Russell Barker is seeking a second term as sheriff of Anderson County in this year’s election.
Barker, a Republican, was first elected to a four-year term as sheriff in 2018 after serving as the director of the Seventh
Judicial District Crime Task Force in Anderson County.
In a press release, Barker said he has fulfilled his 2018 campaign promises of increasing the number of school resource officers, dedicating personnel to keep seniors safe, and implementing intelligence-led policing.
“I am very proud of what we have accomplished this first term,” Barker said in the press release. “I attribute the success we’ve had to the brave men and women I serve with every day. Together, we are making a great impact in Anderson County.”
Here are accomplishments Barker cited in his campaign press release:
- Worked with the Anderson County Schools and County Commission to increase the number of School Resource Officer’s from nine to 15.
- Assigned a detective to work with the District Attorney General’s Office to work and solve elder abuse cases and placed a Sheriff’s Office member on the Vulnerable Adult Protective Investigative Team with Adult Protective Services.
- Increased number of deputies patrolling neighborhoods.
- Reallocated funds to purchase cutting-edge technology for crime mapping and revamping the Crime Analysis unit.
- Reallocated funds to purchase live, real-time technology that has increased crime solvability and arrests, especially for major crimes.
- Enhanced safety and security at the Detention Facility in Clinton by replacing old, unrepairable equipment with new technology.
“Recognized for his leadership, service, and ability to connect with people, Sheriff Barker was appointed to serve on the Tennessee Sheriff’s Associations (TSA) legislative committee,” the press release said. “This committee works closely with the state legislative body on legislation that impacts law enforcement officers across the state.”
The press release said Barker was recognized by the nonprofit organization, Operation Angel Wing, as First Responder of the Year in 2021. The organization said Barker is an example of a “true community leader keeping his men and women of service not only safe, but mentally and emotionally well.”
“Serving as the Sheriff of Anderson County is the greatest honor of my professional career,” Barker said in the press release. “Anderson County is a special place with great people who make it very easy to work day in and day out to make it the best place to live, work, and raise a family. With your support we can continue moving Anderson County forward.”
More information will be added as it becomes available.
Most news stories on Oak Ridge Today are free, brought to you by Oak Ridge Today with help from our advertisers, contributors, and subscribers. This is a free story. Thank you to our advertisers, contributors, and subscribers. You can see what we cover here.
Do you appreciate this story or our work in general? If so, please consider a monthly subscription to Oak Ridge Today. See our Subscribe page here. Thank you for reading Oak Ridge Today!
Alternatively, you can donate to support our work here. Thank you for your support!
Copyright 2021 Oak Ridge Today. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Leave a Reply