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Tom Falcinelli, a Montgomery County police sergeant, lawyer and director of officiating for the American Indoor Football Association, is willing to trade those jobs to be the county's sheriff.

"It's an organization that needs strong leadership; it's been in limbo for the last 10 years," he said.

In the Democratic primary Sept. 14, Falcinelli faces Chief Deputy Darren Popkin, 30-year veteran Montgomery County Police Officer Norman Brissett and retired Montgomery County Police captain and former county school safety and security director Edward Clarke. No Republican has filed to run to succeed Sheriff Raymond Kight (D). The post's salary, which now is $135,744, is set to increase to $154,000 for the next sheriff.

Falcinelli wants to give first-line supervisors in the sheriff's department more power to make decisions. He frequently serves as the police union appointee on a three-judge panel that decides cases of officers brought to administrative hearing, he said.

As sheriff, he said he would work to increase the number of deputies to relieve police of having to transport and guard inmates who leave the jail for medical reasons when deputies are not available, particularly between midnight and 8 a.m. during the week and between 4 p.m. and 8 a.m. weekends.

"If citizens knew their neighborhoods were being stripped of police officers [for that] they'd be outraged," Falcinelli said. "The Department of Corrections should be involved in transport as they are in many large counties."

And the sheriff's department is "woefully understaffed" and behind in serving orders and other papers, Falcinelli said.

"Someone has to cross the bridge of getting more cooperation" for running the sheriff's office, so that superior service can be provided, Falcinelli said.

If elected, Falcinelli said he will offer the leadership and also be in the forefront of fiscal accountability by refusing an expected pay raise for the position.

mhyslop@gazette.net

-Residence: Silver Spring

-Party: Democrat

-Education: Our Lady of God Counsel High School, Wheaton (now Olney, Md.); University of Maryland College Park, B.S; Howard University School of Law, J.D.

-Work experience: 1985-present, Montgomery County Police Dept., sergeant; 1987-present, attorney, Bay & Falcinelli, Rockville; 2008-present, national director of officiating, American Indoor Football Association (arena football)

-Family: Wife, Kathy, an attorney; daughters, Kristen and Jessica

-Campaign funds: $5,670

-Top three issues: Instill accountability within department; eliminate overlap with police; lead by utilizing private sector business practices

-Previous political experience: None

-Other affiliations: Member, federal and Maryland bars; member, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 35

-Website: www.falcinelli4sheriff.com