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Leon County's new sheriff said that his administration is focusing on regaining the public's trust in law enforcement.
Sheriff Jerry Wakefield, who took office Thursday, said he soon will make small changes in staffing and equipment within the department to improve the morale of the officers.
"Our goal is just to make sure that we get the trust of the public back," he said. "While I was campaigning there were people in the county who said they felt unsatisfied that the sheriff's department wasn't doing what needed to be done."
Wakefield, who is a Republican, won the race with 60 percent of the vote in November over two-term incumbent Democratic Sheriff Mike Price.
Price, who was elected to the top law enforcement slot in 2000, declined Friday to respond to Wakefield's comments, saying: "I did the best I knew how to do with what I had to work with for eight years, and if the folks didn't want it that's fine with me."
Wakefield said he will keep most of Price's staff of about 30 people, including the chief deputy. Two deputies were fired by Wakefield, who declined to release their names.
"They've already been advised, but due to the Texas Association of Counties, I do not comment on any reason for not rehiring staff," he said.
Wakefield, 60, and his wife, who is a retired Leon County chief deputy tax assessor-collector, operate a ranch in Centerville.
Wakefield worked almost 30 years for the Department of Criminal Justice at various prisons and in several administrative roles before retiring in 1996. After his retirement, he attended the police academy and at age 50 began working with the Leon County Sheriff's Department as a reserve officer for two years before transferring to the Buffalo Police Department, where he worked until his election.
Wakefield's win is, at least in part, the result of persistence: He lost bids for sheriff to Price in 2000 and 2004.
"I've always wanted to be a leader in law enforcement in my community," he said.
Wakefield said he hopes "good supervision" will raise the morale of officers in the department and increase a feeling of safety among residents.
"I'm not saying the other sheriff wasn't doing an adequate job. It just might have been the way he approached his officers," he said. "I think I can give that to them, and they all seem to be out there trying a little bit harder."
His first priority, Wakefield said, will be replacing the outdated vehicles in the sheriff's office fleet, which he said is in an "equipment crisis."
He said the department's' budget will allow him to replace at least three vehicles in his first year.
"We're trying to make do with what we have until we can purchase new equipment," he said. "We don't have any choice."
Wakefield also said he plans to restructure patrol routes to better cover Leon County.
Price said he plans to eventually seek employment but is concentrating on tasks at home for now.
"I really haven't put a lot of thought into it yet," he said Friday.
