Since taking office, Sheriff Craddock has done an outstanding job modernizing the Craig County Sheriff’s Department. There is now a new Computer Aided Dispatch center (CAD) which has enhanced not only the 911 capabilities, but also the dispatch capabilities to ensure the citizens are getting the best possible services. The Department is able to respond more efficiently to emergency calls and keep detailed records which allows them to track services provided. Dispatchers no longer have to use hand written logs, the CAD system captures all data. This is a vast improvement in 911 response and record keeping. The CAD system was received through a grant the Department applied for under Sheriff Craddock’s leadership. Starting this month,Sheriff Craddock’s department is rolling out a new incident based reporting system. The old system was so old that it was no longer supported.
During his tenure,Sheriff Craddock has also improved things for his employees. He has worked behind the scenes to increase not only the starting pay for deputies, but also advocated pay raises for all his existing employees including dispatchers. He has taken the needs of his team to the County Administrator and the Board of Supervisors negotiating and securing increases and over time funds for the deputies and dispatchers. It is vital to keep deputy pay competitive with surrounding localities in order to retain quality employees. He has requisitioned new, updated police vehicles including a modern animal control truck all while staying within his budget. Sheriff Craddock provided his team with modern, updated equipment such as new pistols and patrol rifles. Deputy vehicles now have prisoner transport cages which protect our deputies and gun mounts up front allowing easier access to needed equipment. Each deputy now carries life saving tourniquets and two doses of Narcan for cases of opioid overdose.
Sheriff Craddock has a total of 30 years of law enforcement experience. He progressively worked his way up from starting out as a Roanoke City police officer after graduating from Radford University, to spending 22 years as a Virginia State Trooper and K9 handler and finally serving as our Sheriff. He has advanced himself and works hard to advance his Department. In this day and time, it is critical for the public’s safety that our Sheriff’s Department stays current and modern. A vote for Sheriff Craddock is a vote to keep making progress!
Rufus Flinchum
New Castle Resident