Meet the Candidate: James Robertson

KNOX COUNTY, Ill. (KWQC) – Current Williamsfield Police Chief James Robertson is running for Knox County Sheriff.

“You want your department to reflect your community and diversity. The transparency aspect is something you want from your law enforcement agency. That’s your tax dollars at work. You want to know that they’re doing what they’re supposed to do and they’re doing it the right way,” Robertson said.

Robertson has more than 20 years of law enforcement experience. Its platform focuses on transparency, accountability, community engagement and diversity of work.

“We want to communicate that to the public and know that we are doing our job,” said Robertson. “This is what happened, this is how it works, that’s why we did what we did.”

Robertson is hopeful that his message will reach many voters.

“First of all, you have to get rid of your party affiliation. At this level of politics, at the level of local government, especially a sheriff’s office or law enforcement, we have to be impartial when we’re enforcing statutes and rules and regulations,” Robertson said. “That’s how [Knox County residents] they can have access and build trust.”

Robertson added that his experience in the Knox County community makes him a suitable candidate.

“You want your sheriff to have experience, you want to have knowledge. You want to know every facet of the department, from the patrol division to the jail,” Robertson said. “In law enforcement, a well-trained officer is an effective officer. I think that’s what we focus on.”

TV 6 also reached out to Knox County sheriff candidate Jack Harlan for an interview, but did not hear back.

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