Curtis Cooper for Hampton Sheriff

HAMPTON, Va. - Curtis Cooper, 47 currently serves as the cities Neighborhood Watch Coordinator.

Cooper graduated from Hampton High School, and attended TNCC where he majored in police science. He attended Christopher Newport University where he complete the MAPSI program wth a 4.0. He has extensive training and certifications by the FBI, Secret Service, NCIS, DEA, ATF and the State Department. He is certified as a crime prevention officer. He completed crisis intervention training, anti-terrorism training and advanced Hostage Negotiations training. He is a certified Genral Instructor.

Cooper has a grown daughter, Tenisha, and resides in Hampton with his children, Isaiah 11, Paris 12, and Donte, 17 years old.

Below are some of the thing Mr. Cooper says he will focus on if elected Hampton Sheriff:

-- My biggest priority will be to restore dignity and improve morale in the Hampton Sheriff's Office. I will further ensure that all inmates will be secure and treated fairly and humanely. I will ensure the safety of citizens and Court staff by improving the security of all Hampton Courts.

-- I feel the jail is not being operated in a safe or fair manner. An inmate told me that he had to have his lawyer sue the current sheriff because the sheriff had refused to provide him the proper diet for his medical condition. It was not until the court ordered the sheriff to comply was the inmate given the correct diet. I feel that the camera sytem is outdated and in serious need or replacement. The deputies have complained that it is very difficult for them to see the inmates, and the radio sytem is in need of replacement. Some report that the radios are held together by rubber bands.

I would personally do an assessment of all of the jail, lockup and all of the courts for threat vulnerability. I would assure that the Deputies and staff have state of the art equipment to perform their duties.

-- Sheriff's deputies are sworn to uphold the law just as police officers are. I believe that they should be able to make arrests but not be required to do so. In today's economic times with budget cuts and restraints, crime will rise. As police they are few, and with the eyes and ears of citizens, they are more. By allowing the deputies to make arrests, we are many.

-- Yes, to eliminate failed and nonproductive programs that don't benefit the inmates or the citizens of Hampton. An example of one is the food service. The current Sheriff contracts out the provision and distribution of meals to the inmates. A subcontractor is more expensive than an in-house operation. Another advantage to an in-house operation is that it would provide some inmates with job training in food preparation for re-entry into the community.

-- The voters have the opportunity to put an end to the status quo, to the way that things have been done the last 17 years. The voters have the ability to restore integrity and build the morale in the Hampton Sheriff's department. Curtis Cooper has been and is dedicated to the citizens of Hampton. That includes the general public as well as inmates in the jail. He has committed himself to protecting all citizens regardless of race, creed or gender. He has worked across party lines and city agencies to implement programs that improve the quality of life for all citizens. He does not take credit for himself instead emphasizing that it is a team effort to accomplish the mission.