In law enforcement, results matter. Chuck James has a proven record of getting results for victims and defending the rule of law.
Overseeing nearly 200 employees, Chuck currently serves as the Chief Deputy of the Pickens County Sheriff's Office. Under his leadership, Pickens County has experienced the 2nd largest reduction in property crime and boasts the 3rd lowest violent crime rate in the state.
Chuck’s efforts have helped propel Pickens County’s crime rate well below the state average across nearly every statistical category.
Chuck has devoted over 16 years of his nearly 20-year career in law enforcement to safeguarding Pickens County. Chuck has fought for victims and to keep Pickens County safe, working tirelessly to put violent criminals behind bars and keep drugs off our streets.
From a young age, Chuck felt called to serve his community. Raised by two retired United States Army veterans, leadership was ingrained in him from the beginning. His parents taught a strong sense of duty to his community through public service. This drive led Chuck to pursue a career in law enforcement, where he has applied the same selfless work ethic he learned from his parents - to fiercely advocate for those who needed a voice.
As our community confronts new and evolving challenges with rapid growth, we need a qualified law enforcement leader who has demonstrated the ability to adapt to those evolving challenges.
With his extensive background in uniform patrol, administration, and investigations, coupled with experience handling a broad spectrum of cases like homicides, sexual abuse, property offenses, and financial crimes, Chuck James is uniquely qualified to take on that role. His established record speaks volumes about his ability to achieve meaningful results for our entire community.
As Pickens County approaches a new era, experienced leadership is essential to address the challenges of growth. Since 2010, the county has surged by 12%, with projections indicating a further 7-8% increase by 2030. This rapid growth strains resources that are already limited, particularly for the Sheriff’s Office and emergency services. We must be prepared to meet the demands of growth without negatively affecting the quality of public safety services. To maintain public safety standards, I'll collaborate with the county council to enact a prudent 5-year growth plan, safeguarding law enforcement services amidst escalating demands.
Once elected, I'll boost transparency by appointing a Community Liaison Officer. This deputy will oversee the Sheriff’s Office's involvement in community events, engage stakeholders, manage Community Policing efforts, and provide timely updates during critical events. I'll also organize regular public forums, granting direct access to myself and our Command Staff to address community concerns and enhance understanding of local needs and issues.
Schools are some of the most vulnerable in our community. Under my leadership, the Sheriff's Office will prioritize school safety by expanding training for resource officers, ensuring the protection of our students and staff. I aim to foster a secure learning environment where children can focus on education without safety concerns. If elected, I'll advocate for additional officers in schools with over 1000 students, providing rigorous active threat training during breaks. As Chief Deputy, I secured funding for patrol rifles and gun lockers, equipping officers to combat threats effectively. I'm committed to optimizing their operations through technology and resources. Additionally, we'll introduce anti-drug and anti-bullying programs, led by officers, to prevent a "school to jail" pipeline.
As Sheriff, I'll collaborate with county administration to establish a fair step-pay system, addressing a critical need in Pickens County. This will reward employees for their tenure, reducing talent loss to better-paying neighboring agencies. Retaining experienced staff at PCSO will save taxpayers on costly training expenses, while also preserving institutional knowledge, enhancing promotion opportunities, and minimizing turnover.
Research indicates that jail educational programs can reduce recidivism by 15%. In 2023, the Sheriff’s Office and Pickens County Behavioral Health introduced a grant-funded substance abuse counseling program for inmates, aiming to break the cycle of addiction. As Sheriff, I'll expand on this success by securing more grants for mental health, anger management, and vocational training programs. These initiatives will equip inmates with skills to reintegrate as productive members of society, benefiting both them and the community.
I've always championed innovation, pioneering the digital forensic program in Pickens County and advocating for technological advancements in law enforcement. These tools amplify our deputies' effectiveness in fighting crime, often reducing the need for more personnel. As Sheriff, I'm dedicated to enhancing resources like Live 911, which enables real-time response to emergencies, and expanding our drone program. These technologies significantly cut response times and costs, improving public safety outcomes.
As your next Sheriff, I'll prioritize Constitutional adherence. The framers of the Constitution had the foresight to see that as our country grew, so would federal and state overreach. That is why Article VI, Clause 3 of the US Constitution mandates that executive and judicial officials uphold an oath to the Constitution, recognizing it as a safeguard for citizens' freedoms. It is imperative that our elected officials not only swear an oath to the Constitution but understand why they are swearing that oath and take their commitment seriously. I will always staunchly defend your Constitutional rights.
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