Published: January 07, 2009 12:00 pm      

There's a new sheriff in town

New sheriff, undersheriff sworn in

By Randy Mitchell

Staff Writer



ADA — John Christian was sworn in as the new Pontotoc County sheriff during a special ceremony at the courthouse Friday.

Christian was elected sheriff in July 2008 with 53.47 percent of the votes, defeating incumbent Pete Peterson who served as sheriff since January 2005.

Lieutenant Deputy Arnold Scott was promoted to undersheriff after former undersheriff Joe Glover left to take a job with a state law enforcement agency. Scott was sworn in along with Christian. Glover will stay on as a reserve deputy.

Christian said his first day was spent getting acclimated to the sheriff’s office which had changed since he was undersheriff under the late Jeff Glase.

“It’s been pretty busy and a little bit chaotic ...” Christian said. “trying to get everything organized and get in a routine, get started.”

Christian said his main goal is s to have a proactive department and work on the county’s drug problems.

“Being seen and talking to people, finding out what problems there are in their area and trying to help some of those problems are my main goal,” Christian said.

Christian said he would like to see deputies patrolling the county more and Ada a little less.

“That’s one of my main objectives,” Christian said. “The Ada Police Department ... I’ve looked forward to working with them and helping them whenever it’s needed, but they have an excellent police force to work with-in the city limits as far as the crime problem in the city limits.

“I think my main priority is going to be getting out to help the smaller towns and also the county area,” Christian continued. “Just make sure we’re covering the entire county and everybody has equal protection.”

Christian is looking forward to moving to the new sheriff’s office which will be located in the old OG & E building across from the courthouse and is especially looking forward to the completion of the new jail.

“That can’t be completed soon enough as far as I’m concerned,” Christian said. “I’m very anxious to get into it and get it up and operational.”

Christian said they are already in the process of hiring people to run the new jail.

“We have to have those employees in place before we can even open it,” Christian said. “We’re in the process of reviewing applicants and trying to get a staff (together). It’s going to take quite a few more staff personnel to run the new jail than it did the old.”

Christian said he is looking forward to working with Scott.

“I think he’s going to be an asset to the department,” Christian said. “I think Pontotoc County will find that he is an excellent choice to be my undersheriff and I think he’ll do us a great job.”