Tale of the Tape: Sheriff Candidates’ LinkedIn Profiles

 When it comes right down to it, casting a vote is exactly like hiring someone for a job.  You pick them from among other candidates and expect them to deliver on a set of responsibilities you’ve defined.  But, unlike the typical “at will” employment, the winner gets a four-year employment contract, which makes it even more important to make the right hiring decision.
Certainly, if you were going to hire someone for four-years, you’d expect to see, at a minimum, a resume that shows at least the basic information: relevant work experience, education and community involvement.  If you then selected the candidate for an interview, you’d also likely ask the candidate to explain job changes and any gaps in employment history. Seems straightforward enough.

None of the websites of the candidates for Loudoun County sheriff has anything that resembles a real resume.  However, Mike Chapman and Verne Dickerson do have LinkedIn sites with some of that information.  Chapman’s is here.  Dickerson’s is here.

Chapman lists impressive credentials both at DEA and in his current role in the private sector, including not only law enforcement experience but budget management experience, too.  He also has a master’s degree in public administration.

Dickerson lists his current employment as “Realtor at RE/MAX Gateway.”  Although he does reference 27 years with the FBI, his LinkedIn page shows a ten-year gap between his retirement with the FBI and his current employment as a realtor.

Now, given those “resumes,” whom would you hire? (and don’t even bother with Speakman)