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Scott Stockton seeking second term as sheriff
Scott Stockton is a Republican candidate seeking his second term as Putnam County sheriff.
Stockton was born in Putnam County, in the old hospital, and graduated from North Putnam High School. After graduation, he attended Vincennes University, attaining an associate’s degree in law enforcement and later received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Concordia University, magna cum laude.
He has been married to his wife Jamie for 32 years. Jamie is an associate professor at DePauw University, where she is also chair of education studies.
“Prior to being elected sheriff, for over 27 years, I worked for one of the most demanding police agencies in the State of Indiana -- the Indiana State Police,” Stockton said. “Throughout my career, I was well trained and educated in the cutting edge of modern policing strategies and the best practices of police management.”
Stockton’s State Police service included road patrol, accident investigation, criminal investigations, financial crimes and undercover operations.
“While undercover, I was selected to serve as a Task Force Agent with the ATF, DEA and FBI,” Stockton said. “During that time, I was a two-time recipient of the U.S. Attorney’s Award for outstanding investigations.”
He tried to bring lessons from the agencies to PCSD.
“As I began my first term, I vowed to bring the best practices and management strategies of the Indiana State Police, ATF, DEA and FBI to the sheriff’s department,” Stockton said. “Over the past four years, we have instituted significant changes in professionalism and the delivery of police services.”
Stockton hopes voters have taken notice of the changes, which include implementation of:
• A meaningful mission statement that presents the core, guiding principles of the Sheriff’s Department.
• A formal citizen’s complaint and internal investigation process to cause all citizens’ complaints and/or allegations of employee misconduct to be documented and reviewed.
• Comprehensive standard operating procedures, regulations and policies that ensure consistent and professional police service standards.
• A formal performance evaluation system, uniform standards and inspection protocols.
• Character development, moral recognition therapy, anger management and other educational opportunities for those offenders returning to our communities.
• A professional, competitive and empirically scored merit deputy hiring process that includes academy physical standards, background investigation, medical and psychological testing.
During the past 3-1/2 years, Putnam County deputies have responded to more than 28,000 calls for service.
“As sheriff, I have insisted that our employees live by the philosophy that we serve the public, the public does not serve us,” Stockton said. “It has been my practice to not only educate the deputies in the essential basics of policing, but also instill in them the core values of ethics, integrity, professionalism and service to others. I am very proud of the manner the men and women of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department serve you.
“In closing, I would ask the citizens of Putnam County, ‘Are you more proud of your Putnam County Sheriff’s Department today than you were four years ago?’ If the answer is yes, I would appreciate your vote in the primary election on Tuesday, May 8.”