Profile: Bobby Sullivan, Scott County Sheriff (D)

Age: 36

Place of birth: Cape Girardeau

Spouse: Cindy (Newton) Sullivan

Children's names, ages: Aubrey 6, Trace 3

Occupation: Detective

Employer: Sikeston Department of Public Safety

1. Would you support resurrecting the idea of the half-cent sales tax for law enforcement?

Answer: I would support the resurrection of the sales tax for county law enforcement, under the following conditions. The first thing I would do is look at the current budget, see what percent is needed to operate the department. The money collected is to be earmarked directly for law enforcement, E-911, and it may not be used for any other reason. As sheriff I would submit a proposed long-term budget showing each year where the money will be spent. Whether it be for raises, patrol car rotation, added employees or positions, or equipment upgrades. At the end of each fiscal year, we will have these expenditures documented to ensure our taxpayers the money is being used for its intended purpose. This way of earmarking taxes for law enforcement will provide a reliable and predictable source of funding for the sheriff's department and help to ensure our citizens' safety. I feel the citizens of Scott County want to support our law enforcement, but our citizens want to know what their money is being spent on. However, no taxpayer wants a tax without an expiration date, and this dedicated tax should have just that.

2. How would you best use funds for law enforcement in the light of the loss of the half-cent sales tax last year?

Answer: A sheriff must be able to prioritize when it comes to funding. Not doing so when your funds are limited can put the people you are paid to protect at risk. Basic police service is priority No. 1. I would make sure that each shift is fully staffed every day. It may be necessary to use salaried upper level staff to work shifts on weekends or whenever necessary, and that would include the sheriff. By better managing our personnel we can make sure that peak hours are covered. This will help with response time to calls, something that I have received a considerable amount of complaints about while out campaigning.

I would make sure we apply for the various federal grants out there to aid in our effort. In addition to this, I feel I need to review budgets and expenditures from previous years to help determine if money is being wasted in any area. If a program or position is a waste of taxpayer money, I will not support it and put the money to better use.

3. What is your philosophy on investigative stops?

Answer: Investigative stops are an essential part of law enforcement. However, before making this stop the officer must be able to articulate in a report and explain in court their justification for doing so. They must have reasonable suspicion that a crime is in progress, is about to be or has been committed; then they are justified in making the stop. Reasonable suspicion is defined by our state statutes and case law. I will make sure our deputies understand the case law on these types of stops. Once the stop has been completed I believe that an officer must continue with the Terry Stop case law. If the deputy is able to gather enough information or evidence to progress from reasonable suspicion to probable cause then further investigation would occur. The officer that makes such a stop and finds probable cause isn't present would allow the person or persons to leave.

4. Name two areas of law enforcement that will be at the top of your priority list?

Answer: No. 1 would be patrolling the county residential neighborhoods and municipalities that do not have 24-hour police protection. I am not against assisting the agencies in Scott County who have 24-hour police protection. I would address this issue with a monthly chiefs meeting so that we all can sit down together, discuss any issues, ensure them that the Scott County Sheriff's Department will cooperate with them and assist them in everyway possible when needed.

Narcotics will remain a close second for me. Almost ninety percent of criminal activity can be traced back to some type of illegal use of narcotics. The sheriff's department will begin by cooperating with other agencies in Southeast Missouri to attempt to get a handle on the drug problem. I have a very close working relationship with the Drug Enforcement Administration, SEMO Drug Task Force and the Scott County prosecutors office. This relationship will help Scott County law enforcement agencies develop information, be proactive and build cases that can be successfully prosecuted at the level necessary. Hopefully this cooperation will give all agencies in Scott County the reputation where these criminals will stay out of Scott County to conduct their criminal activity.

5. What makes you the best candidate for the job?

Answer: My commitment, education, experience and the ability to ensure that the Scott County Sheriff's Department will cooperate with all agencies in Southeast Missouri. I am the only candidate that has known for years that I wanted to be the sheriff of Scott County. I am the only one who sets and achieves my goals, proving that I am capable of being the sheriff of Scott County. I am the only candidate that has investigated every crime successfully at both the state and federal level. I plan to open the door to a Sheriff's Advisory Board. This will give feedback to our department and allow the citizens knowledge of what is going on in the Department's everyday business. I plan to ensure the safety of our children by applying for school resource officer Grants for every school in Scott County. I believe I am the best candidate for the sheriff of Scott County. I have spent the last 16 years of my life working toward this goal. I feel that there is no other candidate that can offer the continued commitment to protecting the citizens of Scott County on a full-time basis like I have for the last 16 years.