[Editor’s note: Clinton County native and C.C.H.S. Graduate Greg Speck was recently sworn in as Pulaski County Sheriff. The following article and photograph appeared recently in the Somerset Commonwealth Journal relaying the new Sheriff’s plans for the office. Speck, who has several relatives still living in Clinton County, is the son of the late Keith and Melba Speck. The article is being reprinted with permission from the Commonwealth Journal.]

By Commonwealth Journal Editor Emeritus, Bill Mardis

One of the most highly trained and experienced law enforcement officers in Kentucky became sheriff of Pulaski County at 12:01 a.m. January 5.

Greg W. Speck, a former Kentucky State Police (KSP) officer, came up through the ranks to serve as commander of Columbia Post 15, one of the largest state police posts in Kentucky. Speck said he came out of retirement and ran for sheriff because “ … I saw Pulaski County going in a direction I felt could be handled better.”

As he assumes responsibilities of leading the sheriff’s department, Speck said he is fully aware of a national mood generating protests against police; threatening violence against law enforcement officers; even the recent assassination of two New York City policemen.

“Officers have to be cognizant of that situation,” said Speck. If possible, he wants two deputies to respond to domestic situations and to altercations where weapons are involved.

Speck noted the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department has equipped all its full-time sworn deputies with body cameras. The Somerset Police Department also utilizes body cameras.

“I did some research … we bought 26 cameras the first of November and sheriff’s deputies started wearing cameras November 14,” said sheriff’s department Lt. Troy McLin. “The cameras are really nice.”

“Body cameras are good for a number of reasons,” said Speck.

“Cameras protect the public … and protect officers from unjustified complaints,” the incoming sheriff pointed out.

Since elected, Speck has done extensive interviews with members of the sheriff’s department. “There have been some retirements, but a vast majority of the current staff will stay. “I’ve learned a lot (during interviews) with them,” he said.

“One of my goals is to increase manpower,” said Speck. “Right now, the sheriff’s department has 18 road deputies. Sam (the late sheriff Sam Catron) had 20 (road deputies). The department has only three detectives … there were six,” said Speck.

As soon as staffing permits, Speck said he wants to deploy a road deputy in east, west, north and south sections of the county “ … to cut down on time it takes to respond to a call.” There would be a “rover” to work countywide, he said.

Speck’s close friend and Pulaski County native Captain Todd Dalton has recently been named post commander at London-based KSP Post 11 of which Pulaski County is a part. Speck is optimistic that Dalton, despite KSP manpower shortages, will assign more troopers to Pulaski County. “Two troopers work in the county now … I’d like to have four or five troopers here … but I understand his manpower situation,” Speck said.

Speck hopes to resolve several cold cases. “One of the first things I’ll do after becoming sheriff is read files on every unsolved homicide,” said Speck. He said all information about cold cases will be turned over to him.

To solve burglaries, Speck said he will initiate a computer program called “Leads Online.” A pawn shop operator will enter information about a piece of jewelry or other properties into a computer connected online to the sheriff’s office. “Our detectives can immediately tell if the object has been stolen,” Speck said.

The new sheriff also plans to reinstate the Major Crimes Task Force. He said he also will work closely with Operation UNITE, launched in 2003 by Congressman Hal Rogers to fight the drug epidemic in southern and eastern Kentucky.

Speck says he has an excellent working relationship with all law enforcement officers in the area. He has talked with heads of various agencies and hopes law enforcement in the area will take a “team approach.”

Since his election, Speck has been putting together a new policy manual necessary for accreditation by Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police. The manual sets out about 150 parameters for a law enforcement agency. Speck said 14 sheriff’s departments in Kentucky are now accredited “ … and in 18 months I want ours to become the 15th department accredited.”

About providing deputies with patrol cars and uniforms, Speck said at this point he is not sure how this is being done “ … but currently it seems to be working.”

He expressed appreciation to outgoing Sheriff Todd Wood. “He has been helpful … both of us have a desire for the transition to go smoothly. I want to publicly thank him for allowing me access …,” Speck said. A smooth transition assures the public of good police practices and in some cases cost of liability insurance goes down, he noted.

As sheriff, Speck said he will primarily work a day shift “ … but I will be out there at night to see how things are going.” Part of the time he will be in uniform and part of the time in street clothing,” he noted.

Speck was a KSP trooper for six years before being promoted to sergeant and served at Henderson and Columbia. Promotion to the rank of detective-lieutenant sent him to the Harlan KSP Post where he served for three years. He was KSP liaison for HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area). Then, he was commander of the KSP Intelligence Section in Frankfort before being transferred to Columbia where he was commander of KSP Post 15, one of the largest state police posts in Kentucky.

All the while Speck has lived in Pulaski County and commuted to work. His wife, Dana, is a speech therapist at Science Hill Elementary School and operates her own private business. They have a daughter, Megan, age 12.