Three Democrats will face off in the Tuesday, June 11, primary. All three are seeking the party’s nomination in the race to succeed Henrico County Sheriff Mike Wade, who announced in February that he will not seek re-election.

Vying for their party’s nomination are Henrico Chief Sheriff’s Deputy Alisa A. Gregory; Harold L. Ford, a Richmond Police officer; and James Layne, a retired lieutenant with the Virginia Capitol Police.

Although he is a Republican, Sheriff Wade is backing Ms. Gregory in the primary. Mr. Layne ran against Sheriff Wade in the 2015 general election and lost by a 29-point margin.

The winner of the Democratic primary will take on Republican Bob Matson, a Henrico police detective, in the Nov. 5 general election.

Alisa Anderson Gregory, a Richmond native, grew up Henrico County. She started with the Henrico County Sheriff’s Office in 1998 as a deputy. During a 21-year career, she has risen through the ranks and currently is the highest-ranking female in the Sheriff’s Office.

Q: What is your platform for sheriff?

A:  I see the county moving and growing, and I think we can be even better. I want to make more progress in recruitment, retention and succession management.

Q: How would you increase the numbers of women and minorities in the Sheriff’s Office? 

A: The Sheriff’s Office has the highest numbers of women and minorities in the county as well as women in leadership roles. There are two female majors and seven captains in the department. The key factor drawing them is equal opportunity.

Q: How will you reduce inmate recidivism? 

A: The key is to evaluate inmates at intake, address medical and mental health issues as well as behavioral issues. We would then continue our present inmate programs to help them develop a life strategy and plan for education and employment as well as correcting any medical issues once they are no longer incarcerated. 

Q: How would you strengthen the bond with surrounding law enforcement agencies?

A: By forming a coalition to discuss law enforcement issues and collaborative efforts to address multi-jurisdictional offenders and mutual efforts to reduce crime. The coalition, with the help of community-based organizations, also could assist inmates to become successful in the community, particularly women inmates. I plan to help expand services for them, especially in housing.  

Q: How would you strengthen the relationship between the Sheriff’s Office and the community, particularly African-American males?

A: The Sheriff’s Office needs to do a better job of informing the community about our role and responsibilities and focus on the positive efforts law enforcement makes to help people. Our job is not about locking people up and warehousing them. We are here to have a positive impact on people’s lives.

James Layne, a retired Capitol Police officer and National Guard reservist, has 33 years of experience in law enforcement, Mr. Layne relocated to Henrico County in 1987, two years after started with the Virginia Capitol Police. He retired in January.

Q: Why are you running for Henrico sheriff?

A: This is always something I wanted to do. I want to make sure the Sheriff’s Office starts a community engagement program. This will include free crime prevention classes at the Sheriff’s Office and a program for our youths. I want our officers to be role models and mentors for our young residents.

Q: What has prepared you for this position?

A: In the Virginia Capitol Police, my responsibilities included developing and executing operational as well as action plans for large rallies and protests as well as special events. I have worked with regional law enforcement agencies, which provided me the opportunity to manage a large cross-section of police professionals and budgets associated with the operations.

Q: How would you work with the Henrico Board of Supervisors to ensure safety while maintaining a positive relationship with the community?

A: I plan to meet with them as well as attend their meetings and discuss law enforcement situations in the county.  I will listen and partner with them so we can collectively make decisions that affect county residents and the department.

Q: How would you increase the numbers of women and minorities in the Sheriff’s Office? 

A: I would start a sheriff’s advisory board with members of the community. At monthly meeting, we will discuss ways to increase women and minorities in the Sheriff’s Office. I also will have a diverse recruitment team going to colleges, especially historically black colleges and universities, and military bases to tell them what the Henrico sheriff’s department has to offer. At this time, women and minorities are well represented in the department.

Q: How will you reduce inmate recidivism? 

A: I would partner with Henrico County Public Schools and use their vocational centers to provide training for inmates in air conditioning and heating repair, cosmetology, food preparation and other skills to have them ready for work when they return to society.

Harold Ford is a former Marine who joined the Richmond Police Department in 1997. He has received numerous awards during his 20 years plus tenure with Richmond Police.

Q: Why are you running for Henrico sheriff?

A: I made the decision to run for sheriff three years ago. I believe we need to have more leadership in the Henrico Sheriff’s Office that is willing to stand up for what is right and work hard for all departmental staff, detainees and all of our fellow citizens. As a police officer, I found myself dealing with the same people. I found they were arrested multiple times for the same offenses — directly or indirectly tied to substance abuse and mental health issues. My goal is to change this by impacting, engaging and encouraging people in their everyday lives.

Q: What would you do differently as Henrico sheriff?

A: I want to restore the trust in the community, which I think is gone right now. A lot of people are afraid to talk to law enforcement officers for a variety of reasons. As a community and environmental officer for the last 15 years, I focused on community engagement every day, not just for special events. I plan to start a cadet program for middle and high school students, teaching the law, their rights, as well as teaching them to write résumés, job interview skills and other life skills.

Q: What would you teach young black men as it relates to unjust police treatment across the country?

A: I was born and raised in Mosby Court, in the projects. I saw police mistreatment first hand. I understand that perspective as well. The trust side of the equation is gone. I regularly go into the community to talk to African-American teens and ask them what they don’t like about the police and why.

Q: How would you strengthen the relationship with surrounding law enforcement agencies?

A: I would continue to build partnerships with surrounding law enforcement agencies as I did as a community officer. I want the Henrico Sheriff’s Office to be a model.

Q: How will you reduce inmate recidivism? 

A: I want to form a partnership with mental health and social services, as well as other agencies, to screen individuals before they are released, which will give us an opportunity to address issues they may have when returning to society, such as housing and employment, medical and mental health support.

Q: How would you increase the number of women and minorities in the Sheriff’s Office?

A: I have heard about some racist and unfair treatment to women and minorities in the Henrico Sheriff’s Office. I would partner with the Police Department to work together as a team to hire qualified people.