Candidate Q&A: C.J. Maier, Candidate for Livingston County Sheriff

Hartland and Brighton Patch has sent out a survey to candidates running for office to represent Livingston County. The following is the Q&A response from sheriff candidate C.J. Maier.

Patch: How long have you lived in Livingston County?

Maier: Eleven years.

Patch: What community and civic organizations are you currently involved in? 

Maier: N/A

Patch: What personal and professional experiences make you qualified to hold that position? 

Maier: Member of the Livingston County Republican Party, Graduate of Pioneer High School, 1972, Bachelor of Science Degree, Law Enforcement Criminal Justice, Ferris State University, 1976, Candidate is a career Investigator with over 37 years of experience in law enforcement and private investigations.  

Candidate has extensive experience conducting investigations in the areas of homicide, narcotics trafficking, high profile public corruption, financial crimes, white collar and organized crimes.  

Candidate retired as section commander of a multi-jurisdictional task force charged with investigating narcotics trafficking, auto theft and high profile crimes in Washtenaw, Livingston, and Jackson Counties.

Experience: (Current position) Chrysler Corporate Security Investigator, Retired from the Michigan State Police after 25 years of service and held the following positions: Detective First Lieutenant, Livingston and Washtenaw Counties Narcotics Enforcement Teams, Detective Lieutenant, Southeast Michigan Conspiracy Organization, Detective Lieutenant, Southeastern Criminal Investigation Division, Organized Crime Unit,Detective Sergeant, Southeastern Criminal Investigation Division, Organized Crime Unit, Trooper Specialist – Michigan State Police Forensic Laboratory, Latent Prints, Trooper, Michigan State Police, Public Safety Officer, Bloomfield Hills Department of Public Safety,Police Officer, Mason Police Department.

Specialized Training: Candidate is an expert witness for crime scene evidence collection, crime scene investigation, latent print identification, and expert court testimony involving criminal investigations. Candidate has previously provided instructions in the areas of fraud and financial investigations, money laundering, narcotics trafficking, white collar/organized crime and public corruption along with health and wellness physical fitness programs for departmental members.

Patch: What is the most important issue facing the county related to your position and what do you intend to do about it during your term in office? 

Maier: Leadership, integrity, professionalism jump out as the major issues currently causing concerns and problems at the Sheriff's Office.  The Livingston County Sheriff's Deputy Association openly stated that morale throughout the department is at a record low. This open statement is stunning in itself.  I firmly believe that morale begins at the top.  The deputies loyalty, trust and respect can never be taken for granted.  I will work for and with the deputies to ensure leadership, support, training and all possible resources are available so that they can best complete their assignment with pride. 

I believe that 911 Central Dispatch needs to be properly staffed so that all calls are answered and dispatched in a timely manner. 

Currently on occasion, emergency callers are placed on hold because of the excessive work load. This is an unacceptable practice. Full staffing of 24, not ten plus seven trainees, not 20 but 24 fully staffed 911 Operators/Dispatchers.

I propose a three year commitment of all new hires, with a graduated pay scale.

Patch: Do you belong to the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association and hold the values of Sheriff Mack?  

Maier: No, I do not belong to the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association but I do hold the same values as of Sheriff Mack.