Officer Jay Pitts declares candidacy for Lancaster County Sheriff

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Jay Pitts, an airport police officer, on Monday announced his campaign for Lancaster County sheriff.

“As a 25-year law enforcement veteran who has worked in many roles and agencies throughout Lancaster County, I will bring fresh ideas that reinvigorate the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office,” Pitts said in a press release. “As a lifelong resident of Lancaster County, I will serve as your Sheriff with honesty and integrity.”

Pitts also said he would “modernize training while increasing community involvement and transparency.”

His platform for county sheriff includes fairly enforcing current laws and providing deputies the tools and culture to do their jobs.

“As sheriff, I will treat everyone fairly based on merit so that our office can best serve the residents of Lancaster County,” Pitts said. “Our deputies and citizens alike need and deserve a sheriff who has the integrity to carry out the job.”

Pitts plans to meet with local community leaders throughout his campaign to hear their concerns and ideas.

“Getting out and listening to residents is the first step in building that relationship, and that is what I will do,” he said.

Pitts said his motivation to run for county sheriff comes from his father, John Pitts Sr., who joined the Lincoln Police Department in 1973.

In addition to his work in law enforcement, Pitts is a 10-year board member of Lighthouse, an organization that offers after-school programs for kids in Lincoln.

He is also in his third year on the board of CenterPointe, a nonprofit that has over 40 programs for mental health and substance abuse treatment.