David Blackwelder, 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: David Blackwelder
Age: 37
Political party: Republican
Campaign website: www.wakecountysheriff.com
Occupation and employer: Lawyer - Self
Education: Juris Doctor, North Carolina Central University; Masters Public Administration and Government Policy, Grand Canyon University; Bachelor’s Criminal Justice, University of Mount Olive
Have you run for elected office before? Wake County Commissioner in 2018.
Please list highlights of your civic involvement: I work with various nonprofits, which provides support for our community involving domestic violence, human trafficking, and criminal justice reform. I have offered half of my salary if elected, to show my commitment to nonprofits.
Who are your top three campaign contributors? https://wakepublic.s3.amazonaws.com/Howard-BOE.pdf
What are three things you want to accomplish in the next year, and how do you plan to accomplish them?
▪ Recruitment and retention of staff.
▪ Education and workforce development for inmates.
▪ Working with local animal shelters for therapy and training for inmates.
What about your experience makes you the best person to be Wake County’s next sheriff?
As a former police officer and currently as a lawyer, I have the experience to ensure all of our citizens’ rights are protected under the law. I believe in due process and equal protection for all people, including my staff. I will create an unbiased review board for disciplinary issues and for promotional processes. I will also draft department policies that protect our citizens’ inalienable rights.
What does the current administration do well? In what areas does the Sheriff’s Office need to improve?
The Sheriff’s Office community outreach program is doing an excellent job and should be expanded. Staffing issues and department policies need to be improved.
How will you attract and retain deputies?
I will give the power back to the people by creating an unbiased review board for disciplinary issues and for promotional processes. I will create contractual employment for all staff and ensure they receive due process under the law.
Do you support the use of no-knock raids? Why or why not?
Depending on the circumstances, if the subject is prone to violence or may be armed, then due to the safety of the officers, a no-knock raid would be warranted.
Do you support the use of body-worn cameras for deputies?
I support the use of body-worn cameras and would make it mandatory for all officers to wear them during citizen interactions.
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?
Depending on the circumstances, if it would jeopardize an ongoing investigation, I would not release the video. However, for citizen-related complaints and arrests, they would be allowed to receive the footage, which would be in line with the discovery process. For police-involved shootings, after legal review, I would release the footage, redacted for privacy.
What is your definition of transparency, and how do you plan to apply that to your office?
Being a public servant and as an agent of government, I feel it is of the utmost importance to all the public to be involved and share any and all public information requested.
What role does the Sheriff’s Office play in stemming violent crime, and how do you plan to approach that role?
Working with various local agencies and implementing a unified plan of action to address violent crime would be the first step.
Next, working with the legislature to enact or remove relevant laws addressing violent crime.
Criminal justice reform is a strong factor, which would remove felonies from certain offenses, legalization of marijuana, harsher penalties for inadequate gun storage, and workforce education.
How will you ensure that people of color and people who are poor are treated fairly?
I would implement a consent to search waiver and training to citizens on their constitutional protections.
If elected, will you honor Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainers? Participate in the 287 (g) program?
As a lawyer, I do believe in working with ICE (287g) but only under certain circumstances. The contract must not give away our sovereignty and make us an arm of the federal government. I would like to make the violations specific regarding cooperation with ICE. For example, if the offense involves a sex crime such as rape or child molestation, the individual should be handed over to ICE. If the violation is a nonviolent misdemeanor, I do not believe they should be handed over to ICE. Violent acts should be the determinative factor. People make mistakes, but victimizing children or others cannot be tolerated.
How do you plan to prevent deputies from using excessive force? How will your office handle cases involving excessive use of force?
Adequate training with the use-of-force continuum, and the legality surrounding its use, would be a great start. For excessive force complaints, I would have an unbiased board review and provide their recommendation of action. I believe body-worn cameras would also reduce to amount of excessive use of force.
Do you support an independent review board? Under your administration, what would that board look like?
I would support an independent review board, but it would be limited in their scope. The conditions would also require they attend a citizens police academy and a civil rights attorney on the board. I would want the board’s recommendations for their respective communities. The board would not be privileged to receive information pertaining to an ongoing investigation, but I believe in providing a forum to the public to address their concerns. I would consider streaming the meetings live to the public.
