With 25 years in law enforcement, a master's degree in organizational management, and working toward a doctorate in organizational psychology, Storey County Assistant Sheriff Gerald Antinoro said if elected Nov. 2 he is equipped to run the Storey County Sheriff's Department.
For more than two years now, Antinoro, 45, has run the operations of the department, managing its $2.2 million budget and 25 employees.
He sees community outreach programs as a priority.
Antinoro said if elected he will continue with a newly developed Senior Awareness Program, kick off an Explorer Program, reinstate the DARE program in the schools, and strengthen the reserve force so that the sworn officers are patrolling the county.
"These are things that don't tax our budget that are now taking away from enforcement or patrol activities. We're doing a lot more with less now," he said. "Last year we had two reserves, we are up to 14 now."
He said he will also focus on department morale, which he believes comes about through communication.
"We can enhance the flow of information throughout the department. Develop better teamwork. The biggest problem always comes from the flow of information up and down, traditional hierarchy - having a master's a degree in organizational management, I'd like to think we can build a learning organization out of this. One that operates a lot better, a lot smoother with more equality throughout," he said.
Antinoro said a divide between law enforcement and community in Storey County will continue to be addressed.
"Because of the smaller size, there's a disconnect, and I think that these community outreach programs bridge that gap and give more of a day-to-day positive interaction. We should be community policing as a matter of practice, not a specified unit, each and every one of us with every single contact," he said. "It's problem solving. We're part of the community. We're not just here to arrest people. We need to be active and good community members, every day, not just because we're assigned to do a job."
Sheriff Jim Miller, who is retiring at the end of his term, said he has complete confidence in Antinoro who has worked in law enforcement agencies in San Juan County, Utah and Wendover and was chief of enforcement for the Nevada Transportation Authority in Las Vegas before joining the Storey County Sheriff's Office as a patrol deputy in 2006 and working through the ranks. Antinoro has also received the support of former Storey County sheriffs Pat Whitten and Bob DelCarlo.
"I think he'll be an excellent sheriff. He's qualified. He's experienced. He knows how to fit in, he's done that really well here in this community," Miller said. "He's just the right choice."
*edited to correct endorsements