The Prince George’s County Office of the Sheriff, founded in 1696, is responsible for enforcing decisions of the courts and providing direction and oversight of law enforcement operations throughout the county. The sheriff has full powers of arrest, and the office provides service 24 hours a day. Major roles of the sheriff include responding to domestic violence calls, enforcing court-ordered evictions, processing warrants, civil papers and domestic violence peace and protective orders. The sheriff is also responsible for security for the Hyattsville and Upper Marlboro courthouse complexes and for the Upper Marlboro county employee daycare center in emergencies. An additional duty of the sheriff is apprehension and transportation of wanted fugitives.
John D. B. Carr
John D. B. Carr is a lifelong Prince George’s County resident, originally from Suitland and now residing in Brandywine with his wife and four children. He graduated from Bishop McNamara High School, earned a bachelor’s in criminology and criminal justice from the University of Maryland at College Park and holds a master’s in public administration from Norwich University. With over 20 years of service, he worked in positions across the Office of the Sheriff, including Courts, Warrants and the Domestic Violence Intervention Division. He was elected the 118th Sheriff of Prince George’s County in 2022 and sworn in that December.
1. Tell us a little about your career trajectory, the roles you’ve held, experience and what leads you to run for reelection as sheriff this year.
I began my law enforcement career on the front lines of the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Office, advancing through every rank and serving in all bureaus, including Courts, Administration and leading Field Operations. I later served as one of three assistant sheriffs before being elected sheriff in 2022. Since then, I have launched the county’s first Citizens Academy, established the Behavioral Health Unit, created youth engagement and senior safety programs and expanded domestic violence services. I am seeking reelection because our work is not finished, and Prince George’s County deserves a sheriff with proven leadership, not someone who needs time to learn the job.
2. What will be your number one priority if elected sheriff?
My top priority is apprehending dangerous offenders and removing violent criminals from our neighborhoods. I will establish a dedicated warrant task force to reduce gun violence and pursue cases involving firearms and violent offenders. Every resident of Prince George’s County deserves to live, work and raise a family without fear. I am committed to this mission every day, using all the resources and leadership of the Sheriff’s Office.
3. What can the Sheriff’s Office do to combat juvenile crime?
Addressing juvenile crime requires both prevention and intervention, and the Sheriff’s Office is well-positioned to lead. Through the Inspiring Young Minds program, deputies mentor students in six middle schools, building trust at a critical age. The Sheriff’s Saturday Youth Academy provides structured programming and mentorship beyond the school week. Mentoring through Athletics uses the power of sports to build character, discipline and trust between youth and law enforcement. Youth Explorer Post #1696 introduces young people to law enforcement careers, instills leadership skills and creates a pipeline of future public servants invested in Prince George’s County. The Behavioral Health Unit identifies and supports youth in mental health crises before situations escalate. I will expand all of these programs to reach more schools and students. Investing in mentorship, athletics and early intervention is our most effective strategy to reduce juvenile crime and build a stronger, safer community.
4. What importance does the Prince George’s County Sheriff hold for residents of cities like Greenbelt, and is there any local impact you hope to have?
The Sheriff’s Office serves Greenbelt residents through courthouse security, warrant enforcement, domestic violence intervention and community outreach. Greenbelt is a diverse and engaged community, and its residents deserve the same commitment to safety, transparency and service as all of Prince George’s County. I will strengthen our presence in Greenbelt by expanding outreach, participating in local events and ensuring every resident knows the Sheriff’s Office is accessible, responsive and working for them every day.
Ron Oliver
Ron Oliver has a total of 36 years with the Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff’s Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), including 25 years in sworn active duty and 13 years on the Executive Board of Directors for the Sheriff’s FOP Lodge 112. He began his law enforcement career with the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Office in 1990. In 2022 he was appointed assistant sheriff for Prince George’s County, when Carr became sheriff. In 2023 he completed a full seven-month class at the University of Maryland’s Police Academy, something he says was not required but proved beneficial in many ways.
1. Tell us a little about your career trajectory, the roles you’ve held, experience and what leads you to run for election as sheriff this year.
I spent the majority of my career in the Bureau of Field Operations and I was one of the original members of our Domestic Violence Unit in 1993. I was a part of the Warrant Division, which dealt with every type of warrant from traffic to murder. I was a special deputy on the U.S. Marshals Task Force for approximately six years and eventually became the Street Operations Commander for the warrant/fugitive division. My training, experience and care that I have for both the members of the Sheriff’s Office and the community give me the passion and commitment to become the next sheriff of Prince George’s County. The Sheriff’s Office FOP members completed an endorsement process between the current sheriff and myself; the results were 88.6 percent in my favor. The women and men of the agency have spoken loud and clear on who they want for their next sheriff.
2. What will be your number one priority if elected as sheriff?
Walking in the door, I will restore the trust between the members and leadership. I will have any/all non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) signed by any employee, removed immediately. I will also cease any/all preferential treatment in certain areas of the county and serve the entire county equally. I will work on staffing all of our mandated sections of the Sheriff’s Office and start focusing on fulfilling those assignments.
3. What can the Sheriff’s Office do to combat juvenile crime?
The Sheriff’s Office can partner with all of our other agencies in the county, to include our state’s attorney office. Better education and communication are paramount in working as one cohesive county. Juvenile crime is a problem and we need to get through to our parents and children together, so everyone understands what it takes to have a successful community.
4. What importance does the Prince George’s County Sheriff hold for residents of cities like Greenbelt, and is there any local impact you hope to have?
The city of Greenbelt is a very large area with large apartment complexes requiring evictions, warrants, etc. I plan to work with each municipal agency in the county and see how we can best combine resources for a better Prince George’s County.