Five Questions for Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong

For this week's installment of Carson Now's Five Questions, Carson City's Sheriff Ken Furlong sat down to discuss how being Sheriff has shaped his life, issues facing Carson City currently, mental health training for law enforcement and more.

1) Why did you want to become a member of law enforcement?

Growing up in a law enforcement family, many of the iconic members of the community that I was frequently acquainted with were law enforcement persons. Growing up, I perceived their actions as helping others and enjoyed the center ring of camaraderie that they all had. So as a child, I felt like those officers of the past gave us all an extended family presence and feelings of comfort and well-being.

At the age of 7 years, I met the Sheriff of the town for the first time, Sheriff Bob Humphrey, who had stopped by my home to visit my father (then an officer with the Carson City Police Department). From that point on, I just knew that all I ever wanted to be just like him. From then forward, my focus was singular and intent, I wanted to work at the Carson City Sheriff’s Office.

2) What do you think of as your biggest accomplishment as Sheriff?

Before successfully being elected Sheriff, I felt that the separation between law enforcement officers and the communities all across America had grown wide. This contrasted with how I grew up, and I wanted to see the department become a greater part of the town, the schools, and the families. Moving that character focus was challenging, but with the right persons in support of the concept, I knew that we could create a positive change.

From the very first day in office, we began creating initiatives that would bring the law enforcement families right to the front. And it all began with Cops-N-Kids fair, Open house, National Night Out, and other operational practices that allowed the department to develop relationships that were not created by tragedy. And now after 17 years, the Goal of developing “Strong Community Ties” remains at the top of our list of not just accomplishments, but our daily drive.

3) What is the greatest challenge Carson City is currently facing?

Carson City, like all communities across the country, is faced with severe challenges when it comes to mental health and addictive substance behaviors. It is because of these challenges that we have engaged in so many strong collaborative responses to bring about resources for those in need.

When we look into the heart of a community and witness those things that jeopardize our safety and wellness, it is most often mental health and addictions that are far too frequently at the core of the problem. Stepping up to this challenge has been a continuous drive.

4) Why is mental health training so important to law enforcement?

Times have changed over our generation and we no longer see the response of “brute force” and incarceration as progressive alternatives. Over the course of my career, and some would say my life, I have witnessed the presence of law enforcement in general as a precursor to the escalation of often very dangerous situations; one’s where no one escapes without injury.

It became very apparent to me that the law enforcement community everywhere had to acknowledge the fear that is often generated just by an officers presence. In response to this challenge, officers had to be re-trained on mental health responses, and be given to the tools to recognize the signs and symptoms of crisis to better de-escalate circumstances.

5) How has becoming Sheriff shaped your life?

As with any new adventure in life, everything changes. 17 years ago I fulfilled a life dream of becoming the Sheriff. Since then, much as changed, including the unanticipated routines of the Sheriff that I have found unexpectedly enjoyable. I spend most days at the office, but still have the latitude to continue engaging in those law enforcement activities that I found most satisfying in my career.

Working along-side the current and past officers of this department has been exciting. Today, I find myself often engaging in a variety of operations, collaborations, and governmental activities that I never would have imagined. The position of Sheriff is far more than I ever would have expected, and I cannot wait to get out of bed and do it again every day.

Tune in each week to learn more about our Carson City community members through the Five Questions series.