CANDIDATE PROFILES: Sanders County Sheriff

NAME: Shawn Fielders

EDUCATION: High school diploma, 75 credit hours from Linn Benton Community College. Over 4000 documented training hours with the Oregon Police Academy.

OCCUPATION: 27-year retired Sheriff deputy, local small business owner “The Shooters Den” Plains.

What characteristics make you the best candidate for the job? My primary interest is the welfare of the residents of Sanders County, no matter what their political persuasion is. The power of the people is the only thing that gives the Sheriff his / her authority. I believe the Sheriff is entrusted with the welfare, security and community caretaking of all the residents of this county. These principles will always guide my decisions as Sheriff.

Describe your management style and experience. Firm but fair. In my 27 years of experience with a Sheriff’s Office, I have had the opportunity to manage three contract cities for law enforcement services with the Sheriff’s Office, which included supervising, working alongside and managing the deputies assigned to those contracts. I have also managed a large multi-county SWAT Team and all the personnel assigned to it, as well as a patrol team sergeant and search and rescue coordinator. In all these situations, I have learned to treat everyone with respect and listen to their ideas and opinions.

What do you feel is the biggest issue facing law enforcement in Sanders County and why? There are several issues that need to be addressed in Sanders County. The growing drug problem seems to be foremost in everyone’s mind. It is a proven fact that when drug usage goes up, so does property crime and many other “person to person” crimes. One of the biggest issues facing law enforcement is the lack of a coherent plan to address this issue. Building a team concept within the Sheriff’s office as well as the surrounding agencies with particular focus on this growing issue will be key to properly addressing this problem that affects everyone residing within our county.

NAME: Mark French

EDUCATION: BS Microbiology from Montana State University. Medical Tech. Internship from Duke University.

OCCUPATION: Med. Lab Scientist at CFVH in Plains. Med. Lab Scientist contractor at Mineral Community Hospital in Superior Montana. Self produced Ag sales.

What characteristics make you the best candidate for the job? My Laboratory/rural healthcare work requires close attention to detail, follow through, multi-tasking and professional teamwork under stressful conditions. Ranches require genuine labor and creative repairs at inconvenient times. I enjoy teamwork and problem solving. I seek to protect our small town way of life, not power. I understand the Law (Constitutions), the scriptures and respect the Oath of Office. I despise people oppression. I will facilitate a department wide Peace Officer attitude while focusing on interrupting real crime. If you’re not doing wrong, you’ll be left alone. Promoting oath keeping from the correct side of the law.

Describe your management style and experience. Owner/lessor of relatively large farms and ranches here in the valley, raising hay and livestock. Coordinated mechanics, supplies and product marketing for the ranches and approximately ten personnel producing superior, primarily organic products for local and regional distribution. Substantial legal experience from the legislature to the SCOTUS. Management must have vision/goals/focus and merit advancement opportunity. Provide information, instruction, direction and resources. Provide allowable autonomy, stretching maximum potential creating a satisfying work environment. Enjoy seeing people expand their abilities and courage. No micromanagement. Straight forward communication. I am not into woke politically correct moving of the mouth while saying nothing.

What do you feel is the biggest issue facing law enforcement in Sanders County and why? Drugs and the associated theft/property destruction that accompany drug abuse. This has been a worsening problem for generations and I conclude the biggest hindrance to a solution is the Law Enforcement attitude. The Peace Officer attitude will repair that gap, allowing for healthy relationship development, making life better for both the officers, their families, and the people. Good people like Peace Officers and are much more likely to share what they know about the perpetrators. The people supporting the respected and trusted officers equals success stopping local criminals and limiting Federal, State and County oppression of the people.

NAME: Lanny Hensley

EDUCATION: Cody High School, some online college.

OCCUPATION: Sanders County Undersheriff

What characteristics make you the best candidate for the job? Experience- I have been in law enforcement for 27 years- all in rural areas. I understand the value of community relationships and the challenges of working in rural areas. As the current Undersheriff, I thoroughly understand what is needed to move the Sheriff’s Office in a forward direction, and will be immediately ready to do so if elected.

Describe your management style and experience. I believe in leading by example, being open minded and flexible, stepping up and working beside my employees, and setting them up for success. I have been the Sanders County Undersheriff for ten years.

What do you feel is the biggest issue facing law enforcement in Sanders County and why? The combination of recent growth and drug related crime has taxed the daily operational aspects of the Sheriff’s Office. We are not unique in this, as other jurisdictions in the region are facing the same thing. However, we are still a small enough area that we can make a positive difference by strengthening community relationships.

NAME: Roy Scott

EDUCATION: High school and 720 Montana POST credit hours

OCCUPATION: Police Officer

What characteristics make you the best candidate for the job? I believe that I have led by example and been driven by hard work and dedication. I’m not easily swayed and I believe that shows with my unwillingness to bow to political pressure. I have built a reputation amongst local, state and surrounding agencies (in state and out) for cooperation, teamwork and communication. I have both my Montana POST basic and intermediate certificates. I am steadfast.

Describe your management style and experience. I do not like to micro-manage but I will hold my team accountable for poor performance and unethical behavior. I also believe in rewarding those who go the extra mile for our community. I will be fiscally responsible for the budget while using each resident’s tax dollar wisely. I will ensure that my team recieves proper training that is badly needed. I will lead by example from the front. I will not have my team do anything I would not do myself. I will be a working Sheriff. With my 6 years combined experience, (Detention, Deputy, and Police Department, in Sanders County), I am confident that I know the needs of our county.

What do you feel is the biggest issue facing law enforcement in Sanders County and why? As we have many issues to face at this time, I believe the biggest would be addiction and all that follows with it. Drug sales and trafficking, drug abuse, violent crime, domestic violence and sex crimes, child abuse, petty to felony theft and human trafficking often stem from addiction.

NAME: Chris Stough

EDUCATION: Associates Arts, Bachelor of Homeland Security, Public Safety and Emergency Management; Continuing Education in Statics and Analysis. Marine Corps Veteran. Applicable Training & Certifications past / present: USMC Military Police / Counter Terrorism / Reconnaissance & Intelligence/Counterintelligence Training among others. Emergency Management Incident Commander Professional Certification, Scuba / Water Stress and Rescue Instructor, 1st Responder Instructor w / AED, Search and Rescue Response, Behavioral Analysis, Reid Interviewing and Interrogation, Microsoft Technical Certifications, Surveillance and Surveillance Detection Certifications. Certified Expert / Multiple Weapons Instructor, Combative Certifications, various Leadership training, course development and course instruction.

OCCUPATION: Contractor – Department of Defense

What characteristics make you the best candidate for the job? Having served as senior leadership, in both private and public sectors, in 5 continents and 13 countries, I have the most comprehensive and diverse experience to successfully exercise the duties of, and to assemble the most professional and effective Sheriff’s department in Sanders County history. The sheriff is a powerful and influential role; and “broad perspectives”, not bound to the lens of solely “Law Enforcement”, are needed to maximize a scalable and comprehensive public service entity. I will be tough on victim oriented crimes such as Human & Drug Trafficking, violence, thefts; as well as crimes against our constitutional rights.

Describe your management style and experience. I am a visionary and team builder. As a Sheriff I will serve as a peacemaker…someone who understands the law, prioritizes the safety of the community, and acts as a voice of reason to rekindle the spirit of self-accountability and purpose. I will engage our community - our children, our schools, our businesses, our seniors; seeking wisdom so as not to rule by force of law; but to preserve the peace and prosperity within our community and to educate and stand with our citizens in a cooperative effort to mutually protect our Life, our Liberty and our Property.

What do you feel is the biggest issue facing law enforcement in Sanders County and why? There is a lot of work to do. We have transient human and drug trafficking along the HWY 200 corridor, methamphetamines manufacturing within our communities, and many other issues that need a cooperative and collaborative department, working at its best to engage these matters. Our department needs clear and concise leadership, vision, and mission. We need to clearly define the top 5 initiatives of our deputies when they depart on patrol each day, and finally, we need the best training and equipment available for our deputies. To accomplish this, we need synergy within the department and our community.

NAME: Corey J. Wheeldon

EDUCATION: High School Graduate, United States Marine Corps training and numerous Leadership and Management Courses, some College, Montana Law Enforcement Academy, several instructor certifications in Defensive Tactics, Certified Primary Instructor, Field Training Officer

OCCUPATION: Deputy Sheriff in Montana for last 16 Years

What characteristics make you the best candidate for the job? Law Enforcement is the only job I wanted to do as a young child, I’ve worked hard to get where I am. I’ve been a Leader, mentor, instructor since I was 18 and at almost 45 now, I know I’m only as good as those around me, so I strive to help those around me be the best they can be. I’ve worked for a large Sheriff’s Office and being here in Sanders County, I see the shortcomings of the Office as a whole and I know how to fix the issues, so there will not be a delay in effective change.

Describe your management style and experience. In the Marines and in Law Enforcement, I have led teams from 55 men to 8. In my experience an effective leader has to have direct knowledge of those under their charge. A good leader knows their people, their strengths and weaknesses. A good leader should strive to improve the abilities and knowledge of their team, as well as assign the right people to the right job tasks. Leadership/management takes patience, understanding, good coaching, and when needed corrective action. Please visit my website for further information on my experience https://wheeldonforsheriff.com

What do you feel is the biggest issue facing law enforcement in Sanders County and why? I will utilize experience and training to improve the agency through direct supervision, investigative reports will be professional and usable which will lead to more thorough investigations and prosecutions will increase on all crimes. Deputies are not mentored on the job but put through the Academy and sent out to enforce laws and preserve the peace without knowing the laws or shown where to find them. Deputies have to make their own decisions which often aren’t correct and leave the citizens feeling unsatisfied. The role of law enforcement has changed, we are called to be psychologists, social workers, problem solvers, and educators not just ticket writers.