Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

Date of Birth: February 8, 1960

Place of Birth: Durham, North Carolina

Occupation: Sheriff of Chatham County

Family: Wife; Teri, Children; Audrie, Austin, Andrew

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Education: Associates Degree in Business Administration, Central Carolina Community College Sanford, NC

Employer: Chatham County Sheriff's Office

Political Experience: Successful run for Sheriff in 2002 and 2006

Community Involvement: Member of Pittsboro United Methodist Church, Siler City Rotary Club, Bynum Ruritan Club, North Carolina Sheriff's Association, and United Way Evaluation Committee. (For more see the "about Sheriff Webster" link on the Sheriff's Office website).

Candidate Statement:

I am seeking re-election for Chatham County Sheriff on November 2, 2010. I believe in strong, professional law enforcement for all the residents of Chatham County and I aspire to continue my plans and goals set forth in 2002. When I came to the Chatham County Sheriff's Office in 1990 and over the next decade, I saw a great need for an administration that operated with integrity and professionalism. When the people of Chatham County elected me as their Sheriff in 2002, they trusted me to carry out my goals set forth in my campaign. My plans and goals set forth during the campaigns of 2002 and 2006 are in place, but there is more to be done. The Chatham County Sheriff's Office today is a professional and respected office in the state of North Carolina. It is my goal to maintain that status and expand the office in this capacity even more. There are 3 issues that I consider priorities: community relations, crime detection and investigation and professionalism of staff.

My community relations philosophy is different than the previous administrations. I have initiated a program where my deputies are involved in a wide variety of community organizations and events. Having officers participate in community events on a regular basis, allows the public to see them as a community partner instead of an adversary. Together, the officers and community members can work together to educate the public about important issues such as property crime, drug prevention, gang education, etc.

8 years ago, I pointed out  that if deputies were more involved with our communities the crime rate would drop. Since 2002, crime in Chatham County has decreased dramatically with a current crime rate that is one of the lowest in the state. Our clearance rate for crime is at 44 percent; an all time high for Chatham County.

Maintaining professionalism in the Chatham County Sheriff's Office is an ongoing practice in our office. The Chatham County Sheriff's Office hires the best and most-qualified officers in order to generate high employee morale and pride in the office. I believe attitude is the most important thing when hiring a new employee. People have training and skills for a job but attitudes and work ethic are a part of one's character. It is those intangible qualities not stated in a resume that I look for in a new employee.