lawson, unopposed in the Democratic Party primary, in August. Mr. Lawson did not attend the forum organized by the Cleveland Rotary Club.
The candidates agreed there is already a level of cooperation among city and county, state and federal law enforcement.
Mr. Smith said some investigative departments of city and county law enforcement could be combined.
“I believe there are aspects of the sheriff’s department that could be combined with the city of Cleveland,” he said, such as narcotics investigations and the criminal investigations divisions. To save tax money, he advocated moving away from direct supervision at the jail and taking a new look at renting garage space.
Mr. Ruth pointed out he has 10 years of experience with the Cleveland Police Department as well as many years at the sheriff’s department.
“One thing I’ve talked about is promoting that spirit of cooperation,” he said. He said the department must live within current economic constraints, including spending for vehicles and fuel.
Mr. Creel said he would work to build on the existing cooperation not only among law enforcement agencies but with the Bradley County Commission. A former commissioner, Mr. Creel said he can work with commissioners to develop future budgets.
Mr. Bryant told the crowd direct supervision is the best alternative for the jail. More supervision means less vandalism and assaults and saves money, he said.
“I would like to see some legislation at the state level that they (inmates) pay for their own keep,” Mr. Bryant said, “unless they are indigent.”
The forum, attended by hundreds at the Museum Center at Five Points, included candidates for county mayor, Congress and governor.