CANDIDATE PROFILES: Sanders County Sheriff

NAME: SHAWN FIELDERS

OCCUPATION: Retired Deputy Sheriff / Self employed

EDUCATION: Highschool, 74 College Credits, 4000 documented police training hours.

 What qualities make you the best candidate for this position?

First and foremost, I truly care about the future of our community and will work tirelessly to maintain and protect this community’s values as well as its citizens. I bring 27 years of Sheriff’s Office experience to Sanders County. I have been involved in almost every aspect of the services the Sheriff’s Office provides, patrol, all aspects of criminal investigation, forest patrol, search and rescue, recovery diver, swift water rescue, management of contract cities for law enforcement services, marijuana eradication and SWAT to name a few. I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Sanders County Sheriff’s Office.

 If elected, what would be the first thing you would change within the sheriff’s office?

One of the first things would be to bring new policy and procedures to the Sheriff’s Office that best benefits and serves the people of Sanders County. Develop an environment of teamwork, not only between the deputies but also with our surrounding counties and local agencies. This will greatly enhance our ability to deal with the current issues facing Sanders County. Re-establish accountability and transparency of the Sheriff’s office operations and encourage community involvement with the Office.

 Are there any laws that you refuse to enforce? If so, why?

The only honest answer any Sheriff can give for this question is yes. When a Sheriff is sworn into office, he/she takes a solemn oath to uphold the United States Constitution as well as the Montana Constitution. If an unconstitutional law is passed by a misguided legislature or some other unelected bureaucratic body, the Sheriff must stand against it. To do otherwise would be in complete disregard and defiance of oath he swore to.  

NAME: LANNY HENSLEY

OCCUPATION: Sanders County Undershriff

EDUCATION: Cody High School 

What qualities make you the best candidate for this position?      

 I am invested in Sanders County and I have more experience in Sanders County. I am the only candidate who possesses current Administrative, Command, and Supervisory P.O.S.T. certificates through the State of Montana, as well as an Advanced certificate. I am also the only candidate who has administrative level experience, and have approximately 2300 hours of P.O.S.T training over a career of 27 years. I understand our communities, and our rural way of life here in Montana. I have been the Undersheriff here since 2012, so I would not have to spend valuable time just learning the job.

If elected, what would be the first thing you would change within the sheriff’s office?         

 Training, training, training. To also include the Sheriff! Inadequate training leads to a host of other problems such as employee morale, increased liability, conflict, and inefficiency. Without adequate training, employees are unclear and/or unable on how to fulfill the agency’s mission goals. Adequate training builds teamwork, cohesiveness, and promotes employee’s self confidence in performing their duties. An agency’s efficiency and accountability are significantly affected by the level of training the employees have. 

 Are there any laws that you refuse to enforce? If so, why?          

First of all, the question on everyone’s mind: As state certified peace officers, we have NO jurisdiction to enforce federal laws. So, throw that out the door because we can’t, and it’s a non-issue.  The Montana legislature has only specified in extreme few cases when a peace officer shall enforce the law. So that is a non-issue as well.  The key concept is Discretion.  Just because you can enforce a law to its fullest extent, does not always mean that is the best solution.  It’s about Spirit of the law vs. Letter of the law.

NAME: ROY R. SCOTT

OCCUPATION: Thompson Falls Police Officer

EDUCATION: High School Diploma & 720+ Montana POST Credits

What qualities make you the best candidate for this position?

I believe that I have led by example and been driven by hard work and dedication. I am motivated, dedicated and my Law Enforcement career has been right here in Sanders County. I have built a reputation amongst the locals, state and surrounding agencies (in state and out) for cooperation, teamwork and communication.

If elected, what would be the first thing you would change within the sheriff’s office?

There are many things that need to be changed within the Sheriff’s Office. I believe the first thing needs to be accountability. The citizens of Sanders County have suffered far too long from lack of response to calls and lack of reports being written. Before we can serve the citizens of Sanders County properly, policies & procedures need to be followed. The rules have always been in place, but they will now be enforced.

Are there any laws that you refuse to enforce? If so, why?

It is not my job to interpret the law, it is my job to enforce the laws. I will not enforce mandates or orders. That being said, Law Enforcement does have a certain amount of discretion that can be used. Every situation needs to be looked at carefully before proceeding to ensure that no ones rights are violated.

NAME: COREY J. WHEELDON

OCCUPATION: Deputy Sheriff

EDUCATION: Marine Corps Veteran, 16 years as a certified Montana Peace Officer, Field Training Officer, SWAT Officer, P.O.S.T. Certified Primary Instructor.

What qualities make you the best candidate for this position?

I am the only candidate with the experience as a trainer/mentor that is deeply needed to correct the current issues in the Sheriff’s Office. I have been working in this Office since I transferred from the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office in 2017 and I have been attempting to effect change in this office since that time, to no avail.  I am not new to Montana Law enforcement as it has been my passion and profession for the last 16 years.  In this short time in my career Law Enforcement has had many hurdles to get over to accomplish our jobs I have been in the trenches adapting with these changes and I am the best person for the Job of Sheriff of Sanders County

If elected, what would be the first thing you would change within the sheriff’s office?

I will implement a Policy/procedure manual defining a professional standard that will be enforced for all Sheriff’s Office employees.

 Are there any laws that you refuse to enforce? If so, why?

I will not enforce laws that violate the Constitution of Montana or the Constitution of the United States of America