Davis County Sheriff Primary: Jon Atkin and Aaron Perry
A look at the two candidates competing in the Republican Primary for Davis County Sheriff.
About this position
The Davis County Sheriff coordinates with and oversees local city law-enforcement agencies. The sheriff’s office is in charge of the Davis County Jail, county emergency management, security in the administration building, search and rescue, and civil tasks such as serving court orders and eviction notices, and more.
The county sheriff’s department also provides law enforcement for three contracted cities: Fruit Heights, South Weber, and West Point.
Candidates
Aaron Perry
About: Lifelong Davis County resident. B.A., with emphases in criminal justice, Spanish, and emergency care & rescue. Spent his first 16 years of law enforcement in Davis County Sheriff’s Office. Worked as Deputy Chief for Roy City Police Department, then Chief Deputy of the Weber County Sheriff’s Office (6 years), where he led the enforcement, corrections, and administrative divisions.
In 2014 he received an MPA, and in 2019 graduated from the FBI National Academy training. Overall, Mr. Perry brings 20+ years in law enforcement.
Top priorities (from website): public safety over politics; support, staffing & retention; budget accountability & transparency; community-oriented policing; serious crime & public safety cooperation
Insights: Mr. Perry’s endorsements include both the Weber County Sheriff, with whom he’s been working most recently, and the current Davis County Sheriff. Mr. Perry oversaw the implementation of a “Bridge the Gap” inmate re-entry program in the Weber County Sheriff’s office that resulted in a 45% reduction in recidivism.
We are impressed by how personal this work is to Mr. Perry. In candidate events and on his website, Mr. Perry recounted a number of experiences that show his personal concern. He would drive newly-released jail inmates home, asking them during the drive about their barriers to successful re-entry to society. For those who lost family members due to criminal violence, he’d take them a homemade meal and explain the criminal justice process. We appreciate both the passion and deep experience Mr. Perry would bring to this office.
Learn more about Mr. Perry in this article.
Jon Atkin
About: Lived in Davis County for 25+ years. Degree in criminal justice. Currently a Davis County Sheriff’s Office sergeant (9 years), a Utah Air National Guard captain, an Air Force Intelligence Officer, and a North Davis Fire District firefighter and paramedic. Mr. Atkin also spent 14+ years in the military.
Top priorities (from website): protecting children & preserving communities, focusing on crime, upholding Constitutional rights & individual freedoms, embracing technology & combating cybercrime, building strong partnerships to serve the county
Insights: Mr. Atkin’s endorsements include former Davis County Sheriff, Bud Cox. Mr. Atkin believes the Davis County Sheriff’s department requires some changes. He feels that as a boots-on-the-ground member of the department, he’s in a position to identify those changes, including staffing and retention, creating a culture with more open communication, and implementing more technology into law enforcement. (We note that his rival, Mr. Perry, also worked in the Davis County Sheriff’s office in the past and may also bring best practices from the Weber County office.
Learn more about Mr. Atkin in this article.
Our recommendation
We strongly support Mr. Perry as the Republican candidate for Davis County Sheriff for two reasons.
The first (and most important) reason is his deep experience. We talked to someone who served in the Davis County Sheriff’s Office and knows both men. This individual thinks highly of both men but said there is no question that Perry is better prepared for this office at this time. We note that during his campaign, Mr. Atkin has emphasized his energy (perhaps as a code for “youth”). On the flip side, he doesn’t have the breadth or depth of relevant experience that Mr. Perry would bring to the office.
Frankly, we’re worried about Mr. Atkin’s endorsements from ultraconservative Utah leaders like Representative Trevor Lee and House Speaker Mike Schultz. It’s hard to get a sense for policy preferences in a sheriff’s race, but endorsements can be telling.
We note that both candidates have said that they would coordinate with ICE to some degree.
What’s next?
This race is uncontested in the general election this fall, so the winner of the Republican primary will become the next Davis County Sheriff.
Make sure to return your ballot before June 23 (and much earlier if by mail) in any Davis County official dropbox.