When Mitchell County residents vote in the March 3 Primary, they will likely be deciding who will hold the highest law enforcement position in the county. Shane Vance and Cecil Hobson Jr. are Republican candidates seeking to fill the Mitchell County Sheriff’s seat. There were no challengers on the Democratic ticket. Sheriff Donald Street announced late last year that he would not be seeking re-election.
The Mitchell News-Journal asked Vance and Hobson why they choose to run for office and their thoughts on law enforcement and public safety in Mitchell County.
Cecil Hobson
What made you decide to run for this office?
This decision was not made lightly. It came after careful consideration, many nights of prayer, and important discussions with my family and co-workers. Through that process, I felt a clear calling and conviction to step forward, confident in this decision and knowing that my experience, and commitment to service would allow me to lead the sheriff’s office in protecting the county my family and I have called home for generations.
What do you think are the most important law-enforcement and public safety issues facing Mitchell County in the next couple of years?
The biggest public safety challenges facing Mitchell County are addiction, mental health, and emergency preparedness. Drug activity continues to account for a significant share of arrests and repeat calls for service. I recognize the critical need to combat this problem through targeted enforcement and will make this a top priority.
Mental-health related calls have increased substantially, and while law enforcement is not a mental-health provider, we must continue to train, and adapt by strengthening partnerships, improving crisis response, and connecting individuals with the appropriate resources.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, we realized more than ever the critical need to be prepared and the importance of strengthening partnerships with emergency management and other emergency agencies to ensure Mitchell County is ready for future disasters, particularly given the increased wildfire risk posed by downed timber and our compromised infrastructure.
As sheriff, my focus will be on upholding the law, being prepared, and working together to keep Mitchell County safe.
What are some things that you would like to see changed about law enforcement in Mitchell County?
I’d like to see law enforcement in Mitchell County evolve in three key areas. First, addressing drug activity in a more targeted way to reduce overall crime and allow officers to focus enforcement through specialized narcotics operations. Second, strengthening partnerships and relationships within the county by working more closely with residents, local businesses, county officials and agencies to build trust, increase our community involvement and improve cooperation.
Third, beginning the process of elevating the standards of the sheriff’s office through state accreditation, which ensures officers follow best practices, improves accountability, enhances training, and provides the tools and support needed to make crime prevention efforts more effective.
What personal qualities do you think it is most important for a sheriff to have?
A sheriff’s most important qualities are leadership and integrity. Leadership begins by setting the example; it creates respect, which is earned over time through honesty, commitment, and a willingness to take charge and assume responsibility. Integrity is non-negotiable; it is a constant duty that must guide every decision. A sheriff must make decisions based on what is right under the law, not what is easy, and be someone both the public and deputies can trust.
What is your personal and professional background, and how has it prepared you to be sheriff of Mitchell County?
I am a lifelong resident of Mitchell County with family roots that span multiple generations. This is my home. My wife of 26 years and I have raised our three children here, and today they are raising their families here as well. As a Christian, an adult Sunday school teacher at Roan’s Chapel Baptist Church, and a member of the Gideons, my faith has guided my life.
Mitchell County is not just where I live; it is part of who I am. I have always been devoted to this county and its people. I began my work career at Mountaineer Builders under Marvin Miller and worked for over 15 years in the construction industry.
As construction opportunities in our area declined, I felt God guiding me to pursue a career in law enforcement, to serve my county in a different way. I completed basic law enforcement training at Mayland Community College, graduating as class president, and have since dedicated nearly 16 years to the Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office.
I was hired under former Sheriff Ken Fox as a patrol deputy and have progressed through the ranks, serving as detective, lieutenant detective, and for the past four years, captain. More than half of my career has been spent in supervisory roles.
Through extensive training, certifications, experience as a BLET instructor, and administrative work, I am fully equipped to lead this office. If elected, I will lead, serve, and stand for Mitchell County with the same resolve I have demonstrated throughout my entire career.
Shane Vance
What made you decide to run for this office?
I ran for office of the sheriff in 2010. I was a young officer; I had big plans and ideas. But I lacked the wisdom then.
I have always wanted to serve my county. The title of sheriff is needed to bring plans and positive changes. Now that I have 24 years, I feel I have the wisdom now. I also have the diverse experience in other places.
I want to use things that I’ve learned in other places to better the department and the county. I have a servant’s heart — always have, since I was a child. I want to show Mitchell County what is in my heart — putting the people first.
What do you think are the most important law-enforcement and public safety issues facing Mitchell County in the next couple of years?
There are many issues Mitchell County faces from a law-enforcement and public safety perspective.
I will always focus on the drug problem in our county. Drugs are in every county and community, making up 80 percent of the crimes committed, and leading to homelessness, domestic violence, thefts, break-ins, property crimes and many more crimes.
We have to be pro-active. We must work with other agencies, form task forces, have delegated officers to primarily focus on getting drugs off of our streets. Children suffer the consequences from
the actions of the parent’s choices and addiction.
The dealers do not care who they harm. I feel more can be done to put a dent in this cancer. As sheriff, I will focus on this issue. I want to have the reputation of putting fear into the minds of drug dealers. And not to bring that poison into our county.
What are some things that you would like to see changed about law enforcement in Mitchell County?
Going back to the drug problem, I’d like to see a task force to focus on the drug problem. The officers we have now, they cannot focus on drug cases only; they are answering calls and other duties.
I want a drug specific unit, working with other agencies. I’ve seen this work in other agencies I have worked at. I know how to make this work. I’ve lived it and seen it.
I’d like to see transparency, by reporting statistics to the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation. We currently do not report to the NCSBI. People should know what we are doing. The NCSBI crime statistics site is public information. People deserve to know what their tax dollars are paying for.
I’d also like to build a department where we have several applicants. I’d like to see a hiring process — interview boards and vetting. I’d like to see a field training program, with steps to complete, and be proficient in the steps — knowing we are setting a new officer out with skills to do the job. Law enforcement comes with great responsibility.
I want to be a place where people want to come to work. There are numerous things I could list, I’d rather just prove it through action given the chance.
What personal qualities do you think is most important for a sheriff to have?
I believe a sheriff should be approachable. People should feel confident they can approach their elected official.
Sometimes a badge puts blinders on officers. They forget we work for the people. A sheriff should be fair and consistent, treating all as equals and the same. A sheriff should also be involved in the community, supporting community functions.
Empathy is a major quality — treat people like you’d want your family to be treated. Never lose sight of the “serve” aspect. You can have empathy and be firm.
A sheriff should lead by example. Never ask your officers to do something you wouldn’t do yourself. Be there for your officers. Put trust in them to do their jobs.
Outgoing — a sheriff should be outgoing, willing to go above and beyond to help— especially a small county sheriff. Firm — a sheriff should be firm. When laws are broken a sheriff must be firm. Dedicated — a sheriff must be dedicated. It is a 24-7 job.
A sheriff has to answer the phone and have an open door. In law enforcement you will never make everyone happy. A sheriff must be able to take criticism, but stand firm when in the right — always do what is right over what is popular, and always uphold the oath.
Confident — a sheriff must be confident in making decisions. Look at all angles of a situation. Do not make spontaneous decisions with staff and with the public.
What is your personal and professional background, and how has it prepared you to be sheriff of Mitchell County?
I am a firm believer in God setting forth life experiences and circumstances to prepare us for something, whatever that something may be. I feel God molded me to be a servant. I feel this way because of my personal life experience, having been raised by my grandparents due to substance abuse masking mental health issues with my parents, which I understand more with age and experience.
I can relate to people who have experienced the same life circumstances, both the children and the addicts. I had a great childhood; my grandparents raised me to value lives, to help those in need and to be humble, to never judge or look down on people, and to help the underdog.
As a child, I was a caregiver when my grandparents got older. Not many 14-year-olds had to bathe their papaw or hear of sicknesses they knew nothing about. This made me beyond my years. Also, it made me have a servant’s heart. I wouldn’t change it for the world — it’s all God’s plan.
I am married for 25 years in July. We had a two-month early preemie. My wife and I lived in in the neonatal intensive care unit in Asheville for 34 days. He is strong and 24 years old.
It was a scary time, but again, it was God’s plan. Five years later we had another son. He is 19. We are very proud of them.
My professional background — I have done every aspect of law enforcement, primarily focusing on drugs. Due to my personal background, I wanted to save that one person, or change that one life. And thankfully, I was able to do that with some individuals.
I have been a patrol officer, detective, narcotics agent, undercover agent, Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission investigator, school resource officer, college campus police, and a prison guard, making up 24 years in law enforcement. I have been an instructor for other officers and cadets, teaching sheriff’s responsibilities and duties for many years. I feel God has molded me to be a leader, life experiences and professional.
God put this in my heart to serve as your sheriff.