Richard Robinson: Sheriff's candidate pledges professionalism and transparency

To The Daily Sun,

I’m running for Sheriff of Belknap County because I believe now is the time for new leadership. My careers in law enforcement and business are characterized by honesty, integrity and competence. I will also bring to the Sheriff’s Department a commitment to professionalism and transparency. The citizens of Belknap County deserve nothing less.

My professional career started with the Sanbornton Police Department, where I spent 20 years, the last seven as chief. Upon retiring from the chief’s position, I went to work at AutoServ for 17 years, and retired as General Sales Manager overseeing 100 employees and managing multi-million dollar budgets. My wife Rhonda and I live in Sanbornton and have been married for 35 years. We have two children and five grandchildren. Belknap County is our home and we care deeply about how our public agencies are led and managed.

I believe public leadership starts with prioritizing the laws sheriffs uphold and fulfilling responsibilities without fear or favoritism. Being sheriff of Belknap County should not be a partisan political position. I believe in serving people. I’m not a politician. I never wanted to run for office. But I believe the residents of Belknap County should have the utmost confidence in a professional Sheriff’s Department.

Much has been written about recent investigations at the Sheriff’s Department. It has raised a number of concerns and questions. I want to be clear – I don’t know all the facts and I have no political agenda. If elected, I intend to review what happened and, if necessary, hold people accountable. At this time, with law enforcement under incredible stress, compounded by intense public scrutiny, the Belknap County Sheriff’s Department is ready for new leadership that takes steps to ensure public trust and confidence.

If elected, I vow to bring my over 30 years of professional leadership experience to the Sheriff’s Department. I believe in leading by example and never asking something of an employee that I wouldn’t do myself. My private sector experience taught me that being fiscally conservative and making strategic investments based on best practices is more important now than ever – after all, the Sheriff’s budget consists of your tax dollars and taxpayers have a right to know how that money is spent.

I look forward to this campaign and continuing to hear from voters. I’d be honored to have your support on Nov 3.

Richard Robinson

Sanbornton