Nicholas On The Issues
The Sheriff’s Office plays a vital role in both protecting and supporting our community, often during its most difficult moments. I believe in strengthening that role by investing in our deputies and ensuring they have the tools, training, and support they need to serve with excellence. At the same time, we must continue building trust with the people of Autauga County through transparency, outreach, and a commitment to public safety that goes beyond enforcement. I’m not looking to change what works, I’m running to improve what’s possible, for both the deputies who serve and the community they protect.
Supporting Our Deputies
Our deputies are a critical part of keeping Autauga County safe. They deserve the training, tools, and support needed to do their jobs effectively and confidently. By prioritizing continued education and preparing deputies to respond to medical emergencies, we strengthen public safety and improve outcomes for the people they serve. Supporting our deputies means giving them what they need to protect and care for our community at the highest level.
Improved Training for Deputies
Public safety starts with well-trained deputies. In Alabama, sheriff’s deputies aren’t required to complete annual training after the police academy, a gap that can leave communities vulnerable and deputies without the necessary skills to serve the community. With access to nearby police academies and colleges, we have the tools to do better. As your sheriff, I will make it a priority to ensure our deputies receive ongoing, advanced training every year. Not just to meet minimum standards, but to exceed them. Better-trained deputies are better prepared to respond to emergencies, de-escalate dangerous situations, and protect the people of Autauga County.
Medical Training
I’ve heard the concerns of Autauga County residents about the slow response times of medical professionals and ambulances for life-threatening emergencies. This isn’t just a local issue, it’s a challenge rural communities face nationwide. In many cases, law enforcement is the first to arrive on scene. I’ve seen how other sheriff’s offices across Alabama and the country have addressed this by training and equipping deputies to provide emergency medical care.
We’re fortunate to have the Alabama Fire College in nearby Tuscaloosa, where many of our full-time and volunteer firefighters receive EMT certification. As your sheriff, I will work with the County Commission to ensure that every shift includes at least one EMT-certified deputy, someone ready to stabilize and provide lifesaving care until paramedics arrive. This is a practical, proven solution that will save lives here in Autauga County.
Recruitment & Retention
Anyone who runs or works in a short-staffed business knows retention is a challenge. Law enforcement faces the same issue in finding and keeping qualified candidates after investing time, effort, and resources into training them. As your sheriff, I will work with local organizations to recruit talented individuals transitioning from military service, those starting their law enforcement careers, and experienced officers seeking a supportive agency and community. Together, we will build a strong team to serve Autauga County.
Committed to Autauga County
I am dedicated to serving Autauga County with transparency, responsibility, and a focus on community. That means keeping you informed about crime, department efforts, and how your resources are used. It means finishing long-overdue projects like the county jail in a way that benefits our community and supports local jobs. And it means investing in programs that connect with our youth, build trust, and prepare the next generation of law enforcement leaders. Together, we can build a safer, stronger Autauga County.
My Commitment to Transparency
I believe that transparency is essential to building trust between the Sheriff’s Office and the citizens of Autauga County. As your sheriff, I am committed to keeping you informed about what is happening in your community and within the department. This means providing regular updates on crime activity, sharing how your tax dollars are spent, reporting on new programs and crime reduction initiatives, and informing you about grants awarded and how they benefit the Sheriff’s Office. I will also communicate important safety information that affects you directly. Using social media and other communication tools, I will ensure you are always up to date and involved in the work we do to keep Autauga County safe.
Completing Our County Jail
The county jail has been a topic of concern for over a year. The unfinished top floor that has sat vacant for more than 20 years. I will work closely with the County Commission to complete this important project, but I will not ask the citizens or county to bear the full cost alone. By partnering with federal law enforcement, we can house federal inmates awaiting permanent placement in the finished space. The federal government will cover their housing costs, bringing additional revenue to the Sheriff’s Office. This funding will support the jail’s completion, create jobs for local residents interested in criminal justice careers, and strengthen our cooperation with federal partners in law enforcement.
Building Community Connections
Public perception of law enforcement has changed since I began my career. As your sheriff, I will launch programs like the Jr. Deputy Academy during summer vacation to teach young students about the responsibilities of law enforcement and the Sheriff’s Office in our county. Additionally, an Explorers program will offer young adults in Autauga County a deeper understanding of law enforcement careers. These programs will help develop responsible, engaged citizens and cultivate the next generation of deputies who are dedicated to serving their community.
What Are Your Concerns?
As your sheriff, I’m there to support our community. That starts by talking to you. If you have a concern with the community that I haven’t addressed above, please feel free to send me an email at nick@cognasi4sheriff.com.