Donnie Harrison, candidate for Wake County sheriff

Name: Donnie Harrison

Age: 76

Political party: Republican

Email address: donnie@donnieharrison.com

Campaign website: www.donnieharrison.com

Occupation and employer: Retired state trooper with NCSHP. I have taught numerous course at the NCSHP Academy, served as chief of security for the lieutenant governor from 1988-1992 and served four terms as sheriff of Wake County

Education: Advanced Law Enforcement Certification, attended numerous training, and leadership programs, obtained certifications in numerous areas of crime prevention and law enforcement

Have you run for elected office before? Served as sheriff from 2002 to 2018

Please list highlights of your civic involvement: I have served my community as a long-standing member of Holland’s United Methodist Church, volunteer firefighter, state trooper, youth softball coach, and highly respected high school and college basketball referee. I have also been recognized as one of Wake County’s top canine search and rescue handlers to find lost Alzheimer’s patients, and lost children and to track down criminal suspects for local law enforcement agencies.

Who are your top three campaign contributors?

Don’t know. Reports are filed with the Wake County Board of Elections for public inspection

What are three things you want to accomplish in the next year, and how do you plan to accomplish them?

Address the county’s mental health crisis; put more deputies on patrol to reduce response and improve community safety; work with parents and stakeholders on improving school safety. Training is one of the main issues that are important to me. Law enforcement must keep up with changes in law, changes in population and changes in expectations. It is my intention to not only meet but exceed state training mandates by seeking national accreditation through CALEA.

What about your experience makes you the best person to be Wake County’s next sheriff?

I started out as a NC State Highway Patrol trooper and worked on the front lines in Wake County during which time I was shot and seriously injured in the line of duty. Later, I retired as a sergeant with 30 years of service. I was elected by the people of Wake County for four consecutive terms and I know from experience what is involved in the job. I have proven that I am more than competent to lead a thousand-plus-person agency and manage a multi-million dollar budget.

What does the current administration do well? In what areas does the Sheriff’s Office need to improve?

Over the past four years, we have witnessed too much scandal, mismanagement, weak leadership, and petty politics. We need a sheriff who will focus on fighting crime and making our county a safer place. We need more deputies on patrol. We need more engagement with our residents. I am the only candidate for sheriff who has offered the voters a clear-cut plan for the future of the Sheriff’s Office and a path to a Safer Wake County.

How will you attract and retain deputies?

Increasing salary schedules will be a good starting point. Filling the vacancies will be critical. A focus on training and standards to work toward national accreditation. We need to make sure our deputies and detention officers have the equipment and technology they need to be effective and successful in their jobs.

Do you support the use of no-knock raids? Why or why not?

I support the use of no knock warrant execution on a very limited basis in a case-by-case basis. I believe it is paramount that no knock warrants have judicial review and approval prior to execution. Then when executed, there must be clear-cut plans, briefings, and appropriate senior personnel involved to manage. I fully understand the community’s concern about utilizing no knock warrants. I know these types of warrants are extremely dangerous to execute, so their use will be for the most extreme, violent criminals.

Do you support the use of body-worn cameras for deputies?

Fully support the use of body cameras and have been an advocate for them because they provide the officer and the suspect full accountability.

Under what circumstances and timelines do you support the release of body-camera footage? For example, do you support video release when requested? Only for serious or fatal incidents? Within 48 hours of the incident or only after the investigation is complete?

North Carolina law is very clear as to when and how body camera recordings may be released. A sheriff is sworn to uphold the law; therefore, an individual sheriff’s personal opinion is moot. He or she must follow the law as duly enacted by the state legislature.

What is your definition of transparency, and how do you plan to apply that to your office?

Transparency means openness. I will have an open-door policy for any resident of Wake County. I will be responsive to citizen questions and members of the news media. We will work to make public records readily available, including arrest reports and budget materials.

What role does the Sheriff’s Office play in stemming violent crime, and how do you plan to approach that role?

First and foremost, we need more deputies on patrol. Wake County is growing, and we don’t have enough patrol deputies available to answer calls — meaning local police departments are often dispatched to answer Sheriff’s Office calls. I will work to put more deputies on patrol in our communities to reduce response times and improve public safety.

How will you ensure that people of color and people who are poor are treated fairly?

Every single resident should be afforded the respect and dignity they deserve. Law enforcement must be fair and equal for every single incident and call we answer. A diverse work force both gender and race that represents the community is clearly more effective. Our calling is to serve and protect, and I will work every single day to uphold the constitutional rights of all our citizens.

If elected, will you honor Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainers? Participate in the 287 (g) program?

If elected, I respect all duly executed warrants by local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Currently, there is no Memorandum of Agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, so the county cannot legally detain a person based on an administrative request— only if there is a duly signed and executed warrant for arrest. Since the Justice Department will no longer sign agreements for 287(g), if elected, I will implement a comprehensive, background screening process for all people admitted to the detention facility, checking for wants and warrants and verifying identification. This will be universal in scope, avoiding any charges of racism and preference based on country of origin.

How do you plan to prevent deputies from using excessive force? How will your office handle cases involving excessive use of force?

Training. Training, and more training. Any time there is a use of force, it should be documented and thoroughly reviewed. If there is excessive use of force, I will call for an investigation by Internal Affairs and when appropriate request an investigation by the SBI

Do you support an independent review board? Under your administration, what would that board look like?

If I am elected sheriff of Wake County, I am accountable to the people of Wake County. No, I do not support an independent review board. If there is criminal misconduct with a deputy or detention officer, that situation will be duly investigated by the SBI and reviewed by the district attorney. As an elected official, I am accountable to the voters of this county for my actions and decisions.