Jim Hedlesten has more than 40 years of training and experience in management and Law Enforcement. His calling and passion came to him at the age of 19. After joining the Ohio Highway Patrol as a "Cadet Dispatcher" for one year, Jim attended the Ohio State Patrol Academy, Upon graduation, he was then promoted to "Patrolman" (trooper) and reassigned to the Patrol Division. Then promoted to "Sergeant, "Lieutenant" and "Superintendent's Staff" as a "Section Commander," in charge of both Ground and state-wide Aviation Enforcement activities. Then, on to "Staff Lieutenant and Section Commander."

Finally retired at the rank of "Captain and Section Commander," overseeing both Ground and Air and all "Special Response Team" Operations, his Highway Patrol career spanned nearly 35 years.

Sheriff Bill Shepard, at the initial time of hiring Jim, wished to reorganize his office and develop a supervisory ranking system. Shepard assigned him to the rank of "Major" to oversee these changes.

With the retirement of Bill Shephard, and election of Sheriff Crites, Jim was retained to oversee the Patrol Division, which is responsible for patrolling the county and answering all the citizens "calls for service."

Jim Hedlesten has an extensive and impressive formal education and formal training history. From the inception of his career and throughout its entire 40-plus years, Jim has attended thousands of hours of specialized and recurrent training in all Law Enforcement fields involving upper and middle management, supervision, collective bargaining and labor laws, promotional assessment, personnel evaluation, criminal and administrative investigations, civil disturbances, firearms and all facets of police operations, using up-to-date technical aids and equipment.

Not only was he trained in these fields, but throughout his extensive career, has been called upon to use this specialized training. This list covers all aspects of Law Enforcement Operations, Administration, Personnel and Training Procedures as follows:

Education:
Loveland High School
Colleges:
Ohio College of Applied Science, Major - Engineering
Ohio State University, Major - Education
Columbus Technical Institute, Major - Marketing
University of N. Florida, Major - Police Management

Jim completed the Missouri Peace Officers' Standards and Training Program (P.O.S.T.) and received his "Class A" in 2001, prior to employment with the Howell County Sheriff's Office.

Continuing Education Credits (a minimum of 48 credits with a three-year period) must also be earned. Jim has 118 credits as of May 2008, with the remainder of the year to be seen.

Many courses are repeated and updated throughout the many years of training. These areas of expertise are listed here only once due to space restrictions.

Formal Training consists of the following: including, but not limited to:

• Cadet Dispatcher
• Ohio Highway Patrol Academy
• Report Writing
• Organization and Administration
• Accident and Criminal Photography
• Physical Conditioning
• Ethics and Performance
• Departmental Forms
• Study Techniques
• Government (National, State, Local)
• The Constitution and Bill of Rights
• The Patrol Act
• Courts, Structures and Jurisdiction
• Juvenile Courts and Procedures
• Affidavits, Charging Offenses
• Municipal Court Attendance
• Common Pleas Court Attendance
• Laws of Arrest and Criminal Procedures
• Laws and Rules of Evidence
• Presentation of Testimony in Court
• Motor Vehicle Laws
• Criminal Statutes
• Uniform Traffic Code
• Federal Law Enforcement Agencies
• Federal Criminal Statutes and Procedures
• Principles of Fingerprinting
• Fingerprinting of Arrested Subjects
• Collection and Preservation of Evidence
• Technical Laboratory Examination of Evidence
• Chemical Tests for Intoxication
• Radar for Speed Enforcement
• Traffic Law Enforcement
• Accident Prevention and Selective Enforcement
• Coding of Violations and Accidents Causes
• Motor Vehicle and Aircraft Accident Investigations
• Hit-Skip Accident Investigations
• point and Area Control of Traffic
• General Criminal Investigations
• Notes and Sources of Police Information
• Interrogation, Statements and Confessions
• Report of Investigation and Preparation for Trial
• Trials
• Auto Theft Investigations
• Subversive Organizations and Operations
• Narcotics
• Automobile Arson Investigations
• Nomenclature Care and handling of Firearms
• Basic Ballistics
• The Use of Firearms in the Line of Duty
• Note Taking and Observation
• Identification and Description of Persons
• Public Relations and Public Contacts
• Patrols and Special Duties
• Misdemeanor Arrests and Warning Techniques
• Felony Arrests, Search and Transporting of Prisoners
• Military Drill
• Domestic Disturbance Control
• Swimming and Rescue
• Body Recovery
• School Bus Inspection Procedures
• Driver Exam Procedures
• Aeronautics Regulations and Investigations
• Public Utilities Commission Inspection Reports
• Portable and Pit Truck Scale Operation
• Truck Weighing
• Oversize and Overweight Permits
• Road Blockade and Manhunts
• Raid Organization and Operations
• Disaster Operations
• Civil Defense Operations
• Self Defense (Boxing, Disarming, Judo, Police Baton, Mace)
• Public Speaking
• Geography
• Police Communications Systems
• Radio Operation (Control, Post and Mobile)
• Post Operations
• Desk Duty on Post (Dispatching)
• Motor Equipment (Care, Maintenance and Reports)
• Patrol Car Driving
• Police Supervision
• Personnel Interviews and Evaluations
• In-Service Troopers Annual Recurrent Training
• In-Service Commanders Annual Recurrent Training
• Accident Investigations and Refreshers
• First Aid (Standard and Advanced)
• Riot Control
• Intoximeter
• Radiological Monitoring
• Officer - Coach Training
• Parliamentary Procedure Training
• Sexual Harassment
• Rules and Regulations
• Weapons Training
• Weapons Semi-Annual Recurrent Training
• Transitional Firearms
• Employee Assistance Program Training
• Academy - Special Response Team
• Camp Perry - Special Response Team
• Camp Sherman - Special Response Team
• Ashley, Ohio - Special Response Team
• London Correctional - Special Response Team
• AFSCME Contract Training
• Labor Relations
• Collective Bargaining
• Contract Administrative
• Assessment Center Promotional Evaluation Assessor Training
• Pope and Associates Management Training
• VASCAR Operations
• Missouri Peace Officer's Standards and Training Program (P.O.S.T.)
• Interview Skills
• Alcohol Breath Instrument Training
• HAZMAT
• Tactical Weapons s/1 rifle
• Uniform Crime Reports
• Racial Profiling
• Beyond Ticket
• Domestic Violence Response and Intervention
• Severe Storm Identification
• Documenting and Testifying in DWI
• Checkpoint Supervision
• Standard Field Sobriety Testing
• Drug Interdiction
• TAZER
• Railroad Safety
• Police Law
• Police Law, Continuing Education (Twelve classes per year)
• ICS100 (Homeland Security Incident Command System Course)
• ICS700 (Homeland Security Incident Command System Course)
• ICS300 (Homeland Security Incident Command System Course)
• Emergency Response to Hybrid Vehicles
• Breath Instrument Training
• TAZER Re-certification
• Highway Safety Conferences
• Animal Abuse Law
• Dealing with the Deaf

Other Special Training and Skills:

• FBI, DEA, Secret Service, US Border Patrol, Navy Seals, MO P.O.S.T., Missouri State Highway Patrol, Department of Homeland Security, US Department of Justice.
• FBI Media
• Special Response Team (S.R.T.) with Air Support (mostly known as SWAT)
• Aviation Section Operations Commander
• FAA Certified Flight Instructor, Fixed-Wing and helicopter
• FAA Safety Seminars
• Pilot, Fixed Wing, Single, Mult-Engine and Helicopter
• Bell Helicopter School
• Bell Helicopter School Recurrent Training
• American Eurocopter Factory Training AS350B2
• F.L.I.R Operations
• Loran Navigation
• AOPA Flight Instructor Bi-Annual Recurrent Training Courses
• Charter Member Airborne Law Enforcement Association
• Airborne Law Enforcement Regional Safety seminars
• Airborne Law Enforcement National Conferences

Experience:

With more than 40 years in Law Enforcement and management, Jim Hedlesten has made thousands of "common sense" decisions where no formal training was available.

Jim Hedlesten is a firm believer of proactive Law Enforcement to deter criminal action and defuse crime.

A "decades long" Section Commander, Jim Hedlesten has overseen both ground and aerial support. Officers engaged in all types of enforcement activities.

Jim Hedlesten was one of two Organizers and Commanders of the "Special Response Team" (S.R.T.) with Aerial Support. (Same as S.W.A.T.)

Enforcement operations have lead Jim Hedlesten throughout the entire state of Ohio and he has testified in most of the courts in that state.

Jim Hedlesten assisted in restoring order in numerous civil unrest and riots. One of which included one of the deadliest riots in history leaving four dead, scores injured and tremendous property damage.

Jim Hedlesten also assisted in quelling three maximum penitentiary riots. The Columbus Ohio State Penitentiary in June 1968 and August 1968. The August riot held nine Prison Guards as hostages in this deadly confrontation. By the time the siege ended, five inmates were dead, nine inmates, three guards, two Columbus Police Officers, and two Ohio Highway Patrol Officers were injured, along with a number of building that were destroyed.

The Maximum Security Ohio Penitentiary in Lucasville, Ohio 1993, erupted as one of the worst in history. It lasted eleven days and left one guard and nine inmates dead. Many people were injured. The inmates caused 40 million dollars in damage. Jim Hedlesten was a Command Officer of the "Special Response Team" at that incident.

Jim Hedlesten also has 15,000 flight hours in fixed-wing and helicopter. Jim served as an Airborne Law Enforcement Eastern District Director.

Committees:

Jim Hedlesten participated in the Ohio Highway Patrol Committee to earn re-accreditation by CALEA (Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act, Law Enforcement Accreditation Program) in the United States. The Ohio Highway Patrol has received successful re-accreditation five times since 1989 and received two national Law Enforcement Excellence Honors. The agency was selected as a Flagship Agency Award recipient and has also received the Meritorious Award from the Commission on accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. To this day, the Ohio Highway Patrol remains a highly respected organization.

Jim Hedlesten participated in the Superintendent's Committee to develop a 5-year plan for the Ohio State Highway Patrol

Jim Hedlesten currently participates in the Highway Safety Committee for the State of Missouri.

Awards and Accomplishments:

• Dozens of Newspaper Articles and Newscasts
• 40 Commendation Letters
• 30 year Safe Driving Record
• Trooper of the Year - London Post, 1969
• Law Enforcement Grants and Administration
• Letter of Appreciation - President Ronald Reagan and VP George Bush
• Letter of Appreciation by Ohio Governor Dick Celeste
• Airborne Law Enforcement Certificates of Awards

Jim Hedlesten is the Co-Founder and Co-Commander of the first successful Ohio Highway Patrol "Special Response Team" (S.R.T.). Most people recognize this special team as "SWAT." This team also incorporates the use of aircraft where needed. Since Jim's career began in the early 60's, this decade spanned many riots and "Civil Unrest".

On Easter Sunday 1993, the Maximum Security Ohio State Penitentiary in Lucasville, erupted as one of the worst in history. It lasted eleven days and left one guard and nine inmates dead. Many people were injured. The inmates caused 40 million dollars in damage.

There were hostage situations, murder, booby-traps, mutilations, death-row inmates and destruction everywhere. Jim was a Command Officer at that Incident.

Jim Hedlesten is experienced in making day-to-day common sense decisions in all operational and administrative situations. Extensive years of service at all levels have afforded him the opportunity to utilize the training he has received and to encounter situations which require "common sense" decisions where no formal training was available.

Jim Hedlesten is dedicated to protecting your rights. With every promise, comes a duty. With the core values instilled into him in the very beginning of his career by the Ohio Highway Patrol: Honesty, Sense of Urgency, Attention to Detail, Team Oriented, Professional (Punctual, Courteous, Prepared, and Well-groomed) Adaptability, Self-Discipline (Accountability) Performance Driven and Officer Safety, he still carries those values to this day. With these values, he will always be dedicated to protecting the law-abiding citizens of Howell County.

Goals -

• Jim Hedlesten will bring an enormous amount of experience and management skills to the "Office of Sheriff" if elected.
• Improve respect for the citizens and be respected by the citizens of Howell County
• Improve Pro-activity in Crime Prevention
• Improve Budgetary Efficacy
• Improve the Jail Facility and Court Security Measures
• Increased Manpower on Patrol and Supervision
• Improve Civil Process Capabilities
• Improve Customer Relations
• Improve Professionalism with Professional Ethics
• Improve Time Management
• Improve inter-agency relations
• Improve on-going training to achieve a highly trained staff

Pro-activity in crime prevention - Howell County Sheriff's Office is going to efficiently utilize effective proactive enforcement to apprehend criminals that utilize roads. The introduction of location-based information will assist us in aggressively pursuing areas of increased illegal activities.

It is not just about catching speeders and drunk drivers. We are focused on making Howell County communities safer through using professional traffic safety services to apprehend dangerous criminals who are seeking to bring negative influences such as drugs or weapons into our neighborhoods.

Criminal Activity is occurring on our roads, and one of the most serious crimes are the illegal narcotics and stolen goods being transported. Much of which is destined to eventually wind up in our very own communities.

Some of these criminals are using vehicles, sometimes stolen, to violate our "peace of mind and the security of our families and property." I am more dedicated than ever toward our goal of preventing crimes and arresting violators.

We will have on-going training to achieve a highly trained staff technically balanced Investigative Division to solve crimes committed against the people of Howell County.

"My solemn promise to the people, because after 40+ years I still care" -

• I will be there for the people. Your problems are my problems. I will be everyone's Sheriff, the best Sheriff Howell County has ever had. "A 24/7 Sheriff."
• I will have an open door policy for anyone who wishes to speak with me.
• I can and will enhance the current strengths of the Sheriff's Office and improve its weaknesses.
• I will be vigilant in crime solving.
• I will train my staff how to better service your calls.
• I will create a safer environment for you and your families.
• I will create 'peace of mind' and security for your homes and property.
• I will assure that my Deputies are more assessable and visible than ever before.
• I will spend spend taxpayers monies efficiently and wisely.
• I will protect your rights and your property rights.

Howell County, where the people come first!