Jeffrey Alderton
Cumberland Times-News
— OAKLAND — Garrett County sheriff’s candidate Robert E. Corley, a Republican who is a lieutenant in the department, said he is seeking the office “to give to the public in a more official capacity, just as I have given throughout my career.
“The sheriff’s office belongs to the people, not the sheriff, and I just hope they entrust me to manage it for them. I believe in the people of this county, and I know I can bring good things,” said Corley, who has served in the sheriff’s office for the past 15 years.
A graduate of Fairmont State College, Corley is a Maryland state-certified accident reconstruction specialist and a state-certified polygraph operator. He is also a graduate of the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development School.
Corley is assigned as the assistant jail administrator in the sheriff’s office and has served in the department in various capacities, including patrol supervisor, hostage negotiator, grant manager, community services administrator and as officer in charge of the county’s sex offender registry. He has also conducted the department's drug awarenesss and education program in Garrett County schools and in the public for the past 10 years.
If elected, Corley said he would monitor the office budget closely. “We have to really watch the finances to best benefit the sheriff’s office and, more importantly, the citizens of Garrett County.
“One thing I would eliminate that would save money is the use of off-duty vehicles for personal use. I don’t think it is effective spending to continue that policy, and it is not fair to the public.
“I would also keep intact the north and south end coverages and the town patrols, provided, of course, that the manpower is available.
“I would also like to see the Garrett Bureau of Investigation to come back into play, involving the Maryland State Police again and the state’s attorney’s office investigator. I personally believe having Maryland State Police involved combines our resources, networking and provides better service to the public.
“I also want to enhance the uniform patrol of the sheriff’s office by creating a more structured chain of command that will improve the patrol performance,” he said.
Concerning the sheriff’s office relationship with Maryland State Police, Corley said, “I can promise to make an effort to build a positive relationship with Maryland State Police. We will be more than willing to share our resources with them whenever they are needed. I’d like to see a good, positive relationship between the sheriff’s office and Maryland State Police.”
Corley also said he wants to have a “good working relationship” with the media.
“I have spent the last 10 years as the public education liaison for the sheriff’s office and have spent most of my career talking to the public. I will continue to do that. It’s a very useful tool in keeping the public informed and educated. I will also continue to serve on drug and alcohol awareness and education committees.”
Corley said he intends to attend town and county meetings at least once a month — “not only to hear the issues from the officials but to hear the citizens attending those meetings. I intend to work with the county commissioners to build a more positive working relationship.
“I’m not in it for one term. This is a commitment to the citizens as well as the sheriff’s office. I have 15 years invested in a 25-year career and if I don’t meet the expectation of the citizens in four years they will elect a new sheriff and I will have lost everything I've worked for. But if I am elected and do meet their expectations and do stand behind my commitments, they will re-elect me.”
As for his mentors, Corley said retired Sheriff Dick Sanders and current Sheriff Gary Berkebile are among them.
“I have never worked for a finer individual than Dick Sanders. The public loved him, and he was a very public person as sheriff. I was hired by him in 1995, and he recognized my ability to talk with people and put me in a position that allowed me to build positive relationships with the citizens of the county.
“Sheriff Berkebile promoted me to the rank of lieutenant and also continued to allow me to advance in my career. Sheriff Berkebile has also had a positive influence on me throughout my career, and he supports me in my bid to be elected sheriff.”
Corley and wife Sharon are the parents of two daughters, Madison, 13, and Sydney, 9. The family resides in Oakland.
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