With the announcement a few weeks ago that current Charlotte County Sheriff Royal Freeman would not be seeking re-election, that has opened the doors for other candidates.

On Monday of this week, Charlotte County Deputy Charlie Brinkley Jr. announced he would be seeking the position of sheriff.

“I am running for sheriff because I feel Charlotte County needs more service and fewer politics,” Brinkley said.

As a Gulf War Veteran (82nd Airborne Division U.S. Army) with 23 years of experience and knowledge in law enforcement, Brinkley said he could provide excellent leadership for the Sheriff’s Office.

“I promise to do all that is necessary to serve my county in every way possible as sheriff,” Brinkley said. “A top priority is to make our county safer and provide

the citizens with 24-hour patrol coverage, which our county does not have at this time.”

CHANGES HE’D LIKE TO SEE

Twenty-four hours of patrol is one of many changes Brinkley said he would like to see.

According to Brinkley, he feels that deputies need more training, especially in dealing with mental health issues, and he said there should be citizen meetings to hear their concerns.

“There needs to be a schedule change for road deputies,” he said. “Currently, Deputies get a weekend off every six weeks with eight hours shifts, and I would move it to 12-hour shifts with every other weekend off, giving a healthy balance of work and family life. Charlotte County deserves a sheriff’s office that performs to the highest standards with integrity, ethical behavior, and accountability.”

Brinkley is employed with the Hampden-Sydney Police Department and serves as Town Sergeant for Drakes Branch.

Brinkley spent 18 years with the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Department before retiring in 2021, earning the VASAP Award for DUI efforts seven times along with the 2019 Virginia Sheriff’s Association Valor Award.