Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

Van Duncan, Candidate for Sheriff, 46 years of age

Education: Mitchell High School, 1982; Bachelor of Science degree from Western Carolina University, 1986; Administrative Officers Management Program, North Carolina State, 1993; 23 years of law enforcement experience; Weaverville Police Officer; Asheville Police Officer; Buncombe County Sheriff's Office patrol, criminal investigations, administrative training sergeant, patrol lieutenant, and Special Response Team (team leader); Chief of Company Police, Biltmore Estate; Instructor/Coordinator North Carolina Justice Academy, Management & Supervision section.

I was born in Spruce Pine, NC, and have lived in Western North Carolina all my life. I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement at a very early age. After graduating from high school, I attended Western Carolina University and completed their criminal justice program. I went to work in Buncombe County shortly thereafter for the Town of Weaverville. I also had the opportunity to work at the Asheville Police Department and the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office. In 1994, I accepted a job as Chief of Company Police for the Biltmore Estate. I worked for the Biltmore Estate for six years and then returned to the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office as a criminal investigator for the next four years. Two and a half years prior to being elected Sheriff, I worked for the North Carolina Justice Academy as an Instructor/Coordinator in the Management/Supervision section.

I have been married to my wife, Shana Randall Duncan, for 17 years. She is a Buncombe County native and works as a realtor. We have three sons and we attend New Life Community Church in Woodfin, NC.

The Buncombe County Sheriff's Office has made great strides in improving service and professionalism over the past 3 1/2 years. We have reorganized many divisions at the Sheriff's Office. Patrol reorganization focused on lowering emergency response times and putting more officers on the road during high volume call times. We increased Patrol by hiring additional deputies and reorganizing our existing personnel. With these changes in place, we were able to lower average emergency response times from just under 12 minutes to 9 1/2 minutes.

Criminal Investigations was reorganized to include field investigators/B&E team. Our Evidence and Property Room was totally reorganized and a professional evidence technician was hired. Now all evidence is entered electronically with a bar code attached for accurate tracking and successful prosecution of cases. We implemented much more investigative training for our detectives and established a major case squad for dealing with violent criminal offenses. Our clearance rate of cases over the past 3 1/2 years has improved 18% in 2006 to 48% in 2009.

We implemented significant changes at our Detention Center. With the County's participation, we have effectively managed jail population and lowered average population numbers. Our Detention Center was the first in the nation to be designated as a Secure Communities facility that did not already have a 287(g) agreement. Because of Secure Communities, everyone who is arrested and printed in our facility receives an immigration check by Immigration Customs & Enforcement.

We have developed successful partnerships with other law enforcement agencies to include the Buncombe County Anti-crime Task Force, Highway Drug Interdiction Team, and WNC Gang Task Force. We have a strong partnership with Buncombe County Schools focusing on our youth.

It has been an honor serving as your Sheriff. I am asking for your support to keep our Sheriff's Office moving forward.