Roy Overshiner, Republican

Roy Overshiner

Republican

Washington County Sheriff

Community involvement: Over the many years I have lived in Washington County, I have been involved with the Salem Police Department Summer Youth Shooting Program as one of the creators and instructors. A program designed to help young people to be safe and respectful gun handlers. I worked for many years as a Department of Natural Resources certified Hunter Education Instructor. Teaching hundreds of young children as well as adults of all ages. I worked extensively with the Old Settlers’ Days Festival board of directors. And, functioned as a on cite worker and presenter. I am a Life Member of the Washington County Historical Society. I have been a Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) organization member, a National Rifle Association (NRA) member, a Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) member. And lastly, I have held leadership offices in all the organizations I have been involved with.

Statement about why you are the best candidate for the office: I have a total of 37 years of experience in the law enforcement field. I began my law enforcement career in 1981 as a paid Indiana University Police Cadet, while attending college full time. I have been employed by the Columbus Indiana Police Department, 1982, and the Salem Police Department, 1983-2011, where I retired in 2011 as Major. I have held positions and ranks from Patrolman to Asst. Chief of Police. After retirement, I worked briefly as a substitute school teacher in all three county schools while taking call out contract work as a corporate and executive security consultant both in state and out of state. I have worked as a contractor part time performing special investigations for the Washington County Public Defender’s Office, as well. I am currently employed at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, 2012-present, as a Staff Duty Officer, Officer In Charge (OIC) after regular training hours. I am responsible for a complex of 300 plus acres with three separate specialized areas on the grounds, plus the main training facility. The academy houses up to 300 individuals and is a residential facility. I answer to a Captain and /or the Executive Director. I function as a direct representative of the director in dealing with any and all problems that occur.

I found that the best way to a proper fully developed leader is through good sound training. Which, should be ongoing and advancing. I have always strived to advance my education base in the police career field by taking as much required training, as well as advanced training. To date just in the last ten years I have recorded on file 420 plus hours of training in a multitude of areas from computer use and security to death investigations. As an example in the early 1990s I have trained in Saint Louis, MO at the PPCT International Training Conference and Quantico VA at the Marine Corps Weapons Training Battalion attending a national NRA Law Enforcement Police Rifle Instructor school. I am a certified police instructor. And have taught officers from all over Indiana as well as here in Washington County. I have coordinated and help supervise NRA national level police rifle schools, as well. Space does not a lot me complete listings of my trainings

Washington County is facing an ever increasing drug problem at an alarming rate. Just in the past four years it has spiraled out of control. Along with this the personal and property crime rate has been growing as well because of the rising drug problem. Our human resources needed by the employers in the county are suffering and the drug problem is influencing property value. Our county cannot continue this route and expect to provide a future for our children and grandchildren. We are responsible to them to secure and stabilize events that will shape their lives in the future. I have spent the last three and a half years engaging the community through social media and personal contact. I listened and still listen to the needs of the citizens. After retirement I chose to stay in Washington County even though my work took me out of the county. I have lived both in the county growing up in the Haleysburg community of northern Washington County and then the city working as an adult. And during the last 18 months I have been living back out in the county. I lived the past 6 years as a normal citizen as my police related engagements have been out of county. I have five adult sons and four adult step children. I have 12 grand-children. I do understand and relate to the citizen in a way other candidates do not.

My trainings and experiences, plus those who influenced me over the course of my career both local and from other areas, have caused me to sharpen my since of focus and duty. I have made and retain many persons of contact with a wide variety professional knowledge from which if needed, I can draw from. I am a cause and effect leader not afraid to tactical problems head on. Some of the problems faced at the sheriff department now are the results of not being dealt with head on. I feel problems dealt with in a timely manner will not be a problem of tomorrow. Management should be looked at as needs based. Supervision also reflects directly on leadership and management. These elements all play an interactive role with each other and must be viewed and reviewed on a daily basis. Accountability then can be achieved with more clarity. Better human resource results inside the department and a better public relations with the community.

I do feel I am the best suited candidate for sheriff. At this time and place in our county we need a fresh set of eyes and a fresh new approach to the problems facing our county. Not the same leadership teaching the next hand pick person to do the same things saying they got it under control. With me as sheriff expect a different approach.

We need to “Move Forward For a Safer County” this election.

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