Transparency
Trust comes from being honest and open, not from keeping people in the dark
I have been asked by many, why I am running for sheriff? My answer is simply because of you, your children, your grandchildren, your families. I was raised here in Claiborne County, on the same values that built our community: faith, hard work and looking out for one another. I have two sons who I chose to raise here. My wife Pamela, also a native of Claiborne County, raised her two daughters here.
This campaign isn't about a title or a paycheck. It's about service, responsibility and standing up for the people of this county and doing what is right even when no one is watching.
As your sheriff I will be guided by many clear core values. The first of these I want to share is Transparency.
What Transparency Means
As your Sheriff, I will bring transparency to the Claiborne County Sheriff's Office. Folks in our county deserve to know what is going on inside their Sheriff's Office and our Jail. Not only the good things, but also the problems we need to fix and the things that are uncomfortable to talk about.
Here are some of the ways I will bring transparency to our Sheriff's Office:
Public Reporting
I will begin by providing public reports that clearly explain what we are doing and how we are serving the community. These reports will cover things such as:
- Miles patrolled and proactive patrol work
- Litter patrol efforts and community cleanup numbers
- Arrests, indictments, and case updates
- Property checks and Animal Control statistics
- Jail population trends and daily operations
- Community outreach and public safety programs
People deserve to see how their tax dollars are being used and how decisions are being made. That same transparency will extend to the Claiborne County Jail as much as the law and safety standards allow. I will use every legal avenue available to ensure this information is accessible, clear, and easy to understand.
Presence and Engagement
Transparency also means being present and engaged. As your Sheriff, I will attend County Commission and public meetings, provide clear answers, and work openly with county leadership and residents to ensure the Sheriff's Office is represented honestly and responsibly.
"I personally believe this should be a requirement of the job moving forward."
Know Your Officers
I also want residents to know who is serving them. Not just a badge number, but the people doing the hard work every day. We will introduce our officers, staff, and leadership so the community knows who they are, what they do, and how to reach them.
Just as important, we will publicly recognize the men and women who work hard for this county. Their training, accomplishments, and service should be acknowledged and appreciated.
Technology for Transparency
Technology will help us achieve all of this. I will work to improve how the Sheriff's Office shares information by:
These are just some of the ideas. There will be many more ways to ensure transparency and keep our community informed.
Transparency turns law enforcement and the community into partners. That partnership is what leads to better decisions, better outcomes, and a safer Claiborne County.
This election isn't about me. It's about us and the kind of Sheriff's Office we build together.
A vote for me is a vote for transparency
Thank you for reading and I look forward to sharing more with you.
Michael Cavins
Candidate for Claiborne County Sheriff
Join the Movement for Transparency
Support a Sheriff built on openness, accountability, and service to our community