PRESS RELEASE:

Less than five months after the Rutherford County Commission appointed Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh, the Rutherford County Detention Center was recertified and other reforms implemented. Announcing his run in the Republican Primary for Rutherford County Sheriff today, Fitzhugh said his ultimate vision is to lead the men and women of the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office to become a model law enforcement agency.

"I'm really proud of what we've accomplished in a short amount of time," Fitzhugh said. "We want to be an agency that others look up to and model, not only for law enforcement, but for corrections, as well."

The Tennessee Corrections Institute found no deficiencies during its final inspection of the 958-bed Rutherford County Detention Center in May. The facility was built in the late 1980's, but was decertified in November 2016, while under the previous administration, potentially opening the county up to inmate complaints, lawsuits and federal oversight. Fitzhugh and detention staff revised policies and procedures, moved 400 wall-mounted bunk beds, installed 22 new showers, and made various other improvements. "I thank the team in the Detention Center who made the improvements to regain state certification," Fitzhugh said.

Fitzhugh worked for the Rutherford County Sheriff's office for 19 years, overseeing patrol, communications, criminal and civil warrants, and records, before retiring in 2013 as a Captain. Prior to his law enforcement service, he was a member of BellSouth's management team for 25 years.

"Having management experience outside of law enforcement has enabled me to bring a different perspective to the Rutherford County Sheriff's office. We've been able to improve the impartiality of the hiring process, better manage our budget and seek certifications to bolster both employee morale and public perception," Fitzhugh said.

The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office is comprised of 522 employees and a daily average of 834 inmates. "We have an excellent management team that is allowed to do their jobs, and our employees are taking pride in the Sheriff's Office and the work they do. We want to continue to create a good working environment for the people who protect and serve our county," Fitzhugh said.

Since taking office, Fitzhugh has worked closely with the County Mayor and the County Commissioners and returned $2.2 million to the county from the 2016-2017 budget and reduced the current year budget by $500,000. "We're watching overtime, buying only what we really need, and working with the divisions to make sure we are frugal with the taxpayers' money," he said.

In addition to implementing needed reforms and new processes, Fitzhugh is leading an effort to obtain certification for the Property and Evidence Unit by the International Association of Property and Evidence. If successful, the office would be the first in Tennessee and the ninth in the nation to earn this certification.

Fitzhugh was successful in obtaining the funding to modernize the Records and Jail Management mechanized systems. "Upon completion, we will be able to electronically communicate with the Rutherford County Court system, which will drastically reduce the paper flow and provide increased efficiency," he said.

Having resolved the issues inherited from the previous administration, Fitzhugh and his team are now able to focus on the kinds of improvements that are more typical of a sheriff's office.

"I will continue in our efforts to reduce the recidivism rate, working with community and faith-based organizations to find jobs for those who have served their time. I am committed to actively making the county safer through proactive patrol, investigation of crimes, and service of criminal and civil warrants. I will continue to support the School Resource Officers' Program with certified, trained SROs assigned to our county schools," Fitzhugh said.

"I want the citizens to know that I will continue to build on the restored integrity, dignity and respect of the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office," he said.

Fitzhugh is a member of the Tennessee Sheriff's Association and a United Way of Rutherford and Cannon County board member. He is a graduate of Murfreesboro Central High School and Middle Tennessee State University.

Fitzhugh is the son of the late Anne and Steve Fitzhugh. He and his wife, Janice, have 6 children and 16 grandchildren. The Fitzhughs are members of the First Baptist Church.

The Republican Party primary is May 1, 2018, with early voting April 11-26.