The Sheriffs Minority Voters' Guide Survey received all responses back from the 5 candidates running for Frederick County Sheriff in 2026. Below you will find a yes/no chart displaying simple responses to the 8 questions asked in our survey followed by a list of those questions. Click on any of the questions to see any additional context, up to 300 characters, the candidate wanted to add.
Map of Frederick County with Districts
If you are a candidate and you believe there is an error, please reach out to us at minorityvotersguidefrederick@gmail.com.
Karl Bickel: Yes "I have written about and provided written and oral testimony in support of these measures."
Chuck Jenkins: Yes "This agency has always been honest and open in it's approach to effective policing during my tenure as Sheriff. The agency is built on community trust and respect we show to all segments of our community and residents of this county while protecting the civil rights and liberties of everyone."
Tony Lawson: Yes "To the extent that an on going and active investigation is not compromised."
Jason Ciemielewski: Yes "I believe increased transparency, accountability and civil rights protections are imperative. Without these, community trust can not be improved."
Gary Morton: Yes
Karl Bickel: Yes
Chuck Jenkins: Yes "Only in part. I believe restorative practices should be very limited and resolutions and outcomes weighted toward the victims of crime."
Tony Lawson: Yes "I believe that a case by case approach could be appropriate, especially with juvenile cases."
Jason Ciemielewski: Yes "I absolutely support integrating restorative justice. Beyond utilizing these practices within our detention center, I will prioritize restorative justice as a pre-system diversion for youth, focusing on accountability, community based rehabilitation, and keeping our kids out of the legal system."
Gary Morton: Yes
Karl Bickel: Yes
Chuck Jenkins: No "We should never move away from punishment when necessary and appropriate for a serious crime. It has been proven that the "soft on crime" approach has not and will never be effective."
Tony Lawson: Yes "A case by case approach could be effective."
Jason Ciemielewski: Yes "Yes. I believe restorative justice should, at the very least, always be used when possible to supplement the justice system. When appropriate, as an alternative to punitive approaches. For youth, restorative justice should be used as pre-system diversion to keep kids out of the legal system. "
Gary Morton: Yes
Karl Bickel: Yes "Yes, I have written in support of all of these and provided written testimony in support of the legislation."
Chuck Jenkins: Yes "As Sheriff, my duty and obligation is to abide by the laws set forth and passed by the General Assembly of Maryland."
Tony Lawson: Yes "I believe this is a compromise and an important step towards healing and building trust within our communities."
Jason Ciemielewski: Yes "I will abide by these bills. I will go even further and utilize the Sheriff's Office to police any law enforcement agency that exceeds their lawful authority or uses actions unreasonable or illegal. "
Gary Morton: Yes
Karl Bickel: Yes "I have written in support of these measures and provided written testimony in support of efforts to address these issues."
Chuck Jenkins: Yes "Civil liberties are protected under the amendments of the U.S. Constitution. Civil rights are protected through legislation and enforced through the 14th Amendment. I will continue to work with federal immigration authorities within the framework of the laws."
Tony Lawson: Yes "It's important for everyone to feel welcome and have trust in Law Enforcement."
Jason Ciemielewski: Yes "Yes. I will also work with communities to ensure that any federal immigration enforcement activities in our communities meet every required legal standard for their presence and behavior. As Sheriff, the office will intervene when the supremacy clause immunity becomes invalid."
Gary Morton: Yes
Karl Bickel: Yes "I have even prepared suggested modifications."
Chuck Jenkins: No "This question is a total mischaracterization of this incident, and the actions of the involved deputies were consistent with the Fourth Amendment, state law, and agency policy."
Tony Lawson: Yes "After reviewing the circumstances of an incident of this type, policy modification should be looked at for potential changes."
Jason Ciemielewski: Yes "I will create a committee of rank and file deputies, leadership, community members and outside experts to review and modify the current use of force policies."
Gary Morton: Yes
Karl Bickel: Yes "I prepared a comprehensive review of bias based policing by the sheriff's office, suggested council action, and more over several years. And, you don't provide space to discuss."
Chuck Jenkins: No "The arrests by Resource Officers are reactionary to events and incidents in our schools. Charges are filed and arrests are made based on what is reported to the Deputy by school staff, eye witnesses and victims. The remedy is to not break the laws or commit acts that warrant an arrest."
Tony Lawson: Yes "Review the interaction between students and SRO's. Advocate with the school board to introduce additional programs."
Jason Ciemielewski: Yes "I support a LEADs type approach of diversion and restorative justice instead of arrests. Arrests should only be used for the most serious of crimes for youths in school. The criminal justice system should not be the resource schools turn to for handling misbehavior in school."
Gary Morton: Yes
Karl Bickel: Yes "Yes, I have discussed and written about this issue and you do not provide sufficient space here to discuss."
Chuck Jenkins: No "There is no problem or situation to remedy. This is an assertion by your organization that a problem exists."
Tony Lawson: Yes
Jason Ciemielewski: Yes "I will include community groups into the policy making apparatus and seek to make the command staff more representative of the community we serve."
Gary Morton: Yes