SHERIFF OTTO HANAK ANNOUNCES RE-ELECTION BID TO SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Washington County Sheriff Otto Hanak announced today (Friday) that he is seeking re-election to the office of Sheriff.
Hanak was sworn in as sheriff on January 1st of 2013, and his current term will expire on December 31st of 2016.
Sheriff Hanak’s law enforcement experiences consist of being a Texas Corrections officer for over 3 years, a Texas State Trooper for 13 years, a Texas Ranger for 15 years with the last 13 years assigned to Washington County, an Investigator with the Washington County District Attorney’s Office for 3 years, and the Sheriff of Washington County for just under three years. He has accumulated over 4500 hours of training in law enforcement, corrections and jail management, criminal investigation.
According to the Friday press release, Hanak announces his accomplishments since taking office:
…he and his staff of 60 focused on accomplishing that plan, as well as others, and have fulfilled a majority of the intended first term goals. During his first term, Sheriff Hanak instituted policies that allow for high visibility of his deputies in our neighborhoods, secondary roadways, in and around our schools, and at our rural businesses. Visibility, according to Sheriff Hanak is a key component to the reduction of criminal activity as well as providing comfort for our citizens. His deputies spend countless hours patrolling our 600 square mile county while always being vigilant for criminal behavior. His Criminal Investigation Division staff has surpassed all odds and expectations in solving crimes by working hard, being knowledgeable, tenacious, and inquisitive, all while remembering our crime victims.
During his first term, which has consisted of less than three years, Sheriff Hanak believes he has performed his duties at the Sheriff’s office and jail with fiscal and focused responsibility. His inmate work crews have saved taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars including the latest savings of over $250,000.00 by having inmate labor re-paint the over 20 year old jail facility. In addition, other major repairs and updates, as well as everyday maintenance has been performed at the facility by inmate work crews and staff members to insure the entire facility will last another 20 plus years. Sheriff Hanak is also responsible for providing inmate work crews for numerous non-profit organizations of Washington County as well as on county roads and other county owned properties. In just 2014, an inmate work crew, assigned daily to our Road and Bridge Department, the Washington County Fairgrounds, and the Sheriff’s office saved our county almost $70,000.00 in labor costs as well as removing over 700,000 pounds of debris from our rural roadways. However, Sheriff Hanak believes the work has just begun and is eager to continue to provide professional services to the citizens of Washington County for another term. Sheriff Hanak believes the Washington County Sheriff's Office has earned the faith and trust of our citizens due to the hard work performed by staff members and feels the office has made great strides in fighting crime in Washington County. In addition, we strive daily to improve all of the services provided by the Washington County Sheriff's Office and work hard to foster positive relationships with all of our Washington County citizens and public safety partners. I look forward to our continued dedication in providing the best ethical and professional law enforcement and corrections services available well into the future.
Sheriff Hanak’s law enforcement experiences consist of being a Texas Corrections officer for over 3 years, a Texas State Trooper for 13 years, a Texas Ranger for 15 years with the last 13 years assigned to Washington County, an Investigator with the Washington County District Attorney’s Office for 3 years, and lastly the Sheriff of Washington County for just under three years. He has accumulated over 4500 hours of training in law enforcement, corrections and jail management, criminal investigation.