This is an EXCELLENT interview with Joel Caldwell. I would encourage every person that will be voting in the next Galveston County Sheriff's Office race to listen to Joel, take into account his tenure as a police officer, his commitment to law enforcement, his education, vast knowledge of the field of criminal justice, and his experience into account before you decide. I am biased, as I am a firm supporter of Joel and he will be getting my vote, but please take the time to listen to this interview, go to his website and read about his view of how the GCSO will be under his command, and understand that Joel is a fresh and up to date candidate for sheriff. Joel's vision for Galveston County to be a "premier" law enforcement agency is past due and with him as the head of the SO I believe he will be the best Sheriff for Galveston County for many years to come. Please vote for Joel Caldwell... Thank you

Good luck Joel Caldwell. Very good interview Breck from both yours and Joel's end.

Joel seems to very genuine about why he wants to be Sheriff and that's what separates a great leader than from a not so great one. He's the kind of cop everyone speaks well of - no one ever says anything bad. He treats everyone with dignity - no matter who you are. Joel has a college degree on top of mega training. That's a big deal to me in who I choose to vote for.

I wish Texas jails could be ran like Joe Arpaio's jail unfortunately there is this horrible entity called Texas Jail standards that keep the deputies from being really creative.

I had no idea that Galveston county had one of the largest sheriff's offices in Texas. It's far behind the big ones like Harris and Dallas but in terms of services it provides the county that's saying alot.

The Sheriff's Office detectives are also considered the best in the state - had no idea. Tommy Hansen, Mike Berry, Mike Bell, etc, etc - too many to name here. That division is really the one to look to for a great example under Barry Cook. They care so much.

Breck - you should do interviews on some of those guys too.

Here is one comment from Lt.Caldwell to members of GMPA at an association meeting...Ladies and Gentlemen I'm running for Sheriff vote for me if you like me and if you don't like me vote for me anywas to get rid of me.

Good luck Office Caldwell I hope you win. :)

I like what I saw and heard. Probably the only insider worth a second look. Plain talking, understandable, makes sense. He may get my vote.

I really like the comment referring to the jail being unsafe as far as the direct supervision goes. I really think no Deputy should be forced to place themself in a position where he or she has to sit in an enviroment of inmates with no protection other than a red line.I can tell Caldwell really care about people and Good Luck on your campaignre you have my vote!!!!

I was reading where Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Arizona is endorsing Joel Caldwell. An endorsement from someone who has never met any of the other candidates and who only met this candidate (Caldwell) for several hours means nothing. This tactic doesn't work for me and I hope it doesn't work on other county voters. Thank you.

Having one Deputy sit in a tank or open dorm with up to 48 inmates is proof positive upper management is out of touch with the lower ranks.
Also, having open dorms leaves the Deputies with even less control over inmates. There's just no need for it. These are areas management expects Deputies to do contraband checks by themselves, seriously. Also, many so-called lock down areas (where inmates go who cannot adhere to jail rules, ie. fighting with other inmates, failing to follow direct orders, assaulting staff, basically the worst of the worst) have Pan-holes that don't function, haven't functioned for years. Many of these non-functioning Pan-holes are in the tank which holds the emotionally and mentally unstable inmates. What this means, if it's not registering with you, the Deputy/Deputies have to open that door without first securing the hands of these sometimes very violent and unstable people.
Remember, these are Deputies only armed with their two hands. No less than lethal use of force options/tools.

That leaves these Deputies in a position which they shouldn't be in to begin with. Ultimately, this will cost the tax payers of Galveston County in the form of a lawsuit on behalf of a Deputy/Deputies hurt because of non-functioning Pan-Holes.

I like Joel's ideas on getting rid of Direct Supervision.
I also hope Joel implements measures which address the extremely high turnover rate at GCSO. This too ultimately cost the taxpayers of Galveston County in the form of training and equipping these people who replace those that leave.
Why do people leave?
The list is too extensive.