Sheriff Ronnie Howard preparing to run for reelection

SOMERSET COUNTY, Md. – The election for Somerset County Sheriff isn’t until November 2022, but Sheriff Ronnie Howard is already preparing to defend his seat.

Sheriff Howard says over his years with the Sheriff’s Office, he’s most proud of working with local government to support his deputies. Plus, the Sheriff points to recent technology improvements at his department. “One of the major accomplishments is the commissioners, and working closely with them to enroll us into the law enforcement officers’ pension system, which will help us retain the deputies we have, and it’ll be a great recruiting tool,” said Sheriff Howard. “We’ve reactivated our marine unit for the Sheriff’s Office. We’ve reactivated our canine unit. We also recently received a grant for a record management system that, besides the Sheriff’s Office, Princess Anne PD, Crisfield PD, and 911 will all be on the same system.”

Another milestone the Sheriff says he’s proud of is strengthening the county’s school resource officer program. “They are working wonders in the school system. We have definitely seen a decrease in juvenile referrals since they have been in the school system,” said Sheriff Howard.

Sheriff Howard says looking ahead, if he’s reelected he wants to focus on hiring more deputies, and increasing their pay. The Sheriff adds that he’s currently working to get his department nationally accredited. That would make the Somerset County Sheriff’s office the seventh in the state of Maryland to do so.

Beyond that, the Sheriff says he’s committed to continuing to serve the people of Somerset County. “I have worked Somerset County since 1986, as a young trooper, and here at the Sheriff’s Office. I’m born and raised here. I love this county. My family is here, and I’m going to do everything in my power to protect and keep the community safe.”