Ken “Chief” Bailey for Sheriff of
Shelby County, Alabama
Promise 1
As your next sheriff, the safety of our children will be one of my highest priorities. Every parent and grandparent deserves peace of mind knowing their child is protected while they are at school. That is why I am committed to providing a dedicated School Resource Officer in every school across our county. These trained deputies do more than respond to emergencies—they build relationships, deter threats before they happen, and work closely with educators to create a safe, positive learning environment where students can focus on their future, not their fear.
This commitment is personal to me. I am the proud grandfather of eight grandchildren, and like you, I want them to grow up safe, secure, and supported every single day they walk into a classroom. When it comes to protecting our children, there is no higher calling and no room for shortcuts. As your next sheriff, I will put action behind my words and make sure school safety is not just a promise, but a reality for every family in our county.
Promise 2
As your next sheriff, I will aggressively battle drug trafficking and human trafficking throughout our county. With major corridors such as Interstate 65, Highway 280, Highway 459, and Interstate 20 running through our area, criminal organizations often use these routes to move drugs and exploit vulnerable people. I will make it a priority to disrupt these operations by focusing enforcement efforts along these highways and throughout our communities, sending a clear message that our county will not be a safe passage for traffickers.
I will establish a specialized task force that is highly trained to identify the warning signs of both drug and human trafficking, with particular emphasis on recognizing and responding to human trafficking cases. Caring for the victims of these crimes is just as important as enforcement. I will ensure that victims are connected with trusted nonprofit agencies that provide compassion, understanding, and a path toward healing and recovery. As your next sheriff, my commitment is not only to stop criminals, but to protect and restore those who have been harmed.
Promise 3
Helicopters are significantly more expensive than drones because of the complexity and scale of their operation. A law-enforcement helicopter requires a full-time pilot, often a tactical flight officer, specialized training, hangar or secured storage, aviation fuel, insurance, and constant FAA-mandated maintenance. Parts are costly, inspections are frequent, and downtime can be substantial. On average, the operating cost of a law-enforcement helicopter can range from $500 to over $1,500 per flight hour, with annual costs often exceeding $1–2 million when maintenance, personnel, fuel storage, replacement parts, and compliance requirements are included. Drones, by comparison, cost a fraction of that to purchase and operate, require minimal maintenance, no onboard crew, and can be deployed within minutes at virtually no additional cost per mission.
Drones can often be used more efficiently than helicopters for many sheriff’s department missions, including search and rescue, traffic monitoring, suspect tracking, and disaster response. They can fly lower, operate quietly, access tight or dangerous areas, and remain airborne for extended periods at minimal expense. When combined with a K9 program, drones become an even more powerful force multiplier. While drones provide aerial visibility and thermal imaging, K9s bring an extraordinary sense of smell that technology cannot replicate. Together, they are especially effective in search-and-rescue operations, particularly when children or elderly individuals are missing in wooded or rural areas. This coordinated approach improves response times, increases recovery success, and does so in a way that is both fiscally responsible and highly effective for public safety.
