From: Committee to Elect Ty Thompson
Autauga County, AL
Long time law enforcement officer Ty Thompson believes the future of law enforcement relies on strong partnerships, operational efficiency, and renewed public trust.
With nearly two decades of experience, Thompson is positioning his campaign around leadership, operational expertise, and a commitment to strengthening public safety through collaboration and accountability.
Thompson said. “I am committed to protecting our community with integrity, strong leadership, proven experience, and open communication.”
With a background rooted in both federal and state collaboration and hands-on law enforcement experience, Thompson emphasizes the importance of rebuilding relationships at every level: local, state, and federal.
Thompson began his career in November 2008 with the Prattville Police Department after graduating from the Montgomery Police Academy. Over the past 17 years, he has worked across multiple divisions, building a well-rounded foundation in both frontline policing and leadership.
His early career includes six years in the Patrol Division, where he responded to a wide range of incidents, from violent crimes to routine service calls. In 2014, Thompson transitioned to the Drug Enforcement Division, where he spent nine years investigating drug-related cases at both the state and federal levels. For six of those years, he served as a Task Force Officer with the Drug Enforcement Administration, working on complex operations targeting drug trafficking organizations worldwide.
Promoted to Sergeant in 2018, Thompson supervised the drug unit and led major enforcement efforts, including cases with international connections. During this time, Thompson was also responsible for the department’s training. In 2023, he was promoted to Lieutenant in the Training Division, overseeing officer development by coordinating in-house training and ensuring compliance with continuing education standards.
He currently serves as a Lieutenant in the Criminal Investigations Division, where he is actively involved in investigating serious offenses such as homicides, assaults, and elder abuse cases.
Beyond his primary assignments, Thompson has been a member of the department’s Special Operations Team since 2012 and now serves as its Team Commander. He is also the Lead Firearms Instructor and holds multiple certifications in areas including Active Shooter Response, FBI and NRA Firearms Instructor, SWAT operations, and less-lethal tactics.
Throughout his career, Thompson has participated in and led more than 400 high-risk operations, written policies to raise qualification standards department-wide, and has secured over $120,000 in grant funding for departmental equipment.
A key component of Thompson’s campaign is his emphasis on interagency cooperation. Over the years, he has worked closely with a wide range of local, state, and federal partners, including district attorneys, judges, emergency management agencies, and multiple law enforcement organizations across central Alabama.
He has also built relationships with federal agencies such as the U.S. Attorney’s Office, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, ATF, FBI, and Homeland Security Investigations. Thompson says these partnerships are critical for addressing serious crime and securing additional resources.
“Having someone actively involved in federal task forces is essential,” he said. “These relationships not only help us target violent offenders but also bring in funding and support that benefit our entire community.” Further, Thompson stated, “Federal sentencing guidelines carry a heavier weight when it comes to sentencing. This helps us put repeat offenders in prison for a lot longer.”
Thompson’s approach centers on collaboration over competition, both within the Sheriff’s Office and across neighboring agencies.
“It’s not about egos; it’s about making Autauga County safe for everyone,” he said. “By sharing resources and personnel in specialized roles, we can put more deputies where they belong, on the road, serving the public.”
He also emphasized the importance of strong working relationships with the judiciary and District Attorney’s Office, built through consistent communication and solid investigative work.
If elected, Thompson says he will lead the Sheriff’s Office with a focus on four core principles: integrity, leadership, professionalism, and communication. He plans to prioritize transparency, strengthen partnerships with other law enforcement agencies, and ensure deputies are equipped with the training and resources needed to serve effectively.
“Higher standards in training, qualifications, and physical fitness / overall health are an important aspect of what I hope to bring to the Sheriff’s Office,” Thompson says. “Raising the standard instead of just meeting the minimum standard creates an environment where people are proud to serve and, more importantly, want to stay”.
His plans include increasing patrol presence to reduce response times, strengthening investigative operations, and ensuring deputies have the training and resources needed to perform effectively. He also emphasizes transparency and open communication with the public and partner agencies.
Thompson has highlighted response times as a key concern, stating that delays of 30 to 45 minutes are unacceptable. His plan includes assigning more deputies to patrol and ensuring they remain in their designated areas to improve efficiency and visibility.
When asked about community relations, the candidate offered a clear philosophy: trust is earned through action.
“Community relationships are built through trust, and trust comes from competent policing,” he said. “People need to know that when they call 911, help will arrive quickly, and their case will be handled with professionalism.”
He also outlined a plan to develop future deputies internally by hiring young candidates into jail positions, where they can gain experience and training before becoming certified officers. Thompson believes this approach will help build a stronger, more consistent culture within the department.
“This allows us to build deputies the right way, from the ground up, while also addressing staffing needs in the jail without increasing salaries,” he explained.
He contrasted this with hiring experienced officers from other agencies, noting that while it may be faster, it doesn’t always result in the best cultural fit.
Thompson acknowledged the financial strain associated with the Autauga County Metro Jail and emphasized the importance of moving forward collaboratively.
“My opinion on how we got here doesn’t matter,” he said. “What matters is how we move forward.”
“The past is less important than how we move forward,” he said. “The Sheriff’s Office must have a working relationship with the County Commission, and I am committed to finding common ground.”
He noted that recent expenditures will likely impact county budgets and said his administration would focus on efficiency, resource sharing, and cost-saving measures to prevent further tax increases, lay-offs, or degradation of infrastructure. These measures include keeping deputies within assigned districts to reduce fuel and maintenance expenses. Also shared resources through partnerships with surrounding agencies. “When there is a budget shortfall, you either have to increase income through taxes, or cut expenses. You simply cannot continue to spend money”.
Thompson also addressed what he called “the elephant in the room”, his father’s role as Chief of Police in Prattville.
“I’ve heard the concerns,” he said. “People wonder if my dad would control the county or if I’d run things like the city.”
He was direct in his response. “My father runs a department of 103 officers responsible for 40,000 plus people, and is nearing the end of his career; he’s not looking to take on more. Have I been influenced by him? Of course. Will I seek his advice? Absolutely, why wouldn’t I? He was with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office for 30-plus years and has a total of almost 50 years of Law Enforcement experience. But I am my own man, and I will make my own decisions.” Thompson expressed that his father actually tried to talk him out of running for the position, but he said he felt the need to try to better the county in which he lives. “I am not running to create a ‘monopoly’ as I have been told, I am running because I believe I can make a difference in Autauga County,” Thompson said.
“Autauga County deserves a Sheriff’s Office built on trust, accountability, and community partnership,” Thompson said. “I am committed to fostering those values while building a safer, stronger county for every citizen.”
Thompson asks for the vote of all Autauga County residents on May 19 to lead the Sheriff’s Office into what he describes as a future grounded in professionalism and collaboration.
For more information, follow the Ty Thompson for Autauga County Sheriff Facebook page.
