Richard Watson, St. Clair County Sheriff
* Sheriff Watson is from the Chicago area
* Attended Eastern Illinois University
* Masters Degree Program completed May 2014
* Taught and coached at Cahokia High School
* Began his law enforcement career in 1978 in Cahokia, IL under the guidance of the then Chief Mearl Justus
* Retired as Chief of Police in Cahokia in 2011
* Attended FBI Academy in Quantico, VA
* Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis-Executive Board Member
* Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board-Chairman
* Department of Corrections Advisory Board Member
* Mobile Training Unit #14-Board Member
* 911 Board-Chairman
* Addressing the overcrowded jail and the need for the jail expansion
* Established St. Clair County Sheriff’s department Scared Straight Program. A program to deter “HIGH RISK” youths from becoming part of the Criminal Justice System.
* Implementation of the Business/Residence and well being checks for St. Clair County community.
* Reestablished and enhanced the St. Clair County Neighborhood Watch Program.
*Enhanced the Inmate Rehabilitation Program in St. Clair County whereby roadways are removed of trash and debris and the St. Clair County Parks was improved.
*Reestablished the D.A.R.E program in St. Clair County
* Redirected community patrols and implemented pro-active patrol card program
* Married to wife Janice 25 years, 3 children, 7 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren
Richard “Rick” Watson is a professional law enforcement administrator as well as a trusted and knowledgeable leader.
* Attended Eastern Illinois University
* Masters Degree Program completed May 2014
* Taught and coached at Cahokia High School
* Began his law enforcement career in 1978 in Cahokia, IL under the guidance of the then Chief Mearl Justus
* Retired as Chief of Police in Cahokia in 2011
* Attended FBI Academy in Quantico, VA
* Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis-Executive Board Member
* Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board-Chairman
* Department of Corrections Advisory Board Member
* Mobile Training Unit #14-Board Member
* 911 Board-Chairman
* Addressing the overcrowded jail and the need for the jail expansion
* Established St. Clair County Sheriff’s department Scared Straight Program. A program to deter “HIGH RISK” youths from becoming part of the Criminal Justice System.
* Implementation of the Business/Residence and well being checks for St. Clair County community.
* Reestablished and enhanced the St. Clair County Neighborhood Watch Program.
*Enhanced the Inmate Rehabilitation Program in St. Clair County whereby roadways are removed of trash and debris and the St. Clair County Parks was improved.
*Reestablished the D.A.R.E program in St. Clair County
* Redirected community patrols and implemented pro-active patrol card program
* Married to wife Janice 25 years, 3 children, 7 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren
Richard “Rick” Watson is a professional law enforcement administrator as well as a trusted and knowledgeable leader.