Priorities

Check out this podcast interview I did with Politicit where I talk about how I got into public safety, my priorities for the Sheriff’s office, and how I plan to protect our communities.

  • Aaron is committed to ensuring the Sheriff’s Office operates efficiently, even when

    disagreements arise. Drawing on experience leading culture change, Aaron has

    improved morale, reduced silos, and decreased use of force and complaints. Aaron’s

    core principle is protecting constitutional rights in every decision, backed by extensive

    policy and ordinance work.

  • Recruiting and retaining top talent starts with strong leadership. Aaron values the sacrifices of deputies and their families, advocating for robust training, resources, and a supportive culture.

    With experience supervising teams up to 250 people across various divisions, Aaron’s approach is guided by the belief that people work hardest for a cause they believe in.

    He has implemented competitive pay strategies, including creative solutions like freezing vacant positions to fund raises without increasing taxes.

    Aaron’s leadership style is hands-on, as shown when he continued working through a painful injury to meet deadlines, earning respect from his team.

    He also invests in leadership training to build trust and respect within teams. Goals are set collaboratively, progress is tracked, and both employee and citizen contributions are recognized.

  • Aaron balances public safety with respect for taxpayers, drawing from personal experience living paycheck to paycheck.

    When managing budgets exceeding $50 million, he demonstrated fiscal responsibility by prioritizing cost savings, conducting detailed contract reviews, pursuing grant funding, and delivering up to $1 million in new annual revenue.

    Aaron applies LEAN principles for efficiency and has restructured positions to maximize value, such as converting roles to better fit organizational needs without increasing costs.

  • Aaron believes in genuine partnership between law enforcement and the community. He has managed contracted law enforcement services for eight contract cities.

    He has extensive experience conducting town halls and responding to citizen concerns, often on short notice. His background spans all aspects of public safety, including Fire, EMS, and Flight Medicine, and he values strong relationships with city and county leaders. A formative experience on Christmas Eve—when a family thanked him for his service—shaped his view of public safety as a shared community effort.

    Aaron aims to build a culture where employees see themselves as part of the community and are equipped to recognize and value others.

  • Aaron has led responses to major incidents, including protests, riots, SWAT operations, and homicides. He has investigated narcotics and organized crime, understanding the risks when offenders return to the community due to system failures.

    He believes local law enforcement should focus on public safety—targeting serious criminal offenders and cooperating with federal partners on individuals already in custody on separate criminal charges, rather than broad immigration sweeps.

    His unwavering priority is the safety of Davis County.