Nancy Chapman
Churchill County Sheriff Lee Orozco outlined his priorities for the Churchill County Sheriff's Office during a candidate forum hosted by the Churchill County Republican Central Committee on July 16, emphasizing leadership continuity, recruitment, training, and technology as the department prepares for the November election.
The forum, held after the committee's monthly meeting at the Old Post Office, was intended to feature both candidates seeking election as sheriff this fall. Candidate Michael Davis was unable to attend because of a prior commitment.
Orozco, who was appointed sheriff by the Churchill County Commission on April 17 following the death of Sheriff Richard Hickox, told attendees the department's greatest challenge is maintaining experienced leadership while recruiting and preparing the next generation of deputies.
"After Hickox passed, that changed everything," Orozco said. "My intention is to make sure we keep that leadership steady up top, that people have knowledge and experience, and to get training for those who are down below."
A 30-year veteran of the Churchill County Sheriff's Office, Orozco said recruiting and retaining qualified deputies remains one of the agency's top priorities. He said the Sheriff's Office has a young workforce with limited experience, making training and mentorship essential to preparing future leaders.
Orozco also discussed grant funding that has allowed the Sheriff's Office to purchase equipment and expand training despite tight county budgets. He said those grants have supported active-assailant training and other initiatives that would have been difficult to fund through the county budget alone.
Among the projects underway, Orozco said the Sheriff's Office is working to implement RapidSOS and Live911 technology. According to Orozco, the systems would allow dispatchers and deputies to receive emergency information more quickly, improving response times during critical incidents.
Orozco also addressed operations at the Churchill County Detention Center, describing the jail as one of the Sheriff's Office's highest-liability responsibilities. He said the Churchill County Commission has approved funding for two additional deputies and a jail sergeant beginning Oct. 1, a move he expects will reduce overtime, ease employee burnout, and help address staffing shortages.
During a question-and-answer session, audience members asked about reserve and explorer programs, license plate reader technology, deputy recruitment, and public safety.
Orozco said the Sheriff's Office is rebuilding its reserve deputy program for adults interested in volunteering with the department. He also defended the department's Motorola license plate reader system, saying it is controlled exclusively by the Sheriff's Office, includes safeguards to prevent misuse, and has helped locate stolen vehicles, missing persons, and wanted suspects during investigations.
Responding to questions about recruitment, Orozco said the department is looking for people who want to build careers and raise families in Churchill County rather than using the agency as a stepping stone to larger law enforcement agencies.
The forum concluded following approximately one hour of discussion.
Editor's note: Sheriff candidate Michael Davis was unable to attend the July 16 forum because of a prior commitment. The Churchill County Republican Central Committee has scheduled a separate candidate forum for Davis in August. The Fallon Post will cover that event to provide readers with comparable coverage of both sheriff candidates.
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