Name: Luis Garcia
 Age: 60
Occupation:  Retired - Former Director for Field Operations, Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security
 Website: www.luisgarciaforsheriff.com
 Residence: West Side 

Relevant Experience (for print, will be edited 100 words max): 

Served in Vietnam, was wounded and was awarded a Purple Heart and Army Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service.

Criminal Justice degree from UTEP.

Served as a Border Patrol Agent, Inspector, Adjudicator, and Special Agent with INS.

Served as the INS Director in Mexico City and in El Paso. Served as the Director for Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security.

Managed an 800-bed detention facility. Built two new dormitories, new medical, laundry and dining hall facilities and two immigration courts. In 2000 we received the American Corrections Accreditation Certificate.

Have managed 1,200 employees and a budget of $116,000,000.

1. What role would you direct the Sheriff's Department to take with immigration enforcement? 

The Sheriff’s primary role will be to serve and protect. Any detentions or arrests will be for violation of the criminal laws of the United States. Criminal aliens will be included in this category. Routine immigration enforcement is a Federal function.

2. What is your position on consolidation of police and sheriff? If you support it, what specific steps will you commit to? 

I have gone through a successful consolidation (merging) of three agencies. Federal law had to be amended first. The State of Texas statutes will have to be amended before any complete consolidation can be brought about. However, there are efficiencies that can be created through a planned consolidation of certain activities (training, motor pool, communications, etc) with the support of the people of El Paso.

3. What is your position on privatizing prisons in general, and El Paso's in specific? 

In certain circumstances I support privatization, however not in the Sheriff’s department. The current structure has well trained professional detention officers who are a feeder to the deputy sheriff positions. A deputy sheriff with a detention background has the necessary background to reach a higher-level command position.

4. What is your position on the new state law that allows officers the discretion to write a ticket for possession of marijuana under 4 ounces? Should such discretion be exercised in El Paso? 

I do not support providing this discretion to our officers. This is a fist step to decriminalizing the marijuana laws. We live in a high-threat marijuana corridor. This law will only encourage initial recreational use, which later becomes an addiction. 

5. Do you support citizen review committees? If so, what powers or authority do you support? 

I support citizen advisory committees that can be a community sounding board for the Sheriff. That is but one way to gauge the effectiveness of the Sheriff’s organization and to learn of citizen concerns. A leader who is tone-deaf to the needs of the community has no place in that organization. I do not support a review committee that exercises authority over the Sheriff’s office.

6. How would you balance using confiscated funds to bolster the budget and the potential to abuse confiscation to bolster the budget? What controls are or should be in place? 

Confiscated funds can be a godsend to cash strapped agencies and tax-weary citizens. Policies and procedures need to be carefully crafted to ensure all seizures are done in accordance with appropriate statutes and regulations. This requires that the legal department review all applications for seizures, and provide a legal summary for the Sheriff’s review, prior to authorizing the confiscation of cash or property.

7. What is the current relationship between the union and the command? What should the relationship be? 

The payment of overtime issue was an irritant and when settled left a bad taste with the command. In my view, rather than negotiating from pre-determined positions, the union and the command should have negotiated from an interest-based perspective--attack the problem, not each other. The relationship should be productive, not destructive.

8. What do you believe is the biggest issue facing the department? 

The biggest issue at the moment is re-gaining the trust and confidence of the people in certain parts of the county. The Sheriff needs to reach out to these sectors and reaffirm the “to protect and to serve” mandate of the office. No one, regardless of status in this country, should be afraid to call the Sheriff’s office.