Laura Goodman Announces Candidacy for Ramsey County Sheriff
Posted on 29. Jan, 2010 by Chris Dohman in Elections, Ramsey County, Ramsey County Sheriff Department
Release by the office of the Goodman for Sheriff committeeSaint Paul, MN – Citing a need for a new leadership at the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, Laura Goodman formally announced her candidacy for Ramsey County Sheriff.
“A growing number of people have lost faith in the current Sheriff’s leadership and it’s time for a change,” Goodman said on Wednesday. “We need to return the focus of Ramsey County Sheriff to serving the community.”
Currently Director of Public Safety at St. Catherine’s University, Goodman brings 30 years of law enforcement and criminal justice experience to the job. She has served as Deputy Sheriff of Ramsey County, Sergeant and Acting Lieutenant in Minneapolis and Deputy Chief in Brooklyn Center. She was also appointed Ombudsman for the Minnesota State Office of Crime Victims, where she served for 10 years.
“Throughout my career, I have stood up for what is just and fair, both for myself and my community,” Goodman said.
Goodman is the former president of the International Association of Women Police (IAWP) and is currently chair of the IAWP Board of Trustees.
In her announcement Laura Goodman outlined her candidacy.
As Sheriff, one of Goodman’s top priorities will be professionalizing policing practices by building relationships with neighborhood groups, businesses, schools, faith communities, community organizations, new Americans, local units of government and other law enforcement agencies.
“Community policing is not a program,” Goodman said. “It’s about transforming the culture in law enforcement to effectively work with our communities.”
Goodman will tap her experience in city, county and state government to advocate for public safety through existing partnerships with local law enforcement agencies to save taxpayer dollars as well as through joint purchases, better collaboration, and prioritizing budgets.
“In tough economic times, government and law enforcement need to be smart in how we use the taxpayer’s dollars,” Goodman said.
Laura Goodman cited the controversy over the Metro Gang Strike Force as an example of what happens when leadership fails to uphold its mission. Goodman believes that future joint powers agreements with law enforcement agencies should be designed in a way that ensures officers behave with the highest professional standards, that civil rights are not being violated, and that there is accountability at the top.
“I believe that law enforcement professionals and community members, working together, can make our communities safer,” she said. “We can confront violent crime in our communities without violating anyone’s civil rights.”
Fighting crime is more than arresting and incarcerating offenders. The State of Minnesota and Ramsey County should support proven prevention and intervention programs for at-risk youth. It costs $60,000 a year to house a young offender in Red Wing. Through effective intervention programs, Goodman will open new paths for young people to become productive community members.
“Investment in prevention and intervention not only contributes to public safety but is fiscally responsible,” Goodman said.
Under Goodman, the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Department will adopt and maintain the Blueprint for Public Safety, a coordinated approach to combating domestic violence.
“I have trained law enforcement locally, nationally, and internationally, and I will bring best practices training to the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Department,” Goodman said.
- Her campaign is co-chaired by: Sen. Dick Cohen, Sen. Patricia Torres Ray, Rep. Mindy Greiling, Rep. Michael Paymar and Marlene Kayser.
- For further questions, please contact the campaign communications director Kathleen Murphy at 612-709-6350.
- For more information about the campaign or Laura Goodman’s background, visit www.goodmanforsheriff.com.
- To speak to Laura Goodman directly, call her at 651-698-7976.
