April 14, 2016 2016 APR 114 PH 3: 19

c:NA CO & PROBATE CLERK BENTON COUNTY. AR

Ms. Tena O'Brien Benton County Clerk 102 NE A Street Bentonville, AR 72712

RE: Application for the unfinished elected term vacated by the former Sheriff year 2016

Dear Ms. O'Brien,

As a life-long resident of Benton County I have been very fortunate to have served the people of Benton County for 42 years. First, as an Arkansas State Trooper for 32 years, then, after retiring as State Trooper, I ran for Sheriff of Benton County and was elected in 2002 and took office in 2003. I was elected five times undefeated and retired December 31, 2012.

When I retired from the Benton County Sheriff's Office, I was very proud of the accomplishments we had made over the past 10 years and also of the employees who worked toward the goals that were achieved.

If I were to be the appointed Sheriff of Benton County for the remaining 2016 term, my first goal would be for the employees, and to promote honesty, integrity, professionalism, work ethic and dedication.

Enclosed herewith is a list of some of my accomplishments and programs I initiated as Sheriff of Benton County.

Respectfully submitted,

Keith Ferguson Ferguson Phone 479-866-4688

Enclosure

F L SOME OF THE NUMEROUS PROGRAMS INITIATED

UNDER SHERIFF FERGUSON'S WATCH: 2016 APR 1k pm 3: 19

Ititil

PROJECT WE CARE — Elderly home welfare checks. CO & PROBATE CLERK BEN ON COUNTY, AR

P.A.L. - Police Athletic League, a mentoring program designed for area youth.

radKIDS PROGRAM - Teaches children self-esteem and personal safety skills.

SEX OFFENDER MAPPING - Internet program showing where the registered levels 3 & 4 sex offenders live in Benton County.

G.R.E.A.T. PROGRAM - Provides our youth with Gang Resistance Education and Training.

PROJECT LIVESAVER - A program in place to locate lost citizens such as children or Alzheimer patients.

GANG IDENTIFICATION - Identifies gang members and records identifying tattoos and markings that associate them to particular gangs.

VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY - Patrol cars equipped with wireless digital video recorders and laptop computers running real time software applications providing up-to-date information on warrants, calls, status and locations of other patrol cars, a direct link to the Arkansas Criminal Information Center in Little Rock, computer communication between patrol cars and Integrated GPS.

SUBSTATIONS - Opened three substations located in Avoca, Siloam Springs, and Gravette.

CHILD SAFETY SEAT PROGRAM - Provides safety seats to families who cannot afford them and trains the public on proper installation of child safety seats. Over 2,000 safety seats have been provided to the public.

ON-GOING TRAINING provided to Deputies.

A.L.P.R.S. - Automatic License Plate Recognition System that can scan thousands of license plates an hour enabling patrolling deputies to identify stolen vehicles or drivers who are wanted by law enforcement.

BUDGET - This Administration has always worked within its budget and even returned money back to the County.