To The Citizens of Dallas County, Iowa:

I would like to announce my intention to run for re-election as your Dallas County Sheriff. Let me first start by saying I have enjoyed the past five years as Sheriff and have respected the office that you've selected me to represent. I believe the office continues to improve over time as we continue to make Dallas County a premier Law Enforcement Agency. We have done this by providing a solid infrastructure, strong leadership, accountability, training and quality community outreach programs just to name a few.

When I talk about our infrastructure and leadership I'm referring to the quality employees that make up our Sheriff's Office. I feel we go above and beyond when we select and train our employees to provide a better service to our citizens. The employees always seem up to the challenge of new tasks and are always willing to help with new and important programs that better our Sheriff's Office.

Since my special election in January of 2007 and my re-election in November of 2008 we have sent our staff to more training than ever before. We allow the Deputies to attend schools that not only enhance our office but benefit the public as well. We've added a traffic investigator to the ranks, driving instructor, three members to a joint SERT team with the metro police departments, three firearms instructors, court security officers, and a number of other positions to name a few. A better trained staff will undoubtedly provide a better service.

In the past five years we have developed programs such as the Chaplain Program, the Reserve Deputy program and the Character Building Academy with several other agencies designed as a paramilitary program for the youth in and around Dallas County. The academy is designed to teach our youth the importance of discipline by means of military style training. We provide courses in the importance of our flag, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, how to be a good citizen, interviewing for a job, and forgotten virtues that made up this country. We also host an annual car show fund raiser for Special Olympics and two annual shooting events to raise money for our Shop with a Cop program.

In 2007 I was the first Dallas County Sheriff to ever attend the National Sheriffs' Institute in Longmont, Colorado. The Sheriff's Institute was made up of first-term Sheriffs from across the country to come together and talk about leadership and other issues that apply to Sheriff's Offices across the country. In 2008 I was the first Dallas County Sheriff ever selected to attend the National FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. This was a ten-week school made up of Officers from all 50 states and 23 different countries. The academy was second to none in training, services and opportunities. In 2010, I completed an 18-month Certified Public Manager course at Drake University which helped with understanding a number of issues presented to managers in this day and age.

I believe that my vision, along with my genuine concern for the future of our Sheriff's Office has come from my life experiences, Marine Corps background and my training in law enforcement. I would like to ask the citizens of Dallas County for your vote in the Primary election on June 5th and again on November 6, 2012. For a list of endorsements and for more information please visit our web site at leonardforsheriff.com.

Sincerely,

Chad W. Leonard
Dallas County Sheriff