Pull-out:

Name: Scott Nichols Sr.

Address: 777 Mile Hill Road, New Sharon

Age: 51

Occupation: Police chief Carrabassett Valley since 2008. Former Maine State Police trooper, detective and sergeant for 23 years, three years active U.S. Army, three years reserve components.

Education: Graduate of Mt. Blue High School in Farmington graduate, associate’s degree in law enforcement technology from Southern Maine Technical College in South Portland.

Chief deputy choice: Franklin County Sgt. Steven Lowell

Name: Dennis C. Pike

Address: 350 Fairbanks Road, Farmington

Age: 74

Occupation: Sheriff of Franklin County

Education: Attended Farmington State Teachers College.

Chief deputy choice: Franklin County Chief Deputy Raymond Meldrum

FARMINGTON – Sheriff Dennis Pike of Farmington, an independent, is being challenged by Republican Scott Nichols Sr. of New Sharon.

The election will be held Nov. 6 and the four-year term will begin Jan. 1, 2013.

Both are veteran law enforcement officers.

The Sun Journal asked the men the same questions on a variety of issues,  including priorities if elected, management techniques and experience that would make them a good sheriff.

Pike said his priorities include continuing the five-year trend of a high crime clearance rate. He will also continue “call sharing” with Maine State Police that was established in the late 1990s and renewed in January 2001. He plans to continue Operation Stonegarden with the U. S. Border Patrol, an effort to enhance police coverage and visibility in northern Franklin County resulting in nearly a 40 percent reduction in reported crimes, over the past four years, he said.

He would also continue the police officer exchange program with the Quebec Provincial Police in Lac Megantic, Quebec, Canada.

“It offers officers from both agencies, the opportunity to observe and learn the best law enforcement practices, from each side of our mutual border,” Pike said.

Pike said he will also “continue the effort to return the Franklin County Detention Center to a full service jail and retain our Franklin County tax dollars, here in Franklin County,” Pike said. He will also plan to see the construction of the newly authorized Franklin County Communication Dispatch Center completed and operational, he said.

Pike has been sheriff for 12 years.

Nichols said, if he’s elected he would establish his command staff and have deputies spend more time in the rural areas of the county.

“We will strengthen the call sharing agreement with the Maine State Police that will ensure that deputies and troopers work as a team,” Nichols said. “That teamwork will open communication between the agencies and guarantee quicker, more efficient police response when an event occurs. We will then work to re-establish our jail.”

Pike said he will continue oversight of operations and delegate constantly changing duties and training for corrections, dispatch, investigations and patrol, to the most qualified, experienced supervisors, officers, on his staff.

“I am blessed to have many exceptional individuals in the county’s and my employ,” he said.

Nichols said starting day one, time will be spent observing current operations, identifying what works and what does not work.

“My command staff will assist reorganizing, making plans and setting measurable goals, constantly re-evaluating employee performance,” Nichols said. “This executive style of leadership eventually transitions into a democratic style where more employees are involved in the decision-making process.”

His 23 years with the Maine State Police provides experience to oversee the Sheriff Department, jail and dispatch, Nichols said. His other experiences serving in Iraq and as police chief of Carrabassett Valley will also aid him in management. While with the State Police, he supervised the training of new police officers at the academy.

“I spent 15 years as a SWAT team member and 10 years in the Criminal Division,” Nichols said.

After the state police, he served a year in Iraq as an adviser to the Iraqi National Police, helping rebuild their local forces, he said.

“For almost five years, I have been the chief of police in Carrabassett Valley where I gained valuable experience working with local government,” Nichols said. “My previous education, training and experience will help me to be the best possible public servant and next sheriff.”

Pike said his 46 years of hands-on, full-time, law enforcement work is valuable in overseeing the department.

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