SMITHFIELD—Smithfield Police Chief Mark Marshall on Tuesday became the fourth to announce plans to run for Isle of Wight County sheriff.
In a short outdoor announcement in the 90-plus degree heat, Marshall said he’s been watching the recent goings-on at the sheriff’s department, including the arrest of Sheriff C.W. “Charlie” Phelps’ son, Sheriff’s Capt. Paul Phelps for allegedly knowing that a convicted felon illegally possessed a department-issued stun gun. That felon — department volunteer Jonathan Burns — was indicted for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
“I’ve been watching most of the developments with the sheriff’s department,” Marshall said. “I was particularly dismayed that the sheriff decided to run again for a seventh term.”
The 52-year-old independent also joins Hampton Police Lt. James “Jim” Crotts, an Isle of Wight resident running as an independent, and Rick Gaddis, head of the Newport News Police Homicide Unit.
The job pays $80,209 annually.
“If elected, I will center on three pillars — professionalism, partnership and integrity,” he said.
Marshall said he would implement standards of professionalism for every facet of the department’s operations.
“Smithfield has been accredited since 2000 — one of the smallest agencies in the state to achieve that distinction,” he said.
If elected, he would achieve accreditation for the sheriff’s office during his first term.
“In terms of partnerships, we will work with all law enforcement agencies, with the commonwealth attorney’s office, court system and entire criminal justice system,” Marshall said.
Integrity will be the biggest piece.
Marshall has been in state and local law enforcement for 25 years and has been the chief in Smithfield for 18 years.
He is president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and was elected to the board in 2006.
He is chairman for the Law Enforcement Data Exchange statewide information-sharing project. This initiative includes the sharing of data among local, state and federal agencies, and in 2005, won the International Association of Chief’s of Police award for Excellence in Technology. This statewide system has been the model for nine additional projects across the country.
Marshall serves on the Advisory Policy Board for the FBI’s CJIS Division. The division produces a variety of products and services to the entire law enforcement community.
He sits on several GLOBAL committees that are advisory bodies to the Attorney General and Department of Justice on matters of information sharing and intelligence. Marshall is on the Criminal Intelligence Coordination Council and served on GLOBAL’s committee that developed operating standards for Fusion Centers.
He chairs a variety of committees and commissions with an emphasis on technology, governance and policy impact.
Marshall is the past president of the Hampton Roads Chief’s Association and is on the Executive Board of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police.
He has a master’s in public administration from Old Dominion University and a bachelor of arts degree in criminology from Saint Leo University.
Marshall is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the Police Executive Leadership program through the University of Richmond and the Virginia Police Chiefs Foundation..
He is married to his high school sweetheart, Deborah. They have two children, Joshua and Rachel.