Storey County candidate for sheriff is veteran Carson City law officer

A 28-year-law enforcement veteran and a sheriff’s sergeant in Carson City has entered into the 2018 Storey County Sheriff’s Office race.

Sgt. Mike Cullen, who has spent the past 24 years with the Carson City Sheriff’s Office, and has served as a sergeant since 2003, also spent 4 years as a correctional officer at Nevada State Prison and was a reserve deputy with CCSO from 92-94.

While he remains with CCSO, Cullen lives in Storey County where he built the Virginia City Cigar and Bar on "C" Street in downtown Virginia City, owned and operated by his fiancé.

His website is: http://cullen4sheriff.com

Here are Cullen’s answers to questions we’ve asked him:

WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE STOREY COUNTY SHERIFF?
I have planned on moving to Virginia City for many years and have been contemplating retirement for quite some time. The realization was that I am just not ready for retirement from law enforcement, I still look forward to going to work everyday. I look forward to the excitement, working with others to solve crimes and for the most part finding the bad guys. My desire to be the Sheriff is more closely based on my constant need to keep moving forward. I am not a sit at home kind of person. I have a vision for what I think Storey County could be when it comes to public safety and I am in the right place and right time in my life and career to take that next step forward and create that vision.

WHY DIDN’T YOU RUN FOR SHERIFF IN CARSON CITY?
Sheriff Furlong has trusted in me and my abilities over the years and has allowed me to establish myself as a leader within the Carson City Sheriff’s Office. While I was the SWAT team Commander he trusted in my ability every time we were called to an incident. He trusted my skill and leadership in tactical training and employee development. He has been a good example of the kind of Sheriff that a community can rally behind.

He has done a good job and it has been an honor to work for Carson City under his guidance. I plan to bring those traits with me to Storey County and create an environment much like Carson City, by being progressive, always moving forward and by working with the citizens to solve specific problems and address the needs of the community.

WHAT ARE AREAS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO YOU THAT YOU WOULD BRING TO STOREY COUNTY?
As always basic criminal justice and the application of law enforcement applies in every community in the country, however, immediate attention to the mental health issues surrounding our country and communities is of utmost importance.

Attention to specific mental health issues within Storey County will be a priority and will be a major topic for our campaign in the months to come. I am adamant that working with mental health workers and creating programs specific to Storey County will benefit the community, by working with all county departments, programs, public and private as well, we will be able to identify were we need to concentrate our efforts and we would begin seeing immediate results in these areas.

Also a major area of concern is working with other agencies in the Northern Nevada area to combat criminal activity. Crime travels, criminals are not limited to one area and don't limit themselves because they understand if they stay in one place they will get caught, eventually. By working with other agencies in everything from traffic enforcement to drug enforcement we will be upholding our responsibilities, as members of the Northern Nevada communities, in law enforcement and public safety.

A LOT HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT REGARDING MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND POLICING. HOW WOULD YOU ADDRESS THIS AS STOREY COUNTY’S SHERIFF?
Carson City is very progressive in the areas of mental health issues, I plan on bringing all aspects of the Carson City program to Storey County. The benefit of a smaller population is that we may see a smaller number of issues with residents, however, being on part of a major interstate we will see transient numbers of people in the county that we will interact with. I see it as our responsibility to deal professionally with these folks in a coordinated effort with other counties and agencies.

By working together we will be able to get people in crisis the proper treatment thus breaking that cycle of behavior that leads to criminal activity and sometimes worse circumstances. All Storey County deputies will complete mental health training, they will work with state and county agencies and I will be hosting seminars and training courses in Storey County, this will create a more cohesive environment with other agencies but will allow other agencies to see our commitment to the mental health crisis in America.

WHAT LEADERSHIP SKILLS WILL YOU BRING WITH YOU TO STOREY COUNTY AS SHERIFF?
I have taken an active role as a leader within the Carson City Sheriffs Office from the beginning of my career. I became a Field Training Officer early and continued on as a team leader with the SWAT team. Leading many investigations as a Detective and Sergeant I have been able to solve many crimes, drive others toward solving crimes and come to favorable outcomes.

I understand that Leadership starts at the top. I will always provide myself as a role model for others, It is the leaders job to be knowledgable, experienced and professional. With leadership comes huge responsibility. I have always been one to realize the responsibility of leadership, and the costs that are associated with that which aren’t always favorable with others.
The “buck” must stop with someone, and that someone is me.

WORKING TOGETHER ALSO MEANS HAVING GOOD MORALE AMONG STAFF.
Morale is sometimes subject to interpretation by individuals. I will simply say that building morale starts at the top. By creating an environment that supports and encourages its employees to constantly better themselves, set goals and achieve those goals is a simple way of starting that culture. High morale, goes with challenges and goal setting and achieving those goals leads to retention of personnel and satisfaction of being part of something bigger than oneself.

THERE IS AN ACCELERATION OF GROWTH HAPPENING IN STOREY COUNTY. WHAT SHOULD LAW ENFORCEMENT AND STOREY RESIDENTS BE PREPARED FOR AS GROWTH WIDENS?
I have been following the news in Storey County for many years and am aware of many issues that Storey County is facing and has already been through. I am aware of the growth and the predicted growth. Its very obvious that Storey County will need a cutting edge progressive public safety plan in place and be able of handling whatever may arise as the population expands.

I see the Sheriff’s Office as a liaison or bridge from the people to the county government especially in a small county like Storey County, which is not too dissimilar to Carson City. I know that by working with the community and the County Government the Sheriff is capable/responsible for many things not just public safety but building trusts working out problems, creating programs and having a vision for the future of the county and the residents.

Recently, I’ve read of specific plans and met with various county personnel and discussed the projected growth expected for the North County area I’m sure the Storey County government, Commissioners and department heads are prepared and making preparations to adapt to the needs of the community. Public safety is and should be a priority and by working together with county government and private industry I plan to get out as far ahead of the projected growth to be able to meet the needs of the community.

AND THAT’S WHY SOME PROGRAMS SUCH AS MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING AND COMMUNITY POLICING ARE IMPORTANT?
By getting out ahead of the growth and predicting the problems that come with growth we can get programs such as mental health, community policing, school oriented programs and programs designed to help seniors and their specific needs up and running. Every deputy will be trained and crossed trained with all of our county wide programs to ensure that we are all working for a common goal. Along with this, I plan to bring many outside training programs to Storey County, everything from traffic investigations and community policing, to domestic violence and homicide investigations courses.

HOW WOULD YOU BUDGET PROGRAMS INTO THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE?
I have looked over recent budget numbers in Storey County, and to put it bluntly I have questions that will need to be answered before I can decide which direction we need to go. I think with growth in both population and the tax base, increase in all county numbers is to be expected. At this point, some areas of concern are the Jail numbers. Liability within county jails is a major priority and making sure that we are using the budget in the right places is paramount. I am very concerned over efficiency and day to day operations as well and like anything I plan on keeping spending down yet maintaining our public safety effectiveness. As far as areas for improvement, there is always room for improvement in all areas.

HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR OFF-DUTY HOURS?
I have three kids, my son is in college, one daughter in high school and one in elementary school. I have a deep love for art of all kinds. I paint and draw, I have airbrushed many local hot rods and motorcycles. I enjoy metal fabrication and wood working, my chopped 38' Ford truck and riding my Harley Road Glide. I enjoy riding dirt bikes with my kids and racing the MRANN desert series on the weekends. You will see me every year entered into the Virginia City Grand Prix.

ANY FINAL THOUGHTS YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD?
I look forward to working with the officers of the Storey County Sheriffs Office in creating a professional, experienced department that is capable and willing to grow with the county and with the community. I have spoken to many residents in the county not just in Virginia City but in Mark Twain, the Highlands, Gold Hill and the North County they all have very legitimate concerns and I plan on working with them on every one of them.
I can bring quality change, new progressive programs and create a more professional, more experienced and knowledgable group of officers in the county. I look forward to the challenges and am honored at the opportunity, that this election brings, to be the Sheriff of Storey County, Nev.