Oscar Ugarte: Immigration is a federal responsibility, and the state legislative process should not require local law enforcement agencies to engage in deportations. The concept of SB4 was questionable from the get-go, and I am happy to see that the recently signed law is being challenged by the U.S. Department of Justice. I am confident that it will be deemed unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. Arresting and deporting migrants will not be a priority under my leadership.

Robert “Bobby” Flores: The CCP is specific on the duties of peace officers in the State of Texas.  Peace officers are required to enforce all state Laws.   While peace officers will be allowed to arrest and deport migrants, the resources for enforcing these laws are not available.  Enforcing this statute will not be our priority as we don’t have the manpower or jail space to do so.  My priority will be based on maintaining community safety and protecting all victims of crime, regardless of immigration status.

Oscar Ugarte: It’s important to recognize that CIT was initiated nearly three years ago and has not been met with the ambition needed to properly respond to incidents. As Sheriff, recognizing and addressing mental health will be a top priority, requiring all incoming deputies to receive CIT Training by extending the existing training to ensure that deputies are properly trained and equipped with resources to prioritize de-escalation and connect residents with clinicians from our mental health authority.

Robert “Bobby” Flores: The Crisis Intervention Team has done a great job in mitigating incidents involving individuals suffering a mental health crisis.  All officers in the Sheriff’s Office are trained in De-Escalation Strategies and are certified Mental Health Peace Officers and jailers. I think we are on point with where we need to be, but we would evaluate their call volume and make adjustments if needed. We partner with EHN for this program, so any increase would need their commitment as well. 

Oscar Ugarte: I intend to increase the department’s presence in unincorporated areas that are not serviced by municipal law enforcement agencies. Desert areas like Red Sands pose a challenge due to the lack of roadway infrastructure for emergency vehicles. However, it does not take away from the responsibility to respond to criminal activity. Mobile Command Posts are strategies worth investing in to increase law enforcement visibility in large group gatherings, where it is currently inexistent. 

Robert “Bobby” Flores: Red Sands is in an unincorporated area of the county where shooting firearms is legal. We need to educate the public on the dangers of shooting in areas where people often gather and allocate the appropriate resources (additional patrols) during high volume attendance. Officers patrolling the area before large events are more effective than trying to take control once the area is full. The key is to be proactive and visible in the area. 

Oscar Ugarte: The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is designed to service unincorporated communities that are not within the jurisdiction of a municipality. The Sheriff’s Office is the highest-funded department in El Paso County government and I have no doubt that it will be adequately funded to meet future needs. Under my direction, I intend to exert federal funding opportunities from the U.S. Department of Justice to increase personnel and avoid tapping into local taxpayer dollars.

Robert “Bobby” Flores: I actually live in this area and rely on the Sheriff’s Office for police services. As a division commander with the Sheriff’s Office we are supposed to forecast necessary manpower to meet the growing community’s needs. This administration has failed to do that. These areas have grown immensely and need their own Regional Command Center to provide effective services to the community.  I would budget for a manpower increase and shrink district sizes for better coverage. 

Oscar Ugarte: Positives include immediate response to threats, deterrence, enhancing relationships with students, and crisis management. Negatives include intimidation, the potential use of excessive force, and expenditures for districts. State law requires districts to have one armed officer at each campus, and districts in El Paso are complying. I am committed to ensuring that every officer has training in mental health and can prioritize de-escalating high-risk situations among students and campus staff.

Robert “Bobby” Flores: Unfortunately, we are in a society where our children and schools are vulnerable to brutal attacks.  We need to allocate resources to protect our schools and keep our children safe. Schools without police departments are contracting with the Sheriff’s Office to provide SRO’s, and are paying for them through school taxes. I support having officers in schools not only for safety but to be ambassadors for our agency to our youth and teachers. They can provide both training and campus safety.