SHERIFF HANAK RELEASES STATEMENT ON HIS RE-ELECTION

  

Washington County Sheriff Otto Hanak has released a statement about being elected Sheriff for another term:

“It has been almost 4 years since taking office as your 27th Washington County Sheriff and it has been a first term full of hard work, ups and downs, numerous positives and successes, and many changes. The successes we have enjoyed have come from the dedication of our wonderful and professional staff and from the strong and unmatched support that our community has given us over the past few years.  Much of the time of this first term has been spent creating new policies, training, implementing updates, undertaking repairs, preventative measures, and laying down roots. “

“As I ran unopposed in this latest election, I am thankful and blessed to again to be your Sheriff for another term of four years to begin January 1st of 2017.  Upon my reflection of the term that is ending and the new one to begin, it should be noted that there is still much more work to be done to continue what we started in 2013.  As we proudly build upon the foundation of the last four years, it is also time to begin building upon the skills and talents we have in the Sheriff’s office.  Training and staff development has started taking an even higher priority level with the addition of the new TCOLE (Texas Commission on Law Enforcement) training certification that our office has recently secured.  We will be even more focused on leadership, training, and growth within our current personnel structure that we hope will continue to provide professional and credible law enforcement and corrections service to our taxpayers.”

“As we launch this new phase in the 2017-20 term, our roots will continue to deepen and grow.  I am hopeful to be your Sheriff for years to come and I will give all I have to make you all proud of your Sheriff’s office.  I have been truly blessed and honored to not only to have worn the badges of a Texas State Trooper and Texas Ranger but to wear that of your Sheriff.  I hope that the staff at the Washington County Sheriff's Office has lived up to or surpassed your expectations and that we all continue to grow together as we move forward.”

Hanak was sworn in as Washington County's Sheriff on January 1, 2013. His law enforcement career has covered more than 35 years with his last two duties being a Texas Ranger assigned to Washington County and as the District Attorney's Investigator, assigned to the 21st Judicial District of Texas. At the national level, Sheriff Hanak served on the Executive Security-Protective Detail for the George W. Bush Presidential Campaign.  He also provided executive security for in-state and out-of-state dignitaries for more than 15 years. Sheriff Hanak's formal education was at Sam Houston State University, majoring in Criminal Justice.  His professional education includes more than 4,300 training hours in various law enforcement training programs.