Candidates for Cameron County Sheriff talk about runoff election

CAMERON COUNTY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The race for Cameron County Sheriff is just one of a handful of local races heading to a runoff in May.

Incumbent Sheriff Eric Garza is looking to retain his position against Primera Police Chief Manuel Trevino.

In his bid for reelection, Sheriff Eric Garza said he's been successful in getting new equipment and training for Deputies and jailers.

Garza said he's been able to acquire, "Body cams, dash cams. Every officer has a laptop, we have new shields for every deputy, and we have new ballistic vests for everybody so we’ve accomplished a lot in three years.”

Garza said he was recently able to secure a raise for department workers. He said it's not as much as he would have liked, but the pay increase helps with employee retention.

Pay rates are set by the County Commissioners Court and the County Judge.

“Deputies went from 37 to almost 41, and detention officers went from 31 to 34 and they have made comments that they will continue to increase salaries for the next two or three years to ensure we bring them up to what other agencies are offering,” Garza said.

Trevino said a pay increase is important, but additionally, creating a positive work environment is a top priority for him.

He said, “We need to take care of our employees, you know, especially the people that are at the very bottom. The people at the very bottom of your department, I’m referring to your dispatchers, your jailers, your patrolmen. They’re the ones that make your department function. They’re the ones that make it work.”

Both candidates said they'll be able to work with the Commissioners Court to help deliver for their employees.

Trevino said twelve years as Chief, running his department's budget, will be an asset in dealing with county officials. “I’ll be able to use that experience to go and take it out there and work with the commissioners and the county judge so we can meet halfway and be able to bring more resources to the sheriff’s office," he added.

Trevino said his long history in law enforcement makes him the better candidate for Sheriff. He said he's worked as a patrolman, in the narcotics division as well as the Criminal Investigations Unit.

“You got to have experience," Trevino said. "Experience creates a good leader and I have 31 years of experience.”

Garza said he's trying to share his vision of the Sheriff's Office with the community. He said he's making upgrades to the department, and doing it in a financially responsible way.

Speaking of the response from the community, Garza said, “They’re very happy that we’re bringing in new tech, that we’re bringing in new equipment, that we’re bringing in new training. And that we’re doing it with grants and not necessarily costing the county any specific money.”

The runoff election for Sheriff, and all other runoff elections, are scheduled to take place May 28.