Sheriff Cullen sat down with me Sunday afternoon to share that he is formally announcing his re-election bid to continue to be your Storey County Sheriff.

“Four years ago I campaigned on bringing in new strategies and new ideas and creating better partnerships. I had realized that in order to provide better service to our resident we must create a cultural change within the Sheriffs Office and that is exactly what we have done.” Sheriff Cullen, through grants and donations, has ensured the growth of the Department and it’s Deputies in talent, empathy, and skill.

“This change involved a more pro active approach in patrol operations and proper investigation techniques and required that we create better partnerships with agencies and departments, both inside and outside of our county to build safer communities and provide the best public safety for our residents and visitors.”

I asked Sheriff Cullen what he is most proud of during his first term; “I am so incredibly proud of the team we have created and all of their hard work and dedication. We now have a solid foundation of leadership and shift in cultural standards that will provide a strong base to continue to grow with our county and provide the best public safety service for our communities. During my first term, my direct leadership has allowed for several notable accomplishments including different programs and units.”

Sheriff Cullen has overseen the successful creation of the following teams during the past three years.

“A full time School Resource Officer Position. Initially staffing the schools with one dedicated deputy and now I have created another position by working with the school district for a second school resource deputy. The K9 drug detection program, staffed with two full time deputies and one reserve deputy we have been able to take a substantial amount of drugs off our community streets and deter drug related crime in our neighborhoods.”

“There is also the traffic enforcement program. Known as S.T.E.E.R. in which we stress education over enforcement using grant and donation funding to bring safety campaigns and events to our residents. This increase in proactive traffic education has allowed for 0 fatalities on Geiger Grade during big events in Virginia City and reduced fatal and major injury crashes county wide by nearly 100%. Another addition is the Search and Rescue Unit in order to safely and properly respond to off road rescues and incidents. This unit allows like minded community members to come together and help our residents and visitors in times of distress.”

“Storey County Sheriff has brought back reserve deputies and built strong cadet and volunteer programs. Our volunteer programs provide us with steady increase to our capabilities by increasing our staffing levels during big events with little to no cost, and allow interaction with our community members which allows them to experience the criminal justice system in a positive manner.”

“Creation of a specialized off highway operations team, known as our S.O.H.O. team, they provide education outreach to our off road community and interact with the many off road users plus events in and around Storey County. There is also the M.O.S.T, mental health outreach team. Creating partnerships with Community Chest and Health and Community Services Dept. we have been able to provide mental health assistance to our communities with a positive approach that is intended to keep people out of the criminal justice system by providing necessary services.”

Sheriff Cullen continues to make progress in other areas too, “the inmate work crew program which has turned out to be overwhelmingly positive and helped get some of our inmate workers established on better paths in life as well as cleaning up graffiti and trash in and around all of the different communities in Storey County.”

He also reported an, “increase in solved investigations by incorporating specialized investigation equipment and techniques we have solved numerous crimes that would have otherwise gone unsolved, and restoring staffing levels, building morale and creating a stronger atmosphere of teamwork and collaboration we have brought staffing levels up allowing for increased patrol presence which in turn has created safer communities, reducing response times and literally saving lives.”

“Better quality community engagement by interacting with community members during events and meetings we have been able to bridge gaps and create better communication with the public. Also by instituting our citizens academy and working with our neighborhood watch strengthens our relationships.”

“Full and complete transparency to ensure that our residents and visitors are completely aware of everything we are doing to provide for their safety and well being. I was able to institute the use of our Sheriffs app for press releases and general information as well as strengthening our social media footprint to clearly engage with our communities.”

“I would not have been as successful with all of the plans and ideas I had, without the overwhelming support of our dedicated staff, sworn, civilian and volunteers, they have truly made these successes possible. Their professionalism and commitment to protecting our communities, supporting each other and coming together to create a strong foundation for the future of the Storey County Sheriffs Office is truly inspiring. I strongly believe that together we have created this foundation of trust, strength and partnership with the residents of Storey County.”

“I will not stop, I will continue to work hard and remain dedicated. I will continue to enhance public safety, protect our communities, create long lasting and strong partnerships, and remain fully transparent.”

“My mission and the mission of the Storey County Sheriffs Office will always be to enforce the law professionally and aggressively, and with empathy and protect our quality of life in Storey County. I will always remain accountable and dedicated to serving our communities and I will continue to lead with strength and integrity.” Your Sheriff, Michael S. Cullen. Incumbent Candidate for Storey County Sheriff

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