Professionalism in the jail affects safety, accountability, and taxpayer dollars.

The job is the jail.

Vote Stephen R. Gibbs for Meade County Jailer — Republican Primary May 19

Why Change Is Needed Now

The Office of Jailer is not just a position — it is a public trust.

Public records, including state audits, ethics findings, and federal court filings, have raised serious concerns about civil rights compliance, oversight, fiscal accountability, safety, and professional standards at the Meade County Detention Center.

These filings include allegations related to medical care, inmate treatment, access to legal services, and the ability to practice religion, including access to religious texts, services, and clergy, as well as retaliation for grievances and concerns about facility conditions.

While many aspects of the jail should be preserved, these documented issues highlight the need for stronger professional leadership, clear accountability, and policies that fully comply with the law.

Public audits, federal court records, and ethics findings are available for every voter to review. 

A Voter Asked Me: “Why Should We Choose You?”

“I’m running for the office, not against any person. Ultimately, the voters of Meade County will decide who is best prepared to run the Meade County Jail. People should vote for the candidate who can professionally run a modern detention center. As a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel and retired Columbus police officer, I bring real experience in street-level criminal-justice work, command responsibility, budgeting, personnel management, and standards-based operations. My focus is on professionalism, accountability, and raising the standard of safety and care at the jail — not politics or popularity.”

— Voter response:
“Sir the last sentence was the answer I wanted thank you, you got my vote sir.”

Professional Leadership. Real Experience.

Stephen R. Gibbs brings decades of public-safety leadership to Meade County.

• Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel
• Retired Columbus Division of Police Officer
• Managed multimillion-dollar public budgets
• Battalion Commander overseeing personnel, operations, logistics, and military justice

The Meade County Jailer’s office is an executive responsibility. It requires experienced, professional leadership.

Making Professionalism Matter — Day One

On Day One, I will implement the following actions to strengthen professionalism, enhance public safety, and uphold respect for the law in the Office of the Meade County Jailer:

End fraternization at the top – Professional boundaries will be enforced at every level of leadership.

Implement a professional social media policy – The office’s online presence will reflect today’s professional standards.

Prohibit the use of inmate images, uniforms, or jail resources for political or personal purposes – The dignity of individuals and the integrity of the office will be protected at all times.

Implement a no-pursuit policy — prioritizing public safety over immediate apprehension.

Law enforcement activity will be directly related to the jailer's custodial responsibilities – except when necessary to prevent a serious crime or protect life.

Issue an updated Use of Force policy – prohibiting the discharge of firearms at motor vehicles except where there is a reasonable fear of death or serious injury and the danger was not created by the involved personnel.

Maintain full compliance with federal law, including the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) – Ensuring lawful religious practices are respected while maintaining safety and security.

Why I’m Entering This Primary

I’m running to increase professionalism and strengthen the public image of the Office of Jailer.

Public image is shaped by how we manage taxpayer funds, how we respond to audits and oversight, and how leadership conducts itself in public and online. This office should consistently reflect professionalism, ethical leadership, fiscal responsibility, and a firm commitment to protecting the public trust.

After reviewing public reports and oversight materials, it became clear to me just how serious the responsibility of this office truly is.

With more than 26 years in the U.S. Army and over 15 years in law enforcement, I’ve learned that leadership means accountability, setting clear standards, and ensuring operations are conducted safely, lawfully, and responsibly.

My goal is to bring proven executive-level leadership to the Jailer’s Office. Leadership that is focused on protecting the public, supporting deputies, safeguarding inmates’ rights, and responsibly managing taxpayer resources.

ABOUT STEPHEN R. GIBBS

Stephen R. Gibbs
Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.), U.S. Army
Police Officer (Ret.), Columbus, Ohio, Division of Police
Senior Army JROTC Instructor
Certified Kentucky Teacher
Educated at the Naval Postgraduate School and Liberty University

Stephen R. Gibbs is married to his lovely wife, Lisa, and served over 26 years in the U.S. Army, culminating in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. An Airborne-qualified officer, his career included command and staff assignments in operations, logistics, and psychological operations — including service as Battalion Commander of the 1st Psychological Operations Battalion (Airborne) — with duty both stateside and overseas, including combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In addition to his military career, he served more than 15 years with the Columbus Division of Police, where he gained extensive experience in prisoner handling, transportation, booking, and court security — performing many of the same custody and supervision duties carried out within a correctional facility. This firsthand operational experience shaped his understanding of professionalism, accountability, and risk management in public safety.

He has a record of sound judgment and steady leadership in both daily operations and high-stress environments. Those same qualities define his approach to teaching, mentoring, and public service today.

He currently serves as a Senior Army JROTC Instructor, where he mentors young leaders and teaches citizenship, discipline, and service. As a state-certified educator, he brings the same structure, accountability, and professionalism to the classroom that he practiced throughout his military career.

Stephen holds two master’s degrees from the Naval Postgraduate School and is pursuing graduate studies at Liberty University, with a focus on leadership and pastoral counseling. His academic and professional training reflect a lifelong commitment to disciplined service, ethical leadership, and community development.

He and his wife, Lisa, attend their local church, where faith and service remain central to their lives. His values — integrity, duty, and selfless service — are shaped by that faith and guide every aspect of his leadership and public service.

His service has been recognized with multiple awards, including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Combat Action Badge, and the Columbus, Ohio, Division of Police Silver Cross Medal for courageous action under dangerous conditions.

Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Gibbs is also a life member of the Brandenburg VFW Post 11404 and the American Legion, continuing his lifelong commitment to serving veterans and the Meade County community.

“Leadership begins with character and ends in selfless service.”
— Stephen R. Gibbs

What Changes Under Professional Leadership

From day one, leadership in the Jailer’s Office will be focused on professionalism, accountability, and public trust.

• Clear ethical boundaries and credible oversight, including independent and objective medical supervision
• Strong financial controls, with executive oversight and segregation of duties to ensure compliance with Kentucky law
• Updated policies aligned with Kentucky Department of Corrections (KYDOC) standards and Kentucky Association of Counties (KACo) best practices
• Consistent daily operations that reflect written policy through supervision and accountability
• A professional public presence that reflects the seriousness and responsibility of the office

These changes are about building systems that work every day — not politics, personalities, or optics.

Bottom Line

My goal is simple: to build on what is working, strengthen professional standards, and lead a safe, lawful, and fiscally responsible correctional system that protects deputies, inmates, and taxpayers alike.

The same standards that guided me in uniform continue to guide me today.
These values define how I lead — and how I will serve as your next Jailer.

A Note to Voters

Public service is a privilege and a responsibility. I’ve spent my life serving others — in uniform, in law enforcement, and in the classroom — and I believe leadership is about earning trust every day.

This campaign isn’t about titles or politics. It’s about professionalism, accountability, and pride in how our county’s correctional system represents Meade County. Together, we can set the standard — and not settle for it.

Thank you for your trust, your time, and your commitment to our community.

— Stephen R. Gibbs

FOOTER / LEGAL

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