TIM GOBBLE
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to be sheriff and partner with the community,” said Gobble during an exclusive interview.
“I have enjoyed serving Bradley County as the sheriff for the past four years.”
Gobble credits a good management team, the deputies who worked with him and involvement from Bradley County residents.
“We had a great team of managers in place and deputies who worked hard. Bradley County residents also got involved to help fight crime and that’s what made an effective sheriff’s office,” said Gobble.
Gobble added the results were documented and “that speaks for itself.”
Gobble took the opportunity to go over some of the accomplishments during his single-term in office.
During the term, Gobble said the office documented a 16 percent drop in offenses and a rise in solving crimes.
“We are at 55 percent, that’s 25 percent better than the national average,” explained Gobble.
The outgoing sheriff attributes putting resources in the community and neighborhood watch programs for cutting and solving crimes.
A minimum of nine patrol deputies were required under his administration.
Those nine-plus deputies were responsible for covering more than 333 square-miles.
“Response times were reduced from 11 minutes to seven minutes. Those saved minutes also save lives. Our deputies are first-responders in emergency situations,” said Gobble.
Bradley County Emergency Medical Service Director Danny Lawson told 911 board members recently that he appreciated the fact those deputies were in the field and able to respond to emergency health-related calls.
“We enjoy and appreciate the partnership and help saving lives,” said Lawson.
Lawson said he also looks forward to working with incoming sheriff, Jim Ruth.
Gobble expanded the work program at the jail where inmates help with community cleanup and other projects at county-owned properties.
“The inmates paint, and perform yard, janitorial and other services. This saves the county about $1 million per year by having them to do the work,” Gobble explained.
Gobble also said the jail revenues, including housing federal inmates, returns about $4 million to the county coffers.
Judicial warrants, whether civil or criminal, have also seen reductions, according to Gobble.
“Warrant service is fairly current,” he said.
The outgoing sheriff also said improving deputies’ salaries were among projects accomplished during his term.
Starting pay is up from $23,000 per year to approximately $32,000.
“We did this through managing the budget, in fact, we were able to return $600,000 to the county budget general fund this year,” he added.
Other Sheriff’s Office projects included new equipment such as life-saving bullet-resistant vests, finishing installation of video systems in all patrol vehicles, the acquisition of a S.W.A.T. armored personnel carrier and van, the institution of a team of detectives who work to investigate child-related computer crimes and personally working to make the happenings of the Sheriff’s Office more transparent to the media, processing requests for various media outlets.
As for regrets, Gobble said he wished he could have done more for deputies paywise.
“These dedicated professionals provide a tremendous service for our community. I don’t think it is ever wrong for a person to stand up for his people,” Gobble said reflecting on a lawsuit he brought against Bradley County to make improvements at the Sheriff’s Office.
“There were legitimate needs to be addressed. Even though the judge’s ruling wasn’t favorable, it was acknowledged in the ruling there were legitimate public safety needs and encouraged the commissioners to work to address those needs. Subsequent progress has been made,” explained Gobble.
Even though his term will end in two days, Gobble continues his search for a new job.
“I’m looking forward to using skills attained as a U.S. Secret Service agent, Emergency Management director and time spent as the sheriff of Bradley County in a new job. As I said earlier, it has been an honor to serve and partner with our community,” concluded Gobble.
