Two candidates are vying for the position of Pottawatomie County Sheriff this election season with the retirement of Shane Jager from the position.
One of those running for the position is current undersheriff Doug Adams, a 25-year veteran of law enforcement who has served in a number of roles for the Sheriff’s Office.
Adams has worked with the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office for nearly 25 years, starting as an intern in 2000.
“I then worked as a reserve officer before moving to full-time in 2002,” he said. “After that point, I had the opportunity to wear a number of hats – school resource officer, lieutenant, detective, sergeant, lieutenant captain and for the last four and half years I’ve been undersheriff.”
Adams says his main goal is to make the Sheriff’s Office more apart of the community.
“My main goal is community engagement,” he said. “I grew up around community policing and while I think the Sheriff’s Office does a good job in the community already, I think we can do even better.”
Adams, a Republican, shares what his plans are when it comes to limiting drug use in the county.
“We’re never going to fully stop drug use,” he said. “However, we can educate our youth against using drugs as well as do a better job at educating the public on the benefits of Narcan.”
Adams also says he supports the 2nd amendment but acknowledges that there is a gun violence problem in this country.
“I support the 2nd amendment,” he said. “However, whenever it’s brought up it usually is in relation to gun violence. We do have a gun violence problem in this country. The best way to address that I think is through more research and attention to mental health.”
The primary election is slated for Aug. 6 as Adams will take on current St. Mary’s Police Chief Derek Cid in the contest. You can hear both full interviews with Mr. Adams and Mr. Cid on our Friday edition of In Focus.
