Candidate: Dale Lane
Candidate for: Sheriff
Birthplace: Memphis
Marital Status: Married
Children: 3
Educational Background: Masters
High School: Memphis
College: Crichton College
Party Affiliation:Republican
Campaign Website: www.dalelaneforsheriff.com
Campaign Phone: 901-301-8088
Current Occupation: Director Shelby County Office of Preparedness
Brief Background:
The most important thing in my life is my relationship with Christ. That relationship requires that I love HIM with all my heart and love my neighbor as myself. The second most important thing in my life is my wife Karen and my family. We have been married over 30 years. We have three adult children and one grandson. Third is my community. I have been honored to serve in law enforcement/public safety for over 30 years and I know the best days of Shelby County are ahead of us!
I want to lead a whole community approach to fighting crime. I will create a youth violence strike force with three focus areas- prevention, intervention, and suppression. I will do everything in my power to bring our business community, faith based organizations, and community leaders together to create opportunity for all our youth.
I started my career in 1987 with the Millington Police Department and joined the Sherifff’s Office in 1989 progressing through the ranks to Chief Inspector. In 2014, I became the Director of the Shelby County Office of Preparedness. I have a masters degree from the University of Arkansas and I am a FBI National Academy graduate.
I have proven the ability to lead positive change and I will do this as your sheriff to reduce crime, reduce fear, and improve the quality of life for all. Our focus will be on combating violent crime and rebuilding trust. I have the endorsements of Mayor Luttrell and every suburban mayor in the county. I am running unopposed in the republican primary.
Community Involvement:
I am a member of First Assembly Memphis where I serve on the deacon board.
I have been a mentor in the Tennessee Achieves program.
I serve on the Criminal Justice advisory board for Southwest Tennessee Community College.
I am a former youth sports coach.
I teach at local college in the organizational leadership program.
1. In your opinion, what are the top three major issues facing the district you wish to represent? What concrete solutions do you propose to address these issues?
1. Violent Crime: Today many of our youth have turned to gangs. We as a community must do everything in our power to prevent our young people from going down this path. We must have jobs and opportunities for those who want to get out of gangs and we must disrupt, displace, and suppress criminal gang activity.
2. Trust between Law Enforement and the Community- At every level of the Sheriff’s Office we will have two main operating philosophies (1) have a problem solving mentality meaning give every person and every situation our very best and never say “its not my job” (2) building partnerships -getting into the community developing relationships.
3. Making sure our jail is operated with the utmost professionalism- Do all we can to ensure a safe environment for staff and those incarcerated. Work to reduce the length of stay for non-violent offenders to prevent over crowding.
2. What are the biggest issues and needs facing the youth of your district? What will you do to address those needs?
1. Opportunity- I will work with the business community and faithbased organizations to provide opportunities for our youth to prevent gang involvement.
2. School safety- I will work with the county commission to get more school resource officers in our schools and more resources for our teachers to identify at-risk students.
3. From your perspective, what is the job description of the office you’re seeking? What expertise will you bring to the position and what in your background/experience has prepared you for this elected position?
Chief Law Enforcement Officer of the county-I have over 30 years law enforcement/public safety experience. I have a masters degree from the University of Arkansas and I am a graduate of the FBI National Academy.
I have proven throughout my career that I can lead positive change and improve the quality of life for those who work with me and the citizens we serve. I have proven ability in building partnerships and coalitions that will be required to make our community safer.
4. Do you feel that the average citizen is well-informed and understands the workings of (federal/state/municipal) government? If not, how do you intend on improving communication with your constituency?
We must do a better job in marketing our successes. When citizens see the hard work of their government officials, it instills confidence and reduces fear. I will ensure that the Sheriff’s Office is managed with transparency and that we are responsive to our community.
We will highlight the partnerships within the community and encourage the community to get involved “join the team.”
5. Do you support granting economic incentives particularly use of PILOTS to prospective companies looking to locate or expand in Shelby County, and why? What if any alternative measures would you propose to attract new investment to Shelby County?
The best way that the Sheriff can help in attracting new business is by making our community and our schools safer. Our goal will be to demonstrate through results that our community is safe and encourage businesses to invest in Shelby County.
6. How do you plan on sustaining and improving our public transportation system?
I will always be part of discussions that improve the quality of life for our citizens. I will support efforts to identify new technology that will make public transportation more efficient and safer.
7. What measure(s) would you propose to aid school funding? Do you favor a sales tax increase? Why or Why not?
Before we consider any new tax we must be sure that all waste, duplication of effort, and that new technology has been considered to make our schools systems more efficient.
8. How do you propose we improve public education in Shelby County with the ongoing fragmentation of schools and increased school funding pressures?
We must make sure that we have the best trained and equipped teachers in our school system. We must work with the legislature to ensure proper funding.
9. Would you support initiatives to address disparities in regard to environmental justice issues? (Like the disproportionate amount of industrial areas and waste treatment in minority communities) If so, what would they be?
Yes I would be supportive of initiatives that would create specific industrial zones that would not have an adverse impact on residential areas possibly special commnercial areas.
10. What do you think we can do to prevent and reduce crime in our communities?
1. Lead a whole community approach to fighting crime.
2. Rebuild the trust between law enforcement and the community by fostering relationships and giving the community a voice on how resources are allocated.
3. Develop a youth violence task force with three focus areas; prevention, intervention, and suppression.
4. Lead the Sheriff’s Office with transparency and accountability.
5. Ensure that deputies are well trained, equipped, and committed to excellence.
6. Build partnerships, bulid partnerships, build partnerships at every level.
11. What do you consider your highest priority? When it comes to their job function, duties and responsibilities?
1. Highest priority is reducing violent crime, reducing fear, and improving the overall quality of life for our citizens.
2. Ensuring that our student’s have a safe environment to learn in.
3. Making sure that our jail is safe and that we reduce the length of stay for non-violent offenders.
12. What are your ideas to increase revenue or lower costs of government within Shelby County?
1. Highest priority is reducing violent crime, reducing fear, and improving the overall quality of life for our citizens.
2. Ensuring that our student’s have a safe environment to learn in.
3. Making sure that our jail is safe and that we reduce the length of stay for non-violent offenders.
13. Have you ever been convicted or found liable of non-payment of taxes, perjury, bribery, non-payment of child support, non-payment of court-ordered alimony, or any other instance of financially-related incidents that may be considered fraud or public corruption? Circumstances if yes?
No}
14. Identify three of the most critical long-term needs for Shelby-County and explain why they are necessary.
1. Safety for our citizens- A safe community will spur economic development, more jobs for our citizens, and more funding for our schools.
2. Education- we must ensure that our children get the very best education so that they are prepared for the available jobs. This will not only improve their quality of life but will reduce the chances they turn to a life of crime.
3. County Debt- We must continue to reduce the county debt so that we have the ability to invest in education, public safety, and attracting new companies to our county.
15. What other priorities would you focus on if elected? Why are those important and how would you go about accomplishing them?
1. My focus will be on combating youth crime. Our suspects and victims are getting younger (usually under 25). I want to break this cycle and bring a message of HOPE.
2. Safer Schools – I want to counter the gang influence in our schools and provide a different path forward.
