From the Joe Sedinger Campaign
Editor’s Note: Each political candidate is allowed one free article to make their announcement prior to any election.
As the election for Autauga County Sheriff approaches, Sheriff Joe Sedinger said he is looking forward to continuing to serve the residents, and upgrade the department, hire more deputies and add additional training. He is seeking his third term as sheriff and the election will be held May 24.
“I am running for re-election. I have been with the Autauga County Sheriff’s Office for more than 28 years and have served in every position from Reserve Deputy to my current position as your sheriff. I have worked in patrol, investigations, narcotics and administration while at the sheriff’s office. Since being elected sheriff I have made many improvements to make Autauga County a safer place to live, work and raise your family,” Sedinger said.
Among the improvements Sedinger has overseen:
The creation of the Citizens Academy, Building, Business and Home Security Checks; Increased Patrols; 24-Hour Coverage of the County; Upgraded all the Patrol Units, Upgraded Narcotics and Investigation Units and added new K-9 units for drug detection; and placed Deputies in all County Schools as School Resource Officers.
He is very proud of the new Computer Forensics Unit, and new computer operating system for the Sheriff’s Office and the Jail. There is a new Live Scan fingerprint machine, as well as a body scanner for the jail to prevent contraband.
Sedinger said training is always important, and ever-changing. He wants to make sure his deputies have all of the right training for the job, for any circumstance that could occur within the county.
The Sheriff is currently working with the Autauga County Commission to continue the construction of a new firing range and training center for the deputies. Also, during Sedinger’s time as sheriff, a new Animal Control Unit was established.
And for a bit of fun, the McGriff the Crime Dog and Eddie Eagle programs bring a lot of joy to kids and citizens alike, Sedinger said.
As for the future, Sedinger said he has plans to continue to upgrade his department. These include hiring additional deputies to increase patrols throughout the county. He sees a need to hire additional narcotics investigators in the ongoing battle against illegal drugs. He wants to continue educating children on the dangers of drug use.
He would like to start a Civil Process Unit to give deputies more time to patrol. A big part of the job for the sheriff’s office is serving subpoenas and warrants. While this is a primary job for the department, he knows how important it is to patrol as many areas as possible, as often as possible. Most of the small communities his department serves do not have their own police force.
A big project for Sedinger is to complete the Metro Jail to prevent overcrowding and improve all services to better serve the inmates and citizens.
“As for the completion of the jail, that authority technically falls under the Autauga County Commission, but I want to work with them to see the completion through as quickly as possible,” Sedinger said.
Sedinger is a veteran of the United States Army, the Alabama National Guard and the Navy Reserves. He ended his military career as a decorated combat veteran.
He is married to Leona Rawlinson Sedinger and they have two children. He is active in Centerpoint Fellowship Church, Prattville Lions Club, Prattville Masonic Lodge, Shriners, the American Legion and Prattville Chamber of Commerce.
“I ask for your vote to continue serving as your Sheriff for Autauga County,” Sedinger said.
