Tommy Matthews, 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: Tommy Matthews
Age: 68
Political party: Democrat
Campaign website: https://tommymatthewsforwakesheriff.com
Occupation and employer: Retired deputy sheriff, Wake County Sheriff’s Office
Education: H.S. 12th; some college
Have you run for elected office before? No.
Please list highlights of your civic involvement: (former) Vice Chair Democrat Precinct 18-07 in Wake County
Who are your top three campaign contributors? Betty Matthews, Mark Matthews, Dennis Currin
What are three things you want to accomplish in the next year, and how do you plan to accomplish them?
▪ I will focus and improve on the recruitment and hiring process using community leaders in this process and improve upon training in deescalation of intense and volatile situations;
▪ Reestablish the respect and integrity of the sheriff’s office with our citizens and elected leaders through transparency and ready access of policies and responsible administration of the budget;
▪ Stop the high attrition rate and stabilize the workforce so we can turn our attention on the significant mental health issues within the detention center.
What about your experience makes you the best person to be Wake County’s next sheriff?
The numerous former law enforcement officers and judicial officials endorsing me will confirm that I have the most local law enforcement experience of any candidate — over 32 years at the Wake County Sheriff’s Office and have worked in every aspect, retiring as major in the Investigation Division and four years as assistant director of Detention Services.
I understand firsthand the dedication of our deputies and detention officers and civilian staff as well as concerns voiced by the public. I can bring responsible reforms and establish the transparency needed to regain the trust of citizens and establish a good working relationship with locally elected officials and the employees to reduce the high attrition rate.
What does the current administration do well? In what areas does the Sheriff’s Office need to improve?
While I believe improvements are needed, it is my focus is to bring integrity and respect to the office. Doing this requires transparency in how the Sheriff’s Office operates, starting with the hiring and training process and the policies its staff follows in going about their duties.
I will engage community leaders and groups to hear their concerns and suggestions and work to address them. I will bring a work environment that is fair and leads employees to want to make this a career and take pride in their work and in turn reduce a high attrition rate.
How will you attract and retain deputies?
My leadership style is a beginning. I will bring stability and fairness to those I employ. Former and current co-workers can attest to this. I am committed to having an objective (and documented) system where everyone knows what is required to advance and remove subjectivity for lower-rank positions.
I believe our county commissioners recognize the need to offer incentives to prospective employees that reward higher education, fluency in other languages and other work-related experiences that can produce immediate benefit for the community.
Do you support the use of no-knock raids? Why or why not?
In all my years in law enforcement, I know of only a few instances where a “no-knock” warrant was obtained and used by the sheriff’s office (see NCGS § 15A-251. Entry by force). I understand well the danger in serving no-knock search warrants, both to the occupant(s) and the officers alike. I will not ban their use, but I will require these searches to be restricted and pre-approved by the division head or higher authority. Additionally, I would require documented briefing for all participants as to how that search warrant will be executed and/or terminated if needed.
Do you support the use of body-worn cameras for deputies?
Just prior to my retiring at the end of 2018 as Assistant Director of Detention Services (Wake County Sheriff’s Office), I was successful in having body-worn cameras assigned to Detention for testing purposes starting with the Medical and Psych dorms. Full deployment to all areas of the two jails was to follow based upon budget considerations. The decision to deploy the cameras in late 2018 (both in Detention and sworn deputy side) was deferred to the new incoming administration. I am absolutely committed to seeing my earlier efforts come to fruition with both deputy sheriffs and detention officers using body-worn cameras.
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?
I am in favor of releasing deputies’ body-camera footage that does not harm or impede an investigation and does not infringe upon the constitutional rights of a person who may face a criminal indictment. I hesitate to place an “hour” requirement only because some investigative work can be accomplished quicker than other investigations. I would certainly seek input from the District Attorney’s Office. Having said this, it is my belief and goal to work within a 48-hour time frame.
What is your definition of transparency, and how do you plan to apply that to your office?
Transparency, to me, means providing our citizens with information before being asked for it in an honest manner. I am committed to respond in very quick fashion to anyone’s concern or question about their sheriff’s office and I will start by having online access to the policies of the sheriff’s office, both sworn side and detention. Additionally, I understand the need for and will provide to citizens prompt access to information they seek without encountering unnecessary obstacles.
What role does the Sheriff’s Office play in stemming violent crime, and how do you plan to approach that role?
Wake County has 12 police departments and several state and federal agencies. I will work closely with these agencies to pool our resources to combat gangs and other forms of organized groups. Crimes of violence do not recognize city limits. While Assistant Director of Detention, I worked to have these law enforcement agencies work closely with jail staff in identifying individuals who were part of gangs and/or involved in violent crimes and help further criminal investigations.
How will you ensure that people of color and people who are poor are treated fairly?
The Sheriff’s Office must reflect the many Wake County communities and citizens that it serves. There are many factors that need to be used together. It starts with the hiring process, ensuring the way you select prospective employees identify traits best suited to being fair and a desire to help serve their community.
Strong ethics training and policies promoting good behavior are needed. A promotional process that helps identify applicants that have strong moral codes is needed because it falls to these future supervisors to carefully monitor the behavior of those they supervise.
Lastly, it is important for the sheriff to live by those requirements he is asking of those he employees and to be decisive should anyone fail in such manner. I have lived and worked toward this end all my life, especially during my over 32 years at the sheriff’s office. It is why I have so many former employees who are free to speak up and be recognized for their support for me to be the next sheriff.
If elected, will you honor Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainers? Participate in the 287 (g) program?
I will not participate in the 287(g) program. Regarding detainers, there are circumstances that are in the best interest of everyone for the sheriff’s office to safeguard our communities from violent offenders as emphasized by Homeland Security last year. (See Sept. 20, 2021, Homeland Security press release entitled “Secretary Mayorkas announces new immigration enforcement priorities.” (https://www.dhs.gov/news/2021/09/30/secretary-mayorkas-announces-new-immigration-enforcement-priorities).
How do you plan to prevent deputies from using excessive force? How will your office handle cases involving excessive use of force?
While Assistant Director of Detention Services I managed over 500 employees. With so many employees, I quickly established an electronic database that could track and cross reference complaints filed on staff and was used to look for any patterns of misconduct. This along with the jail camera system ensured quick action should misconduct occur. The same database is available for use with all staff and along with body-worn cameras and in-car cameras are safeguards for misconduct, but additionally can be used to find deficiencies in training and/or policies that can be corrected.
Do you support an independent review board? Under your administration, what would that board look like?
My preference is to have ongoing face-to-face meetings with community or group leaders and hear their concerns and advice. Citizens also have direct access to the sheriff to ask that he explain how and why staff conduct their duties and voice other concerns. During my time as Major of the Criminal Investigation Division and as Assistant Director of Detention Services, I often met with citizens and other interested groups to respond to their concerns and listen to suggestions to improve how we did our job. Being responsive in a timely manner builds trust with the public and creates confidence in their sheriff’s office.
This story was originally published April 23, 2022 at 3:18 PM.
