PBA Endorsed Candidate to Become Next Sheriff of Pitt County
Neil Elks Beats Entrenched Incumbent in Primary to Sweep into Office
By Randy Byrd

The North Carolina Police Benevolent Association (PBA) candidate interview and endorsement process continues to set the standard for affecting positive change for PBA members and the law enforcement profession. Nowhere is this process more critical than at the local level, where elected officials can become entrenched and insulated from the citizens they serve as they continue in office. This insulation can also create a sense of entitlement that can prove detrimental to the public good. The combination of an experienced candidate with a vision for the future and an endorsement by the PBA can change this dynamic and create a winning combination. Such is the case with Neil Elks (Sheriff Elect-Pitt County) and the Eastern Coastal Chapter of the NCPBA. On April 3, 2010, Pitt County Sheriff’s candidate Neil Elks and incumbent Pitt County Sheriff Mac Manning met with members of the Eastern Coastal Chapter to answer questions and discuss issues of importance to PBA members and deputies employed with the Pitt County Sheriff’s department.

Neil Elks addresses PBA members during candidate interview

Vehicle rotation and fleet management are critical officer safety issues. According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund research bulletin, officer deaths by vehicle accidents have been the leading cause of death for officers during the past 12 years . In 2009 alone, three officers in North Carolina were killed in the line of duty because of traffic accidents. Curtis Exley addressed the issue of proper fleet management and rotation of police vehicles in an article he wrote for the FBI Bulletin. According to an article entitled Fleet Management Vehicle Rotation Criteria printed in the FBI Bulletin, the optimum mileage for rotation stands anywhere between 50,000 and 70,000 miles and mechanical repairs go up quite substantially after a vehicle reaches an average of 70,000 to 75,000 miles. The article recommends that law enforcement agencies should give specific consideration to not exceeding 70,000 to 75,000-miles with any vehicle rotation policy. Agencies should also place the safety of the men and women operating the vehicles above any other considerations. The Pitt County Sheriff’s department currently has vehicles in service that have well over 100,000 miles on them. The candidates were asked if they would support a vehicle rotation policy of 75,000 miles or less for law enforcement vehicles belonging to the Pitt County Sheriff’s department.

Eastern Coastal Chapter President Justin Guthrie with Neil Elks

There was also discussion about the NC Sheriff’s Association and their opposition to PBA sponsored legislation. Most municipal officers in North Carolina are not afforded any type of independent hearing or review process to contest false allegations or adverse employment action. However, state officers in North Carolina enjoy a basic minimal right to due process to be able to contest false allegations and adverse employment action through the Office of Administrative Hearings and the State Personnel Commission. In the 2007/2008 legislative session, the PBA worked with legislators to create a due process bill for municipal police officers. The bill originally had two primary sponsors and fifteen co-sponsors and enjoyed bi-partisan support. In opposing HB 980, the North Carolina Sheriff’s Association chose to create one of the most disturbing situations in North Carolina legislative history. At the direction of their Executive Director Eddie Caldwell, Sheriff’s from across the state took part in a campaign to pressure legislators to remove themselves as sponsors of the bill. They also pressured legislators to not support the bill in committee or on the floor if it came for a vote. Seven legislators chose to get off the bill as co-sponsors and several others voted against the bill in a judiciary committee because of these pressure tactics. HB 980 still passed out of the committee by a 7-6 vote. The bill was calendared several times, but was pulled from a final floor vote and missed the crossover deadline. Ironically, HB 980 didn’t have any provisions that applied to deputy sheriffs. Elks and Manning were asked if they agreed or disagreed with the NC Sheriff’s Association stance on due process for municipal officers and to explain their answer.

Neil Elks with PBA members at the conclusion of his interview.

Based on the candidates’ responses to these and other issues in a graded format, the screening committee recommended Neil Elks for Sheriff in the May 4th democratic primary. The Eastern Coastal chapter board voted to accept the recommendation and make the official endorsement. On April 13, 2010, the PBA formally announced the endorsement of Elks through a joint press release issue by his campaign. In the statement, Justin Guthrie (Eastern Coastal Chapter President) offered these comments. “Neil Elks has a strong commitment to provide the best working conditions for his deputies and will strive to make improvements where he can. He holds the same values and beliefs that the NCPBA looks for in a candidate and we look forward to working with him in the future.” In his response to the endorsement Neil Elks stated, “I am honored to receive this endorsement from an organization so widely known and respected for the great work they do in law enforcement.” A press conference held by the PBA and attended by Elks further solidified the endorsement. During the next several weeks, the PBA continued with their support of Elks through postcard mailings to members and a PAC contribution to the Elks campaign. Elks also proudly displayed the endorsement on his web site and through a direct mail advertising campaign.

Neil Elks and PBA members at press conference announcing the PBA endorsement

On May 4, 2010, Neil Elks won the democratic primary for Pitt County Sheriff with 54% of the vote. He will take office in December. The PBA is looking forward to working with Elks in the future and building on the solid relationship that has been developed. Elks offered these comments about his involvement with the PBA in the future: “As the newly elected Sheriff of Pitt County I look forward to working with PBA and hope that deputies who are not members will take a serious look at joining this organization. I believe we can all agree on the importance of wearing a bullet proof vest for your protection. In my opinion, it is just as vital to have an Association such as the PBA to watch your back.”

Neil Elks with Eastern Coastal Chapter President Justin Guthrie and Immediate Past President Scott Stanton on election night

Neil Elks is a twenty nine year veteran of law enforcement and served in three administrations with the Pitt County Sheriff’s Department prior to his retirement as a Captain in 2008. He has over 1500 hours of law enforcement training and holds an advanced law enforcement certificate along with numerous certifications. In 1991 and 2001, Elks was named as the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year by the Optimist Club of Greenville. He currently serves as the President of the Pitt County Law Enforcement Officers Association. Elks is a member of St. Paul Pentecostal Holiness Church where he also serves as their financial deacon. He has been married to his wife Connie for twenty four years and they have four children. Connie Elks is a detective with the Greenville Police Department.

Neil Elks speaking with and WITN-TV reporter on election night

Neil Elks addresses his supporters on election night

1 National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund Research Bulletin, April 2010, 1-4
2 Curtis W. Exley, “Fleet Management Vehicle Rotation Criteria, August 2002, 1-10