Dickson runs for County Sheriff position emphasizing officer safety

Rhonda Dickson, retired Prince William County Deputy, seeks the position of Prince William County Sheriff. Morale and officer safety are some of her top priorities.

Name: Rhonda Dickson

Party: Independent

Town: Woodbridge

Running for: Prince William County Sheriff

Website: rhondadicksonforsheriff.com, Facebook

Work: Retired Prince William County Deputy
Part time at Mission BBQ as the Community Ambassador

Education: Trinity Temple Academy

Community Involvement: Rhonda Dickson is an active member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Questions and Answers

PL: What are the top three major issues facing the district you wish to represent? 

Dickson: 1. Morale and manning 2. Officer safety 3. Building security

PL: What concrete solutions do you propose to address these issues?

Dickson: 1. Ensure employees have a voice and their concerns are heard and addressed.
2. Equip all cruisers with spotlights for officer safety during night time traffic stops. Future cruisers will also have climate control in the rear of the vehicles for humane transport of inmates and mental health consumers.
3. Create a K-9 unit for drug and explosives detection. Since 1983, there have been no major security upgrades to the Judicial Center. There are items that need to be addressed ASAP, but I will not discuss in the open because it will put the employees and citizens that come and go on a daily basis at risk.

PL: From your perspective, what is the job description of the office you’re seeking?

Dickson: The Sheriff’s Office has three primary functions: Courthouse Security, Transportation and Civil Process. The Sheriff must also uphold the Constitution of Virginia to the utmost of their ability and answer to the citizens of Prince William County and the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park who elected them.

PL: What expertise will you bring to the office?

Dickson: I have 15 and a half years of experience with Prince William County Police Department. There I was a patrol officer, Emergency Vehicle Operations Center instructor and a Motor Officer. I was with the Sheriff’s Office for more than six years assigned to the Mental Health Transportation Unit and Courtroom Security as a Bailiff.

I am retired from the D.C. Air National Guard where I was Aircraft Armament Systems Specialist and earned a Meritorious Service metal. I have a diverse background, which provides me the experience needed to the office.

PL: Do you feel that the average citizen is well-informed and understands the workings of local government?

Dickson: Overall I believe the average citizen understands local government. For those that don’t, I will ensure that I am out and about meeting and greeting as many citizens as I can and involving myself in as many Community events as I possible can.

PL: Have you ever made any mistakes in your public life? How have they affected you?

Dickson: I certainly have. I learn from those mistakes and ensure I don’t make the same ones again. That’s how you grow as a person.

PL: Our readers want leaders in local government. Why should they vote for you?

Boddye: I bring something that has been lacking in that office for too many years — empathy for our employees and the citizens of Prince William County. I will employee a diverse group of people, keeping their needs and the needs of the citizens in mind. I will listen to the concerns of the citizens and address them to the best of my ability.

I have committed my life to public service for more than 42 years combined, and I’m not ready to stop. My heart belongs to my native Prince William County and I am ready to take on the challenges that she has for me.