This is to announce my candidacy for election to the Office of Sheriff of Montgomery County, Maryland in September, 2010. It is my honor and privilege to be considered for leadership of a Sheriff's Office that has been in existence since 1777 and was the first nationally accredited sheriff's office in Maryland.

Sheriff Raymond Kight, Montgomery County's elected Sheriff for the last 6 terms, has decided not to seek re-election in 2010. As Sheriff Kight's Chief Deputy for the past ten years, it has been my pleasure to work and learn from an innovative, professional and forward thinking law enforcement executive. Under Sheriff Kight's leadership and with my assistance as Chief Deputy, the Sheriff's Office has grown into a modern judicial and law enforcement agency providing unique, specialized services to the county's citizens, as well as to the legal and law enforcement community.

Over the past years, we have transitioned the Sheriff's Office into a law enforcement agency that not only fulfills our traditional role in the service of legal process, protecting the courts, transporting prisoners and apprehending fugitives, but provides responsive services to the community. We have developed a well respected family law unit that provides immediate law enforcement and social service intervention in domestic violence situations. On May 18, 2009, the Sheriff's Office, in coordination with the Montgomery County Council, County Executive and State's Attorney, formally opened one of the first Family Justice Centers in the State of Maryland to provide one stop service to victims of domestic violence. Over 1,000 clients have received services during the FJC's first few months of operation.

All Montgomery County Deputy Sheriffs are now trained at the Montgomery County Public Safety Academy and certified as police officers by the Maryland Police Training Commission. The Sheriff's Office SWAT team, K-9 explosive detection teams, and hostage negotiators deploy throughout the county in cooperation with the Montgomery County Police Department. Our deputies now serve in major regional Federal, State and County law enforcement task forces including the U.S. Marshal Service's Capitol Area Regional Fugitive Task Force (CARFTF), and the Police Department's Firearms and Gang Task Forces.

To learn more about my candidacy or to find out how you can participate in my election campaign, please explore this web site, visit Popkin for Montgomery County Sheriff 2010 on facebook.com, email me at DarrenPopkin@DarrenPopkinForSheriff.com, or call 240-351-6411.

Thank you for considering me as your next elected Montgomery County Sheriff.