A CHANGE FOR A BETTER FUTURE.

As your Sheriff I guarantee to the citizen of Forsyth that you’ll see me working the streets and aiding and assisting my officers diligently each day and not find me hiding behind the desk all day!

My name is Ernie Leyba and I would like to tell you a little bit about myself and why I would be grateful for your support in my upcoming campaign to become the next Sheriff of Forsyth County. I was born and raised in Southern California and attended parochial school for twelve years. I graduated from St. Catherine Laboure and Bishop Montgomery High School. It was these earlier years that I learned what it takes to succeed in both the elements of hard work and dedication. I carried these two qualities through El Camino College and Long Beach State University.

While attending college, I simultaneously completed LAPD Academy. It was at this time that it seemed my career chose me as much as I chose to enter the police force. I gained much of my expertise in the streets and during street patrols while serving at the City of Newport Beach Police and the Los Angeles Police Departments.

Among my numerous duties were Street Patrol, Beach Patrol, CRASH UNIT, GANG UNIT, Narcotics and Drug Unit as well as all aspects of Officer Survival trainings.

Through all over 20 years, there were many pivotal moments that have also turned into solid expertise experiences. Some of these include being called a hero for saving two children from a burning house fire and two honorary awards for both arrest and apprehension of gang members and tactical officer for undercover High School operations. Upon moving to North Carolina my awards and recognitions increased as well. I have received many certifications as well for Police Law Institute, Advance Law Enforcement and awarded for most DWI arrest in a one-year time frame from Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (M.A.D.D) I have served in the K-9 Unit as well and served as Deputy Sheriff in Forsyth County. I have also earned many recognitions through the Town of Kernersville Police and the City of Durham Police. In addition to these accomplishments, I also established and own my own Company.

With your support, I can promise you I will be an active hands-on kind of Sheriff serving the community down in the trenches. I will be up close and a part of this community. I will support my team of professionals as they make everyday decisions to improve the safety and protection of all in our community. Thank you for your support.

My Vision

  • School Safety is MY Priority! 
  • REBUILDING TRUST with the community
  • Educating and working with neighborhoods and business owners to create a safer and stronger community.
  • Improve MORALE within the Sheriff’s office
  • Working on better RAPPORT with the City of Winston Salem Police Officers, ICE, and Federal Agencies…focusing on the common goal on keeping the city and county safe.
  • Increase the officers for SRO programs in schools
  • Reorganizing the schedules so that officers have more time spent with family which increases productivity and safety… They’re more aware and highly focused to better perform on the job.
  • INCREASE PATROL on the streets so that it deters criminals from committing crime…this makes the community feel safer, crime rates drop, and increases response time to the scene
  • Address the major DRUG problems plaguing our community of Forsyth county, in the streets and abuse prescriptions of opioids! I will develop a Specialized Task Force as well teaming up with local, state and federal agencies to battle against those people that are producing these drugs and eliminate from spreading to our community and kids….
  • I’ll work diligently by hitting the streets myself and working with my Deputies to prevent losing our young people to GANGS involving them to criminal activities with guns and violent crimes. I will also dedicate to prevent violent crimes such as ARMED ROBBERIES, HOME INVASIONS and CAR JACKINGS…
  • I will work with the dedicated staff of the Detention Center to better the morale and conditions by providing them with sufficient training and resources they will need to improve conditions for detainees and officers alike.
  • I will work on improving medical care for inmates, to eliminate deaths due to inadequate medical treatments.
  • Reduce and prevent the numbers of LAW SUITS against the Sheriff Office.
  • Provide a better process of Intakes/Arrestees quicker so that Patrol Officers can return to patrol the streets.

 

NEW AREAS TO BRING IN OR INTRODUCE:

  • Restoration of Narcotics Division
  • Restoration of CSI Division
  • Create a TASK force to fight against gangs and drugs that plague our community
  • I will be working in the streets with my fellow officers along with the other duties that come with being Sheriff
  • Reinforce and Upgrade the Reserve Program
  • Upgrade the SRO (School Resource Officer) Programs within all schools and have more Officers for each school.