Brett Hightower

Running for Sheriff

Age: 50 years of age Party: Republican

Occupation: (Retired) Bowling Green Police Captain/ (Retired) Master Sergeant Army National Guard

Relevant experience: My past training, experience and knowledge on complex community issues directly align me to progressively lead and direct the Warren County Sheriff’s department to the next level. I retired from the Bowling Green Police Department as a Captain in 2011, having started as a patrol officer and advancing through the ranks after working on the Neighborhood Response team to curb gang and drug activity, the Warren County Regional Drug Task Force, and the Critical Response Team.

In 2012, I was blessed to be hired by the United States Department of Justice as the Law Enforcement Coordinator for the United States Attorney in Louisville, Kentucky. I coordinated federal, state and local law enforcement within 53 counties to include two US military bases (Fort Knox and Fort Campbell) and acted as a liaison between them and the U.S. Attorney. My responsibilities were developing strategies to enhance coordination and cooperation among law enforcement agencies; helping to implement the DOJ’s Project Safe Neighborhoods Program (PSN), which involves gun violence strategies, anti-gang initiatives, and ex-offender reentry strategies.

Aside from my law enforcement career, I also served 21 years in the military to include service in the United States Marine Corp and the Army National Guard. During my military service, I graduated from the USMC School of Infantry, U.S. Army Ranger course, Airborne School and several other leadership schools. I deployed to Bosnia in 2002-2003 and to Afghanistan in 2007-2008 and was severely injured during a combat mission in Afghanistan in 2008. I am a Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient. I am also a third generation graduate of Western Kentucky University.

Warren County is a fast and growing vibrant community. We are in need of an innovative leader that can integrate varied experiences and new ideas. Additionally, we must utilize community policing and focus on increased diversity that adequately mirrors our population.

What is your platform?

My platform is to ensure that we have a forward leaning Sheriff’s Department that meets or exceeds the national standards of policing, fairly enforcing the law to all citizens with character and integrity in all interactions and increasing the safety of our local schools. We will utilize technology to capture intelligent data and that will help us evaluate where additional resources are needed as well as using existing manpower and resources efficiently. Lastly, I want to have a diverse work force to include minority and female deputies.

If elected, what would be your top priorities?

My priorities of work upon taking office will include:

– A certified, trained and experienced law enforcement expert that will lead from the front with professionalism, integrity, honesty, and a vision for the future growth of Warren County

-Meeting with every employee within the Sheriff’s department to discuss their ideas for increased efficiency and effectiveness to better serve our community.

-A complete assessment of the entire agency to optimize efficiency in order to meet national standards

– Ensure we are optimizing our protection of our schools and the most valuable resource, our children.

-Collection and utilization of identified statistical data to implement patrol sectors across the county in order to reduce crime and accidents

Additionally, through my work at the United States Attorney’s office, I have been integrally involved in the study of opioid abuse and heroin addiction. This is a real crisis facing our community and I look forward to ensuring we are engaged this problem with enforcement, treatment and compassion.