Greenville Police Chief Lonzo Ingram announced today that he has filed with Probate Judge Mac Russell as a candidate for Sheriff of Butler County.

&uot;As Greenville’s Chief of Police, I have worked hard for 16 years to keep our homes, schools, businesses and streets safe. I insist that our officers treat everyone fairly and with respect, but I also insist that they enforce the law. I want to expand this work to include all of Butler County,&uot; Ingram said.

Chief Ingram is a graduate of Dale County High School, Midland City. He attended Enterprise State Junior College and Troy State University at Ft. Rucker.

A 30-year veteran in law enforcement, he first worked for the Ozark Police Department where he advanced through the ranks to become captain and commander of the patrol division.

From 1982 through 1985, he was public safety director of Daleville where he managed a department that provided police, fire and rescue services to the community.

As chief of police of Greenville, he administers and manages a budget of more than $1 million annually and directs and supervises 33 sworn police officers and six civilian personnel.

Chief Ingram’s training includes successful completion of the FBI National Academy, the Southeastern Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar, the Southeast Alabama Police Academy and the United States Air Force Law Enforcement Specialist Course.

Upon appointment as Greenville’s Police Chief in 1985, he re-established the department’s criminal investigation bureau, compiled and placed into effect a Policy and Procedures Manual for the department.

He reorganized the administrative section to ensure proper case management and the storage, retrieval and dissemination of police records, and initiated department computerization.

Chief Ingram’s work to fight drugs and provide safe schools is well known. He implemented the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program in the Butler County School System and secured funding for it.

He also got funding for the School Resource Team, providing security at Greenville High School and Greenville Middle School. He expanded the program to include a truancy officer who works county-wide.

Chief Ingram was the first project director for the Second Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force. He co-wrote a grant application that funds drug enforcement in Butler, Crenshaw and Lowndes counties.

Chief Ingram also implemented a Neighborhood Watch Program. He helped obtain a HUD grant for drug enforcement in public housing and adjacent areas, and developed an in-service training program for police officers.

He developed a community service plan for youthful, first-time offenders so young drivers could work off their first ticket through community service.

&uot;Our programs have been successful because of the interest and involvement of elected officials and of citizens from all walks of life. I want that kind of citizen involvement in my cam paign,&uot; said Ingram.

&uot;To be successful in fighting crime today, you must have widespread citizen participation and cooperation. I believe I am the person who is best qualified and best suited to do the job as sheriff of Butler County,&uot; he said.

Chief Ingrams professional affiliations include the Alabama Peace Officers Association (past president); Internation Association of Chiefs of Police; Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police; FBI National Academy Associate; and Fraternal Order of Police. He is the father of two sons, Alan, 25, and Daniel, 22.