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Standing Up For What Is Right

 

 respect, ethics, honesty, and integrity signs

(photo courtesy Stuart Miles and freedigitalphotos.net)

 

As a Missouri Sheriff, and more importantly your Livingston County Sheriff, one of the inherited duties the Office of Sheriff has is to stand up for people’s rights, protect people and families, and disclose any lies and untruths with criminal investigations and complaints.

I consistently request myself and deputies be compassionate and understanding with victims. I guide our staff to give you an honest effort and be forthright with all sides of the story for the courts. Our job is to not only convict the guilty but also exonerate anyone wrongfully accused of an allegation.

The office of Sheriff is the last voice in law enforcement for people of each Missouri County. Being a Missouri Sheriff is completely different than any other law enforcement job. Over the years I have seen a few law enforcement officers possess the mentality of it is “Us Against Them”. Law Enforcement is not and never should be about making numbers or simply making an arrest because we have authority; it should be about ethical and proper service to the victim, suspect, and entire criminal justice system. We cannot lose focus on how we are here to help people and not hurt or punish them. We must look at the whole picture and not permit the truth to be manipulated or distorted for someone’s gain.

In the 15 years of serving as your Livingston County Sheriff, some very difficult decisions have been required, even reporting when necessary, improper act(s) or unethical behavior by law enforcement or public officials. I have followed my oath and promise in standing up when probable cause supported a citizen or even detainee was improperly or unfairly treated, or on rare occasion, physically abused. We at the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office also stand and support public organizations and officials when someone was not being fair with their comments or actions as well. By doing so, it may not have always been the most popular or “politically correct” decision, but it was nevertheless the morally and ethically right thing to do.

We cannot be one sided and only focus on the “Bad Guys”. There are good and bad people in all levels of society and in every occupation. There will always be crime and liars just as there will always be a need for law enforcement and the whole truth. Each of the 115 Missouri Sheriff’s took an oath to uphold the law, protect the Constitutions of the United States and State of Missouri, and to “Tell the Truth, Whole Truth and Nothing but the Truth, So Help Me God” regardless of the personal or political costs.

The position of Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff does not enable us to always make everyone happy. However, I am proud of the work the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office does and the consistent willingness and pride each and every one of us has in serving our public with dignity, respect, and most importantly in standing up for the rights and truth for every citizen. We are here to help you because we care.

Be safe,

Sheriff Steve Cox