Waldorf, MD – After a resounding victory at the polls, Charles County Sheriff Troy Berry is ready for the next four years as the jurisdiction’s top cop. On Friday, Nov. 30 a huge crowd of well-wishers—deputies, elected officials, Boy Scouts, citizens and clergy—gathered at Middleton Hall as the Charles County Circuit Court Clerk Sherri Hancock administered the oath of office.
In beginning his second term as sheriff, Berry spoke about the agency’s accomplishments during the prior four years. The list includes establishing a citizens’ police academy, forging a solid relationship with Charles County Public Schools (CCPS), making safety improvements at the county detention center, starting a drone program and the county’s experiencing a significant drop (23 percent) in crime.
After taking the oath of office and signing the mandatory warrants—all as his wife Angela looked on—Berry addressed the audience. Later, he spoke with TheBayNet.com about his office’s interaction with the public school system. “We work very well with the Charles County Public School system and Dr. Hill [CCPS Superintendent Kimberly Hill],” said Berry. “Our officers work very well in the school system. They’ve become a staple with the schools and students. We have had armed officers in all our high and middle schools. We are working through the budgetary process, with the county commissioners, to enhance our school resource officer program in our elementary schools also.”
Sheriff’s officials also noted that each year, Berry has visited every single public school in Charles County, greeting and speaking with students.
When asked what area of the local law enforcement agency he wanted to place special emphasis to start his second term, Berry told TheBayNet.com that bolstering the ranks of the Patrol Division was a priority. He stated he would seek added funding to place “additional officers on the street to mitigate some of the various issues we have.”
Berry’s law enforcement career has spanned over a quarter century. He started his career with the sheriff’s office as a patrolman and worked his way up to positions as detective in the Criminal Investigations Division, Patrol Division supervisor, commander and investigator with the Internal Affairs, district commander at the Waldorf Station and Patrol Operations commander. He was elected sheriff in 2014, ousting then-incumbent Sheriff Rex Coffey in that year’s Democratic Primary. Berry was the first African-American to ever serve as Charles County sheriff.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
