Scott County Deputy Clint McPherson has made an early announcement that he plans to seek the office of Sheriff in the 2022 election.
McPherson, 40, and his wife Tracy have two sons, Warren and Caleb. A Texas native, McPherson moved to Arkansas in 2001. The McPhersons settled in Scott County in December of 2015.
“We moved to the area because I used to travel through this region frequently for work and I always wanted to move to this part of the state,” shared McPherson. “I love the outdoors and we were able to buy a piece of property in the Nella/ Blackfork area.”
In January of 2016, McPherson embarked on a new career with the Scott County Sheriff’s Office.
“I had always wanted to be a peace officer. Prior to moving here I had worked for 15 years in the oilfield service industry and traveled the country,” McPherson added. “But once we moved here, I promised my family that we were done moving around and that it was time to put down our roots. I decided to pursue a career in law enforcement. I love this country and this state. I also love history, how and why our country was founded. That is why I applied with the sheriff’s department. Of all the elected positions across this country, the sheriff is the only elected law enforcement official in our system of government. The sheriff works for the people of his or her county and answers to them, and them alone.”
The decision to run for the office he holds in high esteem was not an easy one. “I plan on making my case to the people of Scott County and having the tough discussions about what we can do better and explain where I stand on issues as they relate to the Sheriff’s Department,” McPherson added.
McPherson has worked as a jailer and is a certified law enforcement and narcotics officer. Additionally, he has 15 plus years of business experience and management in the private sector.
“A good leader leads, and leads from the front and by example,” McPherson concluded. “That means making a decision and sticking with it, even if it’s an unpopular one at the time. You must own your mistakes as well as your successes. A good leader will continually improve, learn, and build up a great team. A team that is united in a common goal. As for a Sheriff, he must do all those things and keep his oath. To protect and defend the Constitution and to protect people’s rights from any and all threats, to know that our rights are not temporarily suspendable, and to secure the liberties of the citizens of this county. A sheriff needs to be proactive in the community and engaged with the people.
McPherson stated that his priorities, if elected, would be making himself available to the people, and providing increased training for the deputies and jailers. “It is currently lacking. Training gives them the tools they need to make a significant difference in the drug problem we have here.”
