Pebbles files for county sheriff

On the ticket for Hot Springs County Sheriff is Daniel Pebbles.

Pebbles was born and raised in Hot Springs County and lived most of his life here. In 1986, he hired on as a detention officer and was in the position through 1990 before getting into electrical line work. He came back to law enforcement full time at the Hot Springs Sheriff’s Office in 1992.

In his experience with the sheriff’s office, he’s have 5.5 years as a detention officer, 14 as a jail administrator, 10 years as a lieutenant/undersheriff and more than 15 years doing criminal investigations. He added he has about 2,000 hours of specialized law enforcement training with a primary focus on interview and interrogation.

Pebbles said the biggest issue that needs to be addressed is lack of leadership. The department is small, he added, and the administrative aspects and duties of the sheriff are minute, and doesn’t require him to be at the desk all the time. “I plan on being a working sheriff,” he said, going out and conducting criminal investigations, assisting deputies when needed and doing any job that needs doing.

Pebbles also wants to address the rift between the police department and sheriff’s office. He said it’s imperative they have a good working relationship and common goals as they serve the same people. He also wants to address the management and management style in the jail to make sure the inmates are treated with respect.

Pebbles would also like to put the office in a more positive light when it comes to complaints and help assure people they can bring issues to the office without fear of repercussions. “If we make a mistake I will be the first to admit it.” He also wants people to know they can contact him any time.