Crime is on the rise in communities big and small, and defending public safety is one of an elected official’s most fundamental responsibilities.

But there’s a big difference between those who say they “Back the Blue” and those of us who actually provide law enforcement the resources, training and technology they need to keep officers and our community safe.

In my nearly seven years as Henderson County Judge-Executive, I’ve led Fiscal Court to back up our rhetoric with resources by steadily increasing funding for the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office.

The primary targets for additional financial help have been salaries and benefits. We want to be certain we have competitive pay packages so that we can attract and retain quality, professional officers.

From the year I started as judge to the 2022-23 county budget that was just passed:

• Salaries for deputies have increased 24.6 percent
• Total compensation (pay, retirement, health insurance) has increased 28.6 percent

Fiscal Court also wants to be certain our Sheriff’s Office has equipment that is up-to-date, safe and effective. So, in the timeframe mentioned above:

• Spending on new vehicles increased 39 percent
• Spending on vehicle maintenance increased 43 percent
• Expenses for ammunition, supplies and related expenses stayed at levels reflecting costs at the time.
• Beginning last year, and for the first time, deputies are now being reimbursed for the cost of cleaning their cruisers and uniforms.

Bolstering sheriff’s offices has never been more important for counties, due to the challenges the Kentucky State Police has dealt with in recent years. Starting in the mid-2000s, the General Assembly consistently cut or froze KSP budgets for salaries and equipment. Those dangerous policy decisions made KSP one of the lowest paid state forces in the MidSouth. Poor salaries and old, decaying gear and cars decimated KSP’s trooper numbers, putting even more pressure on counties to provide the rural policing once handled by the state.

It was an unacceptable outcome from Frankfort politicians that left our courageous law enforcement officers in the breach.

KSP is just now beginning to recover, so the task of keeping Henderson Countians safe still rests primarily with our Sheriff’s Department.

I’m proud to support local law enforcements and to make sure they have the funding and equipment necessary to keep Henderson County families safe.

So, give officers the resources they need and public support when it’s deserved. To me, that’s how you “Back the Blue”. Or, in the county’s case, “Back the Brown”.

Let’s keep the momentum going!

-Brad