In a recent interview with TheBAYNET.com and on Baynet Radio, Charles County Sheriff, Rex Coffey discussed his first term in office and what he feels is the progress made by the Sheriff’s Office during his first four years.
Coffey explained that since he has taken office, the agency has worked to improve the safety for all Charles County citizens. “We need good schools, good roads and the like, but without public safety, that all takes a back seat.”
The Sheriff explained that he is first and foremost committed to improving the safety of citizens and reducing crime. Something he admits has been difficult given the budget cuts and dwindling resources available to the agency. “We have been able to reduce crime even though we have less to work with than ever before,” said Coffey.
He continued, “We encourage officers to investigate every crime as diligently as possible and to keep in mind, that while the crime maybe redundant to us as officers, it very personal to the victim.”
One of the best crime deterrents introduced by Coffey during his first term was to increase the number of officers on the street during times that are peak for criminal activity. The CCSO switched from the traditional four-shift rotation of officers to a five-shift rotation.
“That way, we have a shift overlapping when most crimes occur,” said Coffey. “It used to be that we had eight and a half hour shifts for day, evening and night and one shift off. Now we have 10 and a half-hour shifts. For instance: the evening shift works from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. and with the additional shift, we have a night shift that starts at 9 p.m. so from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. we have twice the officers patrolling areas where most crime takes place in the county.”
Coffey stated that he is dedicated to fighting crime and after the office requirements are through for the day, he often hits the streets and patrols the county, meeting with neighborhood groups and others to find out how the agency can better serve the area.
“I also require Commanders to hit the streets for at least four hours a week putting more experience where it is needed, in the neighborhoods.” He explained that the department has 30 Commanders making it so that for 120 hours per week, that experience is out with the patrolling officers where they can better supervise operations and the daily fight against crime.
The dedicated law enforcement official stated that he is not done yet. Coffey intends to bring back the concept of Shift Commanders instead of patrol sergeants supervising every shift. “That will have a huge and immediate impact to the way we fight crime, more continuity in the chain of command and with Lieutenants in charge of the shifts there will be more oversight as well,” stated Coffey.
The Sheriff is also proud of the changes made in getting the word out to teenage drivers stating that, “In 2007 there were nine new teen drivers killed in traffic accidents. For the past three years, we have had none killed. Our training and message is working.”
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