In the wake of the nationwide ambush-shootings of police officers and the obviously escalating polarization between law enforcement and many within America’s largely African-American communities, Richland County (South Carolina) Sheriff Leon and his Richland County Sheriff’s Dept. (RCSD) reflect an entirely different dynamic wherein a mutual respect and public trust seems to exist between all parties. This was clearly demonstrated in last month’s S.C. Democrat primary in which Lott easily defeated former SLED (State Law Enforcement Div.) agent James Flowers, an African-American challenger, in a county that is nearly split down the middle in terms of Black-White racial makeup (45.9 are black or African American, and 47.3 percent are white) not including other races. As we recently reported, Lott’s success as a public servant, is largely due to his establishment – beginning many years ago – of a culture of community outreach developed not by “simply knocking on doors, standing on the front porch and talking. [Lott] steps inside, sits down and breaks bread with families.”

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