“My job gives me a sense of hope,” smiles Deputy J. D. Carlton, who works in the Community Relations Section. “Working with kids, I hear stories of hardship and crisis. But even when kids tell me really troubling stories of parents who have left them or family members who have been arrested, these kids instinctively respect law enforcement. They know what is wrong and they want to do what’s right. I want to be an influence that keeps that attitude alive and well.”

Deputy Carlton travels to schools throughout the county presenting safety and awareness programs to students while establishing a bond of trust. Kindergartners learn how to talk to deputies, first graders learn bike safety, and third graders learn about the potential danger of strangers. Other programs presented include drug awareness, firearm safety and the Junior Deputy Program, in which students are taught how to be good citizens.
Deputy Carlton’s concern for young people is reflected on his face as he describes one of his successes on the job. A young girl was being pressured to join a gang, and Deputy Carlton listened as she spoke about her fears and feelings. Deputy Carlton offered her advice that he knew would be hard for her to take, and he left the discussion uncertain that his words had convinced the girl to resist the peer and cultural influences she was facing. Several years later that he found out she had taken the steps he advised and refused to join the gang.

“Be prepared to affect the lives of those you come in contact with,” advises Deputy Carlton. “In this line of work, you experience things that have a huge impact on you, and it changes the way you think and live. No matter how much you think you will put into a law enforcement career, the profession can definitely give you back much more, and in so many unexpected ways. ”