Sheriff White seeks re-election

Sheriff Paul White is seeking re-election as Anderson County sheriff. White was first elected in 2006 and re-elected in 2010.

White is a veteran law officer with 38 years of experience, a press release said. His first five years were with the Oliver Springs Police Department, where he served as a police officer and patrol sergeant. The remaining 33 years have been with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department, where he advanced through the ranks from patrol deputy to commanding the Patrol Division and Court Services.

During his career, White had the opportunity to hold almost every position within the Sheriff’s Department and at one time was appointed “acting sheriff,” the release said.

“Having served under the last five administrations, Paul White had the unique opportunity to observe and utilize many ideas and practices as to how the Sheriff’s Department could best serve the needs of Anderson County,” the release said.

It said White has received extensive training in many aspects of law enforcement throughout his career, including upper and mid-level personnel management and supervision. White is a POST certified peace officer, is certified by the FBI as a criminal investigator, and holds certifications as a master firearms instructor and weapons armorer, the release said.

He also holds the rank of lieutenant colonel with the Civil Air Patrol and was formerly the counter-drug director for Tennessee. As a pilot, White has flown many missions for the Drug Enforcement Administration and has worked with Customs and Immigration Enforcement, the Federal Aviation Administration, the U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, as well as numerous federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, the release said.

Outside his law enforcement experience, White is a licensed commercial pilot, a certified scuba diver, an amateur radio operator, an outboard boat motor mechanic, and has a Mariner certification for water vessels.

During his tenure as sheriff, White has implemented many changes and programs to better serve the citizens of Anderson County, the release said. The Sheriff’s Department was reorganized to be more efficient and more effective. Emphasis has been placed on enforcement for the prevention, detection, and investigation of crimes.

“This reorganization has placed more deputies on patrol and on investigating crimes,” the release said. “This has allowed more proactive patrols of the rural areas as well as enhanced investigations of offenses resulting in more arrests being made and crimes solved.”

As sheriff, White has focused the efforts of the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department on drug enforcement and in reducing property crimes such as burglary and theft, the release said.

“These efforts have paid off as overall crime numbers have fallen almost 35 percent from 2007 through 2012,” the release said. Drug arrests increased more than 281 percent from 2006 to 2010. Burglary and theft arrests have increased more than 73 percent. And the department’s crime clearance rate has risen from less than 20 percent to more 35 percent in just the first two years, the release said.

“Crime prevention programs such as Neighborhood Watch were reinstated, and a dedicated crime prevention officer works hand-in-hand with the community to help in reducing crime,” it said. “This has been beneficial to both homeowners and businesses alike in not only preventing crime but helping solve crimes after they occur.

“The Sheriff’s Department is using technology for not only crime prevention and investigation but to also be more efficient. Deputies now have laptop computers in patrol cars, which allow them to remain out in the community instead of driving back to the office to fill out reports. Deputies have access to criminal warrants information and arrest history as well as mugshots to identify offenders and wanted persons.”

The release said the department is now using crime mapping and analysis to identify areas where crimes are occurring. Deputies are made aware where burglaries and thefts are happening so extra patrols are done in these neighborhoods. Crime analysis has been very beneficial in linking crimes to offenders and has resulted in successful investigations and arrests.”

The release said White has forged relationships with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

“These relationships have resulted in numerous joint investigations both for illegal drug activity as well as the investigation of burglaries and thefts,” the release said. One of the drug investigations resulted in 42 people being indicted on federal methamphetamine charges, which was one of the largest joint operations in East Tennessee history, it said.

Meanwhile, a partnership with the Anderson County Board of Education has allowed eight sheriff’s deputies to be assigned as school resource officers in the county school system, the release said. In addition, since 2006, the Sheriff’s Department has reinstated DARE classes to the fifth-grade students in the Anderson County Schools. The most recent joint partnership is with the District Attorney’s Office and the Anderson County, Clinton, and Oak Ridge School Systems in a program designed to protect our children from online predators.

White is a life-long resident of Anderson County. Born and raised in the Blowing Springs community, Paul White attended Blowing Springs and Dutch Valley Grammar Schools, Clinton Junior High, and Clinton High School. White has also worked in Anderson County his entire life, from the coal mines in New River to managing Oak Ridge Marina, the release said. His first law enforcement job was with the Oliver Springs Police Department in 1975, and he has been with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department since 1980. Being an Anderson County resident his entire life has served him well, helping him to understand the needs of the county and of the Sheriff’s Department, the release said.

“I wish to thank the citizens of Anderson County for their trust and support over the last eight years,” White said. “I pledge to continue serving Anderson County with the high standards of honesty and integrity they expect and deserve.”