CANTON, Texas (KETK) – Current Van Zandt County Sheriff Joe Carter has been appointed in 2022 following the resignation of former Sheriff Steve Hendricks, who was falsely accused in the Texas Rangers investigation into excessive force. Ta.
this is my first time [Van Zandt County] Voters will head to the polls to elect their sheriff.
Voters will choose from four candidates: James Thompson, Chip Krieger, Kevin Bridger, and Anthony Katsulas.
“My door is always open. I want the public to trust the sheriff's department, to trust the sheriff, to have open communication and to be open with the public and with me,” Britt said. Jha said.
“The most important thing is to train your employees much better than they are currently trained. The idea is to train people to the extent that they want to stay with you and be loyal to you. ” Katsulas said.
Katsulas told KETK he has 45 years of law enforcement experience and currently serves as Enchanted Oaks Police Chief.
If elected as the next Van Zandt County sheriff, Katsulas said his plan is for the sheriff's department to be “independent from any organization or elected official in the county.”
Kevin Bridger is a U.S. Army Veteran and Master Peace Officer who has been in law enforcement for over 18 years. He said his heart is focused on protecting his family in Van Zandt County.
“We will make sure that all of our citizens feel safe, that we respond diligently to all calls, and that we ensure that our citizens feel safe and that we restore trust among our people,” Bridger said.
Chip Krieger is Kaufman ISD's police chief and has been in law enforcement for 17 years.
“As a leader in law enforcement, as a servant leader to the public, you are always serving the people. As a leader, you use your passion to ensure that the next police officer is shaped for the next step. I think there are, and I want to be trained at the sheriff's office,'' Krieger said.
Krieger shared what changes he believes need to be made.
“Response times, trained deputies leaving Van Zandt County to go elsewhere, salaries, just a few of the reputations,” Krieger said.
All candidates want to restore trust in the Sheriff's Department in the community.
