Thomas Hallford announced Thursday that he is running for Butler County sheriff.

Hallford previously worked for the Butler County Sheriff’s Office for nearly five years. He has worked in law enforcement for seven years.

The former deputy is Alabama Peace Officers’ Standards and Training certified. He is also certified as a Taser instructor and Oleoresin Capsicum spray (pepper spray) instructor. He holds certifications in constitutional law, interstate criminal enforcement, jail management, narcotics detection and law enforcement of missing and abducted children.

“I got into law enforcement because I’ve always liked helping people,” Hallford said. “I felt like it was the best way to serve and protect people.”

Hallford said if elected he will make sure that all laws are enforced fairly, and that all crimes are investigated.

“I’ll make sure that all thefts and burglaries are investigated, not just felonies,” he said. “If someone’s Weed Eater or lawnmower is stolen that needs to be investigated, regardless of whether it’s a misdemeanor and a felony.”

Hallford said he also plans to have deputies on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“If you have deputies on call, it slows down response time,” he said. “If they are at home and get a call, they have to get dressed and then head out. That slows things down. I’ll have deputies on duty around the clock.”

Hallford also plans to use a process server to serve civil papers to free deputies up to serve warrants, and to add a nutritionist to the staff at the Butler County Correctional Facility to prepare meals for the inmates.

“I think having inmates cook for inmates can be dangerous,” he said.

He said he would also work to get the pay scale raised for deputies and have deputies certified to work traffic accidents.

Hallford, a resident of the Pigeon Creek community, qualified as a Democrat and is running against incumbent Kenny Harden.

He has been married to Carolyn Hallford for 25 years. The couple has two children and one grandchild.