Chester L. Ward has served as a deputy with the Pender County Sheriff’s Office for just over two decades. He also served as a Pender County Commissioner from 2010–2014.
Check out all of the candidates here
Pender County Sheriff – Primary Election 2018
Ward is one of seven candidates for Pender County Sheriff are competing in the 2018 Republican Primary Election; the winner, chosen May 8, will face off against Democrat Lawrence Fennell.
Current Sheriff Carson Smith has served four terms, but will not run for reelection; he will instead run to replace Representative Chris Millis, who stepped down from his position in September.
The Pender County Sheriff oversees an office in charge of nearly a thousand square miles with manpower that has, historically, been limited in part due to Pender’s relatively low population density. Five times the size of New Hanover County, Pender has about one fifth the population.
In order to run, candidates must have established Pender County residency 90 days before filing. In the November election, one candidate will be elected to a four-year term and paid a $101,137 salary, plus health benefits. Arrests made by the Pender County Sheriff’s deputies are tried in the 5th District Court by the office of District Attorney Ben David.
Editor’s note: at the time of publication, five of the candidates had responded to questions. Responses from remaining candidates will be added if and when they are received.
The questions
School safety is on everyone’s mind. How would you address those concerns, both in schools and in the community?
I’d like to develop a procedure using technology to inform parents and community members about pertinent information which does not impede officers from handling a situation with an intruder.
Counselors, social workers and special investigators must join efforts to identify problematic behavior of students and then create a database of this information. We must consider becoming a bridge for parents of students with mental illness and/or who demonstrate erratic behavior at school. We must address the repeated misuse of social media, such as cyberbullying and digital drama by students.
The Pender County Sheriff’s Office has a lot of ground to cover – do you feel the office has sufficient manpower to do so? What is your plan to utilize the office’s resources to the fullest without neglecting either the eastern or western part of the county?
Resources are limited; however, the eastern side of the county is more populated with people and traffic, whereas the western side is more open. My desire is not to look at them separately, but to address the needs of the county as a whole.
What experience do you have handling a government budget?
As a Pender County commissioner for four years, my experience with government budgeting involved working with an operational budget of approximately $56 million from property taxes, financing bonds, etc.
What is your vision for how the Pender County Sheriff’s Office will handle the opioid crisis?
Increasing personnel staff in our narcotic division, then partnering with task forces of other agencies, and offering support to families affected by opioid drug users.
When, if ever, was the last time you had a hands-on role in a criminal case (i.e. from arrest, to the magistrate, to court, and giving testimony)?
My last testimony was in Superior Court during a murder which happened in 2013, the case was heard in 2017.
Do you feel that arrests made by the Pender County Sheriff’s Office are adequately pursued in court by prosecutors in the District Attorney’s office?
Yes.
The sheriff is a law enforcement agent, but also an administrator. Have you ever managed an organization of 50 or more individuals – if so, when? What was your management strategy?
Yes, during my tenure as a Pender County Commissioner (2010-2014).
The sheriff must also delegate effectively, especially to a second in command. Who do you plan to put in that role and what are his/her credentials?
The person who I have chosen is one who has law enforcement credentials, a proven track record of professionalism, ability to establish rapport with others, and suitable leadership skills. This individual will bring expertise and experience from an agency that will attribute a different lens not currently in our Sheriff’s Office.
Has your personal or professional conduct ever been seriously called in question in the course of any employment?
No.
