Saguache County Sheriff Mike Norris announced Monday that he will seek re-election for a third term.

SAGUACHE — According to a recent press release, Sheriff Mike Norris will run on the Democrat ticket this year in his third bid for election.

Norris started his law enforcement career with Saguache County as a reserve deputy and search and rescue coordinator in 1988. He served eight years as the Saguache County undersheriff and is in his eighth year of service as sheriff.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your sheriff for the past seven years,” Norris told county residents in announcing he will run for re-election.

In listing his accomplishments while in office, Norris points to numerous changes in sheriff’s office operations. Policies and procedures now in place help employees better appreciate and understand the mission, goals and responsibilities of the sheriff’s office and provide a road map for achieving those goals, Norris said.

Acquisitions such as a state-of-the-art computerized communications system has greatly enhanced the office’s ability to effectively communicate with federal, state and local agencies as well as the 800 digital trunk network.

Security cameras monitored by the sheriff’s office also have been placed throughout the courthouse to provide a safe environment for judges, attorneys and courthouse staff, as well as the general public conducting business at the courthouse.

A county sales tax grant paid for a computerized camera system to monitor and record prisoner activities within the detention center. Also in place at the sheriff’s office is a computer software records and jail management system.

Norris says the system “has greatly improved our management of incident reports and prisoner records. This system also links Saguache County with the Rio Grande Sheriff’s Office and Del Norte Police Department, in order to share information and cheapen the cost of operation.” Funds for the records system also came from a sales tax grant.

In the past four years, Norris pointed out, the Saguache Sheriff’s Office has made some significant drug arrests, thanks to the hard work of their investigation divisions and deputies. “This in no way has solved the problem of distribution of illegal drugs,” Norris explained, “but I believe we have sent a message that if you are going to participate in the illegal drug trade in Saguache County, you should be looking over your shoulder. Our efforts will continue in this venue.”

Norris said he believes that he has made a positive impact on sheriff’s office operations during his past two terms as sheriff but notes that the job is not finished. “I want to continue to improve the overall efficiency of this office by updating the policies and procedures to stay in tune with the ever changing laws and liabilities that we face daily,” he said. “I will utilize my staff in the area each excels in order to form the most cohesive team possible.”

Norris says that his duties have changed over the years, and he now is required to devote more and more time to tracking budgets and grants, changing law enforcement strategies to accommodate changing laws and managing the overall operation of the agency.

“I am a progressive sheriff,” Norris concluded. “And I hope to continue serving you for a third term.”