At a time when the relationship between our public safety agencies is paramount, we need to consider who is best suited to work cooperatively as leader of our Sheriff’s Office going forward. Sheriff Bill Brown, without a doubt, has had a long and distinguished 40-year public safety career. However, the sheriff has lost the support of his own rank and file, the majority of the county supervisors who will regulate the sheriff’s budget, our county’s firefighters, and so many more.
As a former 12-year elected sheriff and three-year appointed county fire chief, I learned that there comes a time when change is good and necessary. I believe for the Sheriff’s Office, that time is now. I believe Lt. Brian Olmstead is the best choice to lead the department going forward.
Lt. Olmstead is a highly experienced law enforcement professional. He is smart, well educated, and will surround himself with the best available men and women who understand the mission of the agency and the necessity to keep staffing adequate to accomplish the variety of challenges they face every day.
Lt. Olmstead has received the support of the Deputy Sheriff’s Association. It should be noted that they have not opposed Sheriff Brown in either of his previous three elections. Lt. Olmstead is also supported by the county firefighters and Santa Maria police officers, and I believe you will soon see more public safety professionals joining his campaign. These are the men and women who are the first line of contact and support during the challenges we all face on a daily basis. They know who they trust to lead them into the future and they ask for your support now. They, and I, ask that you vote for Lt. Brian Olmstead for sheriff on June 5th.
This article appears in Apr 19-26, 2018.