Carson City Sheriff’s Protective Association endorses Guimont

Deputies of the Carson City Sheriff’s Protective Association have endorsed fellow officer Bob Guimont for the city's top elected law enforcement leadership position.

Of the 75 ballots cast, and 60 returned, Guimont racked up 45 votes, or 86.5 percent of the actual votes cast, followed by incumbent sheriff Ken Furlong with four votes and challenger Bob White, a sheriff's office captain, with three votes. Of the returned ballots, five were marked No Candidate and three of the votes were not counted because they were not sealed.

Ballots were sent out on April 10 and were counted on April 17. The announcement comes after the deputy's association, made up of 75 members, and Carson City Sheriff Supervisors Protective Association hosted a candidate night on April 10. The Sheriff Supervisors Protective Association is schedule to make a decision on their candidate endorsement next week. 

The primary election is June 8, which will narrow the field to two candidates for the November general election, unless one of them receives 50 percent of the vote.

Guimont said he is honored to have his fellow officers give him the vote of confidence for the top administrative position.

"This is awesome. I'm completely humbled," said Guimont. "It means a lot to me because there are a lot of troops out there who see the problems in the community and have their trust in me to see that these problems are addressed."

Guimont, 43, has been in law enforcement for 20 years. His career started as a Deputy Sheriff in Storey County, and he is a 14-year veteran of the Carson City Sheriff's Office, where he has worked as a detention deputy, patrol deputy, Swat team member, leader and commander, detention sergeant, assistant range master, motor officer and a training instructor.
He is running on a platform to address Carson City's gang, drug and domestic violence problems; as well as doing outreach for senior citizens. Click here to read his positions: http://guimontforsheriff.com/issues.html
As an active-duty law officer, Guimont says being in the field gives him a birds-eye view of the growing gang and drug problem in Carson City. He said he is committed to changes that will run drug dealers and gang members out of town.
"I've watched this community over the past 15 years and in the past 10 years I've seen everyone, in some way or another, affected by gangs, meth, marijuana and heroin," he said. "The drug and the gang issue has gone unchecked. I have a zero-tolerance plan that will begin at the elementary school level to address the problems."

While he acknowleges he doesn't have administration experience, he said he does have a good measure of the department and how it operates, including budgeting. 

"I'm not a politician. I am simply here to do the job that citizens demand be done and that's why I want to be Carson City Sheriff," he said.

Association president Don Gibson said Guimont is the right man at the right time for the job.

"Bob Guimont has and demonstrates genuine care and concern for the law enforcement community in Carson City," Gibson said. "In my opinon as association president Bob Guimont has the drive, passion, conviction, and true character to accomplish his goals and ideas and will allow for us and the community to work together as a team to make it very uncomfortable for the crimial element. Bob will bring back the brother and sisterhood of law enforcement in Carson City and with everyone's help we will succeed."

Gibson said it is time for a change in leadership.

"Sheriff Furlong has had 7-1/2 years to rid the community of gang and drug violence. I believe the community would agree that this issue is not being dealt with appropriately," Gibson said. "There is an obvious disconnect between his employees and his stances on a variety of issues. This was already known information but concreted by the endorsement ballot results in which he only garnered four votes."

Regarding candidate Bob White, a captain with the Carson City Sheriff's Office, Gibson points out similar problems between the office administrators and the deputies on the street. 
"There is a very large disconnect evident by only obtaining three votes from the ballots," Gibson said. "Mr. White has been an adminstrator for many years and could not explain to us why he has not made any constructive improvements to the agency or current policy."

Speaking on behalf of the association, Gibson said as economic problems plague the city and the department, the work environment and fellowship among deputies and the administration remains poor.
 
"Morale is at an all time low, which is also evident by the ballot results. The ballot results in my opinion as the association president tell a larger story of which I am not at liberty to discuss," Gibson said.

The campaign has heated up recently with charges by White that Guimont supporters tore down a White campaign sign and intimidated a local businessman.

Guimont calls the charge "ridiculous" and "far-fetched."

"The owner of the business had attended one of my forums and this was prior to the incident and he stated that he supported us," Guimont said. "Mr. White is obviously upset that his signs were taken down from the business and should respect the business owner's decision to do so. At no time did anyone in our campaign cut up any of his signs. It is completely ridiculous to have members of my campaign go into a business in Carson, cut up a sign and intimidate an owner. It is far-fetched to say the least."

Here is the text of the endorsement letter:

Mr. Bob Guimont,
We are happy, honored and pleased to write you and give official notice that you have the endorsement of the men and women of the Carson City Sheriff’s Protective Association (CCSPA).
We have worked alongside you in the past years on very important issues that have affected the quality of life for the citizens in Carson City. We and the community have seen the way you have listened to all opinions presented and truly care about the future of Carson City and the Sheriff’s Office. You have also proven that you truly care about the families that live and work in Carson City. Your ideas and plans have been made from a platform of knowledge, caring and concern about our community and all who pass through Nevada’s capital city.
The men and women of the Carson City Sheriff’s Office have shown over the years that we care about the citizens in our city. The safety of a community is and must always be the priority of any city. Bob Guimont is the only choice for leadership in Carson City and has shown his commitment to us by the years of service to the public. Bob has raised his family in Carson City and understands the importance of having a safe and healthy city. It is with honor and excitement that we as members of the Carson City Sheriff’s Protective Association give our full endorsement for the position of Carson City Sheriff to Bob Guimont.
Residents of Carson City, help protect us as we protect you and together we can raise the quality of life for all citizens and visitors of Carson City. Please vote for Bob Guimont on June 8th.
Residents of Carson City, we thank you for your support.
Don Gibson
CCSPA President