Sheriff Hollenbeck to seek re-election

Sebastian County Sheriff Bill Hollenbeck announced Thursday (Feb. 2) he will seek another two-year term.

Hollenbeck, the only Democrat to win a top Sebastian County post in the 2010 election, cited his work to improve standards, reduce costs and raise revenue as reasons he should be re-elected.

The announcement by Hollenbeck continues a recent flurry of candidate announcements for top county posts. Other political announcements in the county include:
Sebastian County Clerk Sharon Brooks, a Republican, is seeking re-election. She was first elected to the office in 2010 in an open race following the retirement of longtime Clerk Doris Tate.

Sebastian County Treasurer Judith Miller, also a Republican, is running again. She was first elected to the Treasurer’s office in 2008.

Denora Coomer, a 28-year veteran of the Sebastian County court system, announced Aug. 17 she will run as a Republican for the Circuit Clerk post now held by Republican Ken Blevins.

Chief Deputy Circuit Clerk Kathy Guthrie, a 14-year veteran of the Sebastian County Circuit Clerk’s office, announced Dec. 29 she will seek the office as a Democrat.

Sebastian County Judge David Hudson (R) and Sebastian County Assessor Becky Yandell (R) have also announced plans to seek reelection.

STATEMENT FROM SEBASTIAN COUNTY SHERIFF BILL HOLLENBECK
Sheriff Bill Hollenbeck formally announces that he will seek his second term as Sebastian County Sheriff. The thirty year law enforcement veteran is a graduate of Northside high school. Hollenbeck started his career in police work with the Dallas Texas Police Department in 1982. Hollenbeck joined the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Department in 1990. He worked patrol, became a detective and then promoted to Captain over the Criminal Investigative Division as well as SWAT.

Since becoming Sheriff of Sebastian County Hollenbeck has made several departmental improvements. Working with other elected officials and the Quorum Court; the Sheriff’s Department will now be receiving modern and updated technology for our detention center, as well as the rest of our department. This computer system will assist the deputies in the entire booking process including inmate tracking, reporting, case management, control, accurate release process, touch print, updated booking process, medical tracking and other areas.

An immediate directive was issued by Sheriff Hollenbeck after taking office to increase the training for all members of our department. As a result, each member of the department completed in service training in areas of ethics and professional conduct, firearms, patrol tactics, responding to felony in the act calls, racial profiling and other areas of instruction. The detention deputies increased their amount of in-service training in areas such as first aid, policy and procedure, suicide prevention, de-escalation tactics as well as use of force. The department this year has had over 3100hrs of in service training. Since taking office the detention center alone has also reduced the use of force incidents by 50% this past year.

Sheriff Hollenbeck reorganized the command staff streamlining their ability to supervise and manage. The command staff for the first time ever had a Departmental Leadership and Teamwork Retreat that was lead by Hollenbeck. The retreat focused on Servant Leadership and teambuilding techniques. Leaders of the department focused on how to bring the staff to the next level of professionalism and how to empower the employees to strive for excellence.
The following is a list of departmental improvements
New body armor for the entire department

Appointed a Director of Inmate Management. He identifies non-violent misdemeanor offenders that can be given alternative sentencing. This reduces the population and creates more room for violent offenders, thus creates cost saving for dept and saving tax dollars.

Added four deputies and created a power shift after identifying heavy work period
established weekend visitation to free up deputies during heavy work period

Increased training for all deputies  “ethics and professional standards”

Reduced incoming illegal contraband by  simple changing to “post cards”

Negotiated with food service, price saving of 40 to 60 k a year

3.7 million dollars in jail revenue

Increased training in “ethics and professional standards”

Established a hiring procedure that includes written test, physical fitness test, interview board, CVSA, medical exam, psychological exam for all employees

Developed a mission statement and creed

Set up a beat system for patrol for quicker response and a more modern form of patrol tactics

Reviewing and modernizing our policies

Established a purchase policy where all bills and purchases must be reviewed  ensuring the best price to save the tax payers dollars

Assigned an Operations Commander to supervise and review all field operations within the department

Established the first Citizens Sheriff’s Academy

Applied for and received in $111,000.00 grants

Established two K 9 units

Sheriff Hollenbeck is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and Holds a B.S in Organizational Management. He is a commissioner for the Fort Smith Church League Baseball, Member of Rotary, FOP and board member of Camp Hope for Heroes a military veteran support agency as well as a 911 Board. Hollenbeck is married to Dr. Karen Hollenbeck and has five children and one grandchild. They attend St. Boniface Church.