El Paso County Sheriff candidate: Robert 'Bobby' Flores

El Paso County Sheriff candidate

Robert "Bobby" Flores - D

Age:53

Please describe your personal and professional background.

I retired from the El Paso Co. Sheriff's Office as the Assistant Chief of the Jail Annex in 2023.  I served for over 33 1/2 years, starting as a Detention Officer and promoting to every rank in the agency, with the exception of Detective.  My assignments included:  Patrol Deputy, Full Time Academy Instructor, Patrol Sergeant, Criminal Investigations Sergeant (Property Crimes/Public Integrity Crimes), Patrol Lieutenant, Academy Training Director, High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area ( HIDTA) Lieutenant on detached duty to the Drug Enforcement Administration.  I also served on the Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team for 17 years, and served as the Tactical Commander before leaving the team.  I promoted to Commander of the Jail Annex, Commander of Accreditation and Planning/Research, Commander of Criminal Investigations and finally, Assistant Chief of the Jail Annex.

I currently serve as the Course Coordinator/Instructor at the El Paso Community College (EPCC) Law Enforcement Academy and have been there for over 20 years.

How do you earn a living? Do you plan to continue if elected?

I retired from the Sheriff’s Office and receive my pension from the County of El Paso.

I work part time at the EPCC Law Enforcement Academy.  I will remain involved with the EPCC Law Enforcement Academy, if elected.

Please describe your education. Where did you get your high school diploma? What higher education degrees and certificates have you earned from where?

I graduated from Eastwood High and attended the University of Texas at El Paso.  While employed with the Sheriff’s Office, I completed my Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration Degree from Park University.

I graduated from the FBI National Academy, session 257.

I hold the following Proficiency Certifications: Advanced Jailer Proficiency, Advanced Peace Officer, Basic Instructor Proficiency, Basic Jailer, Basic Peace Officer, Firearms Instructor Proficiency, Intermediate Jailer Proficiency, Intermediate Peace Officer, Master Jailer Proficiency, Master Peace Officer, Mental Health Officer

I have 2 licenses through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement: Peace Officer, Jailer

What experiences in leadership do you have that qualify you for this position?

Of my 33-year career, 26 years were served in the following Supervisory, Management, and Leadership Roles: Patrol Sergeant, Criminal Investigations Sergeant, Patrol Lieutenant, Academy Training Director, High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Unit Lieutenant, assigned to DEA;         Jail Annex Commander, Accreditation/Research and Planning Commander, Criminal Investigations Commander, Jail Annex Assistant Chief, EPCC Law Enforcement Academy Course Coordinator,          Texas Tactical Police Officers Association Board Member/Past President, El Paso County Sheriff’s Officers Association Vice President

Have you ever been arrested or charged with a crime? Have you ever had a civil judgment against you? Have you ever been in arrears on local, state or federal taxes? If so, please provide an explanation. 

NO

If elected, would you have any potential conflicts of interest that you are aware of that would impair your ability to serve? Please explain what they are and how you would avoid the conflict. 

NO

What does transparent government mean to you? Will you be personally accessible to answer questions while in office?

As a governmental agency, it is important that we provide the community any answers to questions that they are seeking.  It is equally important to be forthcoming and provide the community information that may negatively affect the organization.  It’s easy to tout the organization’s successes, however shortcomings should also be disclosed, especially if they affect the community.  Accountability begins with the Sheriff and I will ensure that I am accessible to answer any community or media inquiries. 

Issue related questions

What motivated you to run for sheriff of El Paso County?

I have dedicated my entire adult life to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.  I have progressed through the organizational ranks and developed my leadership and skillset to provide the community with an experienced, qualified Sheriff.  I did not retire last year to stop serving my community, I retired for an opportunity to continue serving our citizens in a higher capacity.

Why should voters choose you over your opponents in the race for sheriff?

I am the only candidate who has dedicated over 33 years of vast and extensive experience in Law Enforcement to the El Paso Community.  My background in Patrol, Investigations, Special Operations, Training, and Jail Management, make me the most qualified candidate.  I care about the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office and the quality of Public Safety that it provides to our citizens.  I am the only candidate who has Executive Work Experience in Jail Operations and Management.  I will provide strong leadership to the Sheriff’s Office and I am beholden to nobody other than the citizens of this community.   I’m not seeking this office to fulfill another politician’s legacy or agenda.

What do you feel are the largest challenges facing the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office? As sheriff, what would you do to address those challenges?

The Sheriff’s Office has not grown with the areas of the County that have experienced significant population growth.  The far east side of El Paso County lacks sufficient patrols and investigative follow up for citizens reporting crimes.  I will restructure our existing Patrol and Investigative Personnel and evaluate the staffing needs to assure quality public safety in those growing areas.

The Jail System has a significant challenge in dealing with inmates who suffer from mental health conditions.  I want to work with the local mental health community to provide treatment options to incarceration for low level, nonviolent crimes, while they await trial. 

What do you see as the most pressing crime concern in El Paso County? How would you handle it as sheriff?

Addressing the growing gun violence in our community is a major challenge.  I will collaborate with police agencies and the courts to remove weapons from those who are convicted of felonies.  As convicted felons, they are prohibited by law from possessing firearms.  Removing these firearms, upon conviction will prevent guns from potentially falling into the hands of kids and criminals.

Should the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office be involved in the enforcement of immigration law? Why or why not?

I don’t support the El Paso Co. Sheriff’s Office being involved in immigration enforcement action.  Our local resources should be prioritized towards keeping our community safe.  I don’t want to utilize Patrol Personnel exclusively to make immigration arrests nor do I want our jail space used for holding undocumented individuals not charged with any other crimes.  These actions will drain our resources and impact the safety of our community.  Immigration on its own, is a Federal Issue that needs to be resolved by the Federal Government.

The candidates' responses are being published largely as they were submitted.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso County Sheriff candidate: Robert 'Bobby' Flores