PALESTINECHAMBER . ORG 41 official , I ’ m confident he understands the importance of government transparency as well as the working relationship between the Sheriff ’ s Office and the Herald-Press .”
It has been a long campaign trail for Flores who announced his bid for the office in October 2018 . He has waited to take office since his landslide victory against Jeff Taylor in the March Republican primary .
This was Flores ’ first bid for public office .
Flores served Anderson County as a Texas Ranger from 1996 to 2015 . With more than 33 years of law enforcement experience , Flores began his career in 1982 with the Galveston Sheriff ’ s Department .
After moving to the Galveston Police Department , Flores was recruited by the Texas State Troopers in 1988 . He moved to Anderson County in 1996 , when he was appointed to the Texas Rangers . He served as a Department of Public Safety trooper , sergeant , and Texas Ranger until his retirement in 2015 .
After retiring from the Texas Rangers , Flores cofounded a law enforcement training and consulting company . It has trained roughly 1,000 officers and crime-scene investigators per year from dozens of police agencies in several states .
Never one to rest on his laurels , Flores has lofty goals for the sheriff ’ s office .
During the campaign , Flores pledged to run a “ responsive and accessible sheriff ’ s office .”
“ That can only be attained by putting the right people in the right positions ,” he said . “ We ’ re going to identify the abilities and attributes of all ACSO employees , assess their strengths , and put people where they belong .”
To best serve the community , he said deputies must be properly trained and held accountable for their actions . The accountability , he said , must come from the top .
“ Actions are reflections of leadership ,” Flores said . “ I intend to hold everyone to a standard according to the laws , policies and procedures . Law enforcement
Sheriff Rudy Flores , showing off his new badge , with the Honorable Michael Davis , judge of the 369th Judicial District Court .
officers must operate under a standard of ethical conduct . Someone once said , ‘ without integrity , nothing else matters .’ That ’ s what I mean by ethical conduct .”
Flores has noted that one area he will work on will be deputy recruitment and retention .
“ Not being bound by civil service , as is the police department , I can recruit people with experience – retirees who have worked crime scenes for 20 years .”
He also plans to bring in seasoned retired officers to look at cold cases .
Flores said he understands he will , as sheriff , have a far different role than he had as a Texas Ranger .
“ A Ranger ’ s duty is to provide services to the community for which he or she is assigned ,” he said . “ A sheriff works as part of the community . A sheriff helps mold , shape , mentor , and provide support to deputies and staff .”
Flores vowed to run a transparent sheriff ’ s office .
“ Of course , there ’ s always going to be things law enforcement can ’ t talk about , particularly in open investigations ,” he said . “ But yes , open communication and press releases are an important tool ; being transparent as possible is good not only for the sheriff ’ s office and the community , but for the officers and jailers , as well .”
Flores said he wants to hear from the people of Anderson County .
“ I want to hear your thoughts and concerns ,” he said . “ I am humbled and honored by the volume of support I ’ ve received from the people of Anderson County .”
Flores has a bachelor ’ s degree and a Master Peace Officer License . He is a graduate of the Leadership Command College at Sam Houston State University ’ s Law Enforcement Management Institute .
Sheriff Flores with his wife , Becky .