By Noah Chandler

nchandler@cullmantimes.com

The Cullman County Sheriff’s Office has implemented a new mission statement.

“It is important that the community knows what we stand for. It is also important that the employee’s know what I stand for,” said Sheriff Tyler Roden. “Our mission defines why we come to work to the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office.”

Roden said the new policy is not because of poor employee performance, but rather a way of acknowledging how to run things more efficiently.

“Even though we have had issues with past employee’s that showed poor character, that will not define us,” Roden said. “We addressed those issues and have taken care of them. Our vision, mission and guiding principals will help us strive to become better than we are now. We should strive to be better.”

Among the different areas Roden said he would be watching are training issues, resources, policy and procedures along with goals and objectives. He said if the employees adhere to the new policy, they will become more consistent in their work.

“Our guiding principals provide a framework for employee performance and behavior, how we approach our work, manage the Sheriff’s Office and how we relate to the community,” Roden said. “Our vision is what we want to become and points us in the right direction.”

Roden said the sheriff’s office has had a mission statement for some time, but enough emphasis has not been placed on it.

“We felt it was important to take the next step beyond character training we started a few weeks back,” Roden said. “This is an enhancement in what we have had and we’ll be looking at our mission much more intently than we have in the past.”

Excerpts from the new mission statement include the following:

‰ Vision — It is our vision to be a “Class A” law enforcement agency in the State of Alabama

‰ Mission — It is our mission to unite our agency and the citizens of Cullman County in a cooperative effort to reduce crime, increase feelings of safety among our citizens and enhance the quality of life in our community.

‰ Guiding principals — We are dedicated to doing the right thing, the right way through.

‰ Honor — We conduct ourselves honorably, adhering to law enforcement code, “Code of Ethics”, setting an example of courtesy, professionalism, and respect in all aspects of all our lives.

‰ Duty — We have a strong sense of duty to serve and protect the citizens of Cullman County in a manner that exemplifies honesty and good character.

‰ Commitment — We pledge to perform our duties to the best of our ability by being competent professionals who demonstrate a strong work ethic and high level of performance.