HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The Hopkinsville League of Women Voters is hosting a series of debates ahead of the upcoming primary election on May 19. During these forums, contested candidates on the ballot are able to discuss local issues within their registered party.
A large crowd of people gathered at the Hopkinsville Municipal to support the two candidates for Christian County Sheriff on April 16. They were asked a variety of questions regarding the role of sheriff and public safety including the possibility of adding an animal control unit, combatting drug trafficking and more.
Questions during the debate were submitted by local residents and reviewed by a closed group to ensure relevance and are kept confidential prior to the debates. Candidates were able to bring a written opening and closing statement. The full debate can be found on the League of Women Voter’s Facebook page.
Tyler DeArmond has been serving as Christian County Sheriff for the last seven years. He reminded the public of his over 21 years in law enforcement and commitment to public safety while in office.
Erik Pacheco told the crowd that he first came to Christian County in 1997 with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and knew it was a place he wanted to stay. Overall, he has had 26 years in law enforcement and currently serves as the deputy chief of police for the Hopkinsville Police Department.
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Sheriff Tyler DeArmond
“During my time in office, you’ve seen increased visibility, proactive policing, and a sheriff who is present, accessible and engaged with the community,” said DeArmond during his opening statement. “That has been intentional because I firmly believe the role of sheriff goes far beyond enforcing the law. It’s about building trust, showing up and working side by side with each of you.”
During the forum, DeArmond said the highest public safety challenge in Christian County is theft, specifically theft centered around substance abuse. He added that the department has created a narcotics unit in response under his leadership, and they help connect individuals dealing with addition with counseling services.
Both candidates were asked if they have plans to expand the department due to the size of the county. DeArmond said, “We are the second largest land mass in the state of Kentucky, but we have addressed those issues with increased staff on patrol. We’ve cut our response time down by at least three or four minutes over the last seven years.”
DeArmond spoke about his plans to make sure deputies are prepared to work with vulnerable populations. He said they already receive training that helps with this issue, adding that getting engaged with the community also forms relationships and trust.
DeArmond spoke up when Pacheco continued to stress the need to improve recruitment and retention, crediting it as one of the main issues that the department has under the current leadership. DeArmond responded to this statement saying that the recent shift in staffing was mostly regarding eight SROs that left, and other deputies that were terminated due to internal issues.
For his closing statement, DeArmond said he wants his supporters to focus on his action, accountability and commitment. He said, “While elections are certainly important, what happens after the dust settles is what’s most important. And I think you’ll find I’ve delivered all of my promises.”
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Deputy Chief of Police Eric Pacheco
“Now I’m running for sheriff because you deserve leadership defined by experience, accountability and transparency,” said Pacheco. “I don’t just know how to wear the badge; I know how to run an effective agency from the ground up. I’m running because I believe in proactive crime prevention and a sheriff’s office built on trust.”
When asked about the biggest public safety challenges in Christian County, Pacheco said juvenile gun crimes are the main concern. He explained that there are high number of young people “running around” in the city and rural communities shooting guns, which could be combatted in part by building positive community relationships with informal and formal leaders to engage youth.
“We have to address these issues as partners,” said Pacheco. “This is a community issue; this isn’t just a law enforcement issue.”
He next spoke about the need to expand the department, saying that in order to grow CCSO, they have to change the culture and leadership of the agency while modernizing and finding a way to reach new generations and service members into law enforcement.
Pacheco emphasized that ongoing training is essential, especially when it comes to working with vulnerable populations such as veterans suffering from PTSD. He said, “We have to make sure that our deputies are trained continuously, it’s a perishable skill just like firing a firearm is a perishable skill.”
In closing, Pacheco said, “I am not asking for this job because I play politics, I am asking for it because I believe our deputies deserve a leader who is as committed to them as they are to us.”
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