Randolph Baity, candidate for Wake County Sheriff
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Candidates for Wake County Sheriff
Candidates in the race for Wake County sheriff include the incumbent, Democrat Gerald Baker; Democratic challengers Joe Coley, Cedric Herring, Tommy Matthews, Willie Rowe, Roy Taylor and Randolph Baity; and Republicans Donnie Harrison, Tivon Howard and David Blackwelder. Get to know the candidates in our 2022 Voter Guide.
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Name: Randolph Baity
Age: 46
Political party: Democrat
Campaign website: www.electrandolphbaity.org
Occupation and employer: Police Officer-Clayton Police Department
Education: Degree in Elementary Education
Have you run for elected office before? No
Please list highlights of your civic involvement: Mentor for at-risk youth, basketball coach for teens, assist with summer camps, and initiate food and clothing drives for the homeless.
Who are your top three campaign contributors? I would prefer to keep campaign contributors’ information and identity confidential without expressed permission.
What are three things you want to accomplish in the next year, and how do you plan to accomplish them?
▪ Staffing. Recruit and train the most qualified candidates.
▪ Morale. Assess the current work environment and identify areas for improvement by giving consideration to practical changes.
▪ Training. Introduce new training to incorporate policies and manage high-priority issues in the community such as mental health, human trafficking, and police reform.
What about your experience makes you the best person to be Wake County’s next sheriff?
I am a career law enforcement professional who believes in community policing and building connections between law enforcement and the people we serve. I have worked as a law enforcement officer in county, private, and municipality environments. I have held the positions of lieutenant and interim chief of St. Augustine’s University. Presently, I’m a police officer with the Clayton Police Department.
My broad range of experience and consistent professionalism displays my sincere desire for fairness, justice, and transparency. My hope is to continue building relationships with the people I serve, treat all persons with respect and acknowledge individuals as integral to the success of the community. I wholeheartedly believe that a sheriff occupies a position of service to others and should not be abused for personal gain.
What does the current administration do well? In what areas does the Sheriff’s Office need to improve?
The Sheriff’s Office goes above and beyond to serve and protect all people. The Sheriff’s Office can improve by creating training programs for law enforcement to address gaps in cultural competency as well as practices for community engagement across the county. The Sheriff’s Office should provide ongoing forums and programs for the community to address their needs and provide a better understanding of how the government and law enforcement function.
How will you attract and retain deputies?
Merit-based promotions and raises, standardized testing, assistive equipment, and sign-on bonuses. I would encourage a healthy work-life balance by ensuring career development opportunities, fair work practice, and morale-boosting events.
Do you support the use of no-knock raids? Why or why not?
I will add a provision to the no-knock warrant stating that they will only be granted based on criminal behavior and seriousness of the offense prompting the warrant. This is to be applied to known subjects with a propensity for violence against law enforcement officers and others, or those with an evasive nature.
Securing a dangerous individual in a dynamic situation requires that we keep the general public safe while executing a warrant to detain a subject.
Do you support the use of body-worn cameras for deputies?
Body cams will be in operation in the performance of official duties to include response to calls, arrival on scene through disposition of call. Body cameras provide visual and audio evidence that can independently verify events. The cameras also protect police officers against false accusations of misconduct. Body-worn cameras offer transparency and accountability to the public, which is an attempt to mend that frayed relationship between the police and the community.
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?
Incidents with high public interest or acts of egregiousness will require a thorough investigation and at least 48 hours. Serious consideration will be given to nature of footage, family objection to footage being made public and ongoing investigations.
What is your definition of transparency, and how do you plan to apply that to your office?
Transparency is honesty, disclosing information with respect to confidentiality, being open to feedback and maintaining realistic expectations. Sheriff’s office policies under my administration will provide objective information in a consistent and timely manner. We will respond with requests for information with uniformity and integrity.
What role does the Sheriff’s Office play in stemming violent crime, and how do you plan to approach that role?
The Sheriff’s Office can take steps in being proactive by establishing an open line of communication between members of the community and law enforcement. We can accomplish this by being visible and approachable in our communities.
How will you ensure that people of color and people who are poor are treated fairly?
By making sure our vulnerable and marginalized citizens received the same level of respect and professionalism, regardless of social-economic status or race. If I should find incidents where law enforcement is not providing the same level of rectitude, corrective action will be applied.
If elected, will you honor Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainers? Participate in the 287 (g) program?
I will not enter into a blanket binding agreement but will comply with reasonable requests on a case-by-case basis. I will adhere to the request so that the federal agency will do their due diligence but I will not hold a detainee beyond the 48 hrs. All information will be provided if solicited under reasonable circumstances. Information will not be voluntarily provided without a purpose.
Holding detainees for low-level infractions are a strain on resources, however, offenses that involve serious bodily harm, murder, offenses against children, malice intent or gang/ transnational criminal activity and human traffickers, secure transfer of individual will be coordinated with ICE.
How do you plan to prevent deputies from using excessive force? How will your office handle cases involving excessive use of force?
Implementing a Duty to Intervene Policy. Under this policy, a written directive will require employees to intervene and notify appropriate supervisory authority if they observe another agency employee or public safety associate engage in any unreasonable use of force or if they become aware of any violation of departmental policy, state or federal law, or local ordinance. All cases involving excessive force will be vigorously investigated and if evidence substantiates the claim, disciplinary action will be administered based on severity, history of excessive force (if any) and appropriateness of corrective action.
Do you support an independent review board? Under your administration, what would that board look like?
I do support independent review boards. The board will consist of a panel of at least five members of various backgrounds. They should have the ability to ethically and consistently apply standards to issues brought before the panel.
This story was originally published April 23, 2022 at 4:18 PM.
