Earl Campbell seeks Wallkill Town Board position.
Orange County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Earl Campbell is on a mission to unite and uplift the community as he runs for the Town of Wallkill Ward 3 councilman seat.
“I’m excited about the direction Wallkill is heading in, and I want to be a part of it,” Lt. Campbell shared with The Epoch Times. “Being actively involved in our community and representing its people brings me immense joy.”
Having overcome a challenging childhood and difficult early adulthood, Lt. Campbell has climbed the ranks at the county sheriff’s office to become a lieutenant. His inspiring success story serves as a beacon of hope for young individuals in the community.
“If you persist and give your best effort, you can achieve anything,” he emphasized.
Lt. Campbell believes his strong communication skills and ability to build consensus will greatly benefit the councilman seat.
“Communication is a vital skill I learned as a correctional officer,” he explained. “Treating people with respect goes a long way. I excelled because I saw inmates as individuals, not just as prisoners.”
During his childhood, Lt. Campbell resided with his aunt in the Bronx’s University Heights neighborhood, where gangs and violence were prevalent.
With an absent father and a struggling mother, he credits his uncle and regular church attendance for keeping him away from negative influences.
Years later, he reunited with his mother, who had become a minister at a local church.
Moving to Middletown
After high school, he found work at retail stores in New York City but faced financial difficulties and a lack of family support.
“My grandmother, aunts, and mother all moved to Middletown,” Lt. Campbell shared.
In 2006, he made the decision to join them and start anew.
“Middletown was a breath of fresh air for me,” Lt. Campbell recalled. “The green grass, absence of concrete, subways, and homelessness in the city made a significant difference.”
Two years later, with a child on the way, he sought career opportunities beyond retail and set his sights on the county sheriff’s office.
At 25, he became a correctional officer at the county jail.
Rising Through the Ranks
Lt. Campbell’s upbringing in the Bronx and his early family experiences allowed him to empathize with inmates who had similar backgrounds, enabling him to persuade them towards compliance.
This skill proved invaluable in resolving gang-related conflicts within the jail.
“I make them consider the consequences of their actions,” he explained. “Continuing down a chaotic path won’t lead to anything positive. By understanding the other person’s perspective or choosing not to react, they can make significant changes.”
“Not every action requires a reaction,” he added.
Lt. Campbell’s approach to treating all inmates equally involves disregarding their criminal history unless necessary for work-related purposes.
He believes that effective communication with inmates is increasingly crucial due to changing state laws, such as those limiting solitary confinement in correctional facilities.
“Sometimes, talking is the only way to get the job done,” Lt. Campbell remarked. “While it may be more challenging to handle certain inmates under the new laws, it has also improved officer communication.”
“We follow the principle of being fair, firm, and consistent,” he added. “By being fair, firm in our decisions, and consistent in our actions, we can excel.”
He achieved the rank of sergeant in 2016 and lieutenant in 2020.
Councilman Campaign
Lt. Campbell’s involvement with the county sheriff’s office extends to educating the local community about the agency’s services and resources, such as the Safe Child ID program.
His community outreach efforts focus on fostering a better relationship between youth and law enforcement through neighborhood events.
“Running for the town board is a significant step towards helping my community and the residents of Ward 3,” he expressed. “It’s a new opportunity to make a positive impact.”
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