CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

Laramie County Sheriff Glick announces re-election bid

Wyoming Tribune-Eagle - 5/17/2018

May 17--CHEYENNE -- Laramie County Sheriff Danny Glick announced his bid Wednesday to keep his spot as one of Laramie County's top law enforcement officials.

Glick told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle that he decided to run again, in part, because it would allow him to continue living out his "dream" of being in law enforcement in Laramie County.

"The people that work at this agency, we've become such a team," he said. "To run for sheriff again and ask people for one of the greatest gifts that they possess -- their vote -- is an honor for me, and I don't take it for granted."

Glick, a Republican, was first elected sheriff in 2002, but he has worked in law enforcement for more than 30 years.

If elected for another four-year term, Glick said he'd continue to focus on building relationships with other law enforcement agencies and the public in order to prevent or react quickly to various incidents.

"Nobody has enough people right now to stand alone or be an island. That interagency cooperation is so vital," Glick said.

"There (also) has to be an interaction between the public and us, and we have to be able to build a public trust where they're comfortable coming to us, talking to us. We can't be everywhere," he said.

Glick also touted the successes of newer programs in the department, such as a youth crisis center that aims to help kids in need to work through problems with their families.

Other programs include the sex offender watch, which tracks sex offenders and oversees registration; an inmate work program that allows Laramie County jail inmates to volunteer at the local animal shelter; and a new program that aims to reduce recidivism for second-time DUI offenders, Glick said.

But there's also room for growth and improvement, he said.

Last year, the Wyoming Legislature cut funding for a law enforcement division that investigated livestock crimes. Local agencies have taken on the burden, and Glick said his deputies are working on filling that void.

"We've developed a program where the rural deputies are going in and meeting with ranchers and trying to identify brands, contact people ... so if something happens, we have those contacts," he said.

The sheriff also said he wants to look for ways to expand the county's school resource officer program.

This year, the sheriff's department sent its first deputy into Laramie County School District 1 to help protect students, conduct safe home visits for students, or do drug and alcohol counseling.

Glick said he'd love to find more ways to get deputies into schools to interact with kids and provide protection. But before those programs can expand, they need money.

Glick has long maintained that government entities, like the public, need to tighten their belts during economic downturns. He said he asks for more positions, and the county has granted them when the budget allowed, but with a growing population in the county, Glick said he's had to get creative.

One way has been through seeking outside grants -- with a caveat.

"For us to get grants to make the services we provide better, I don't see an issue with that as long as we don't sign our lives away. I don't like us having to make a promise to get those monies," he said.

But even in moments where more staff is needed, everybody, including higher-ranking officers, pitch in, Glick said.

"When it comes time for jobs to get done, I've got lieutenants that go out on the streets because we're short ... no matter what your rank is, when it's time to do a job, you get the job done," he said.

"I'm so proud of these guys. We've built a team where everybody supplements each other to make us successful, but also give the absolute best services back to the public."

The filing period for office begins today and runs through June 1. So far, one other Republican, Greg Taylor, has announced he intends to run against Glick.

___

(c)2018 Wyoming Tribune-Eagle (Cheyenne, Wyo.)

Visit Wyoming Tribune-Eagle (Cheyenne, Wyo.) at www.wyomingnews.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.