Sheriff's Office command staff goes through reorganization

For the second time in a year, the command staff of the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office is going through a reorganization.

With retirements and resignations, the command staff has taken on a different look from what it was shortly after Alan Jones took over as sheriff last spring.

Jones previously appointed Jeff Stafford as the major or chief deputy, Mike Powell as captain of the criminal investigations division and Mike Longo as the support services captain. They joined Capt. David Anderson (patrol division) and Capt. Chris Brackett (detention center) to form the command staff.

Powell's retirement last year created a vacancy in investigations that was filled by Tracy Pyle. Brackett's resignation earlier this month created another vacancy.

To fill the voids, Jones appointed Pyle as the detention captain to replace Brackett. Needing an experienced lead investigator, Jones moved Stafford into that role and named Anderson as the major. Longo was moved into the patrol division captain's slot, leaving the support services position open for now.

Those new positions for staff members took effect July 1 with the start of the new fiscal year.

The sheriff said he feels comfortable with his restructured command staff.

"They've been part of the command staff; they're just changing divisions," Jones said. "They all know what goes on in other divisions, and they work well together. It's a big relief to be able to take time off and not worry about what's going on here. I know we have guys capable of running the Sheriff's Office in my absence."

Jones said finding an experienced lead investigator was critical, and he knows Stafford, who previously held the position, brings that to the table.

"Finding a division commander for criminal investigations is tough," Jones said. "You've got to have somebody with investigative experience and an administrative background because that's such an important position with any law enforcement agency. We knew it would be tough to find someone for that position, but Jeff said he would take over. He had been in that position before he was the major. He's always been a person who looks out for the divisions within the office, and he knows what is best for the citizens as well as our officers.

"Having a strong investigations division is important."

Anderson has been with the Sheriff's Office for 15 years, working under former sheriffs Roger Hutchings and Gary Clark as well as Jones. He was promoted to patrol division captain when David Bates retired a couple of years ago. As major, his goal is to help keep the department running smoothly.

"I don't want us to have any interruption in the service we provide," Anderson said. "I want to continue to focus on serving the public."

Anderson said his new position would be a challenge but one that he welcomed.

"It will be new to me, but I'm going to do what is best for the citizens of the county and the sheriff," he said. "It takes a coordinated effort to stop the criminal element, and we want the public's help with anything that needs to be investigated."

Jones said Anderson's experience with the Sheriff's Office should serve him well in his role as chief deputy.

"He's been here for a number of years and worked under several sheriffs," Jones said. "That experience he's had will serve him well. He's more than familiar with and understands the inner workings of each division."

Pyle took over as the detention center administrator June 8, and Longo assumes his duties about a year after moving into a command staff role.

Jones said the support services position is open for now as he searches for the right person for that administrative role. He plans to look at experience and training and would like to fill the vacancy in-house if possible. The support services captain is responsible for coordinating training for the department and oversees school resource officers and the DARE program.

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