HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The appointment of Reno County’s new sheriff is down to a formality. Once Gov. Laura Kelly appoints Darrian Campbell as the new sheriff, he will take over when current sheriff, Randy Henderson, retires at the end of the year.

After Campbell learned he had been selected, he says it was a nice feeling. “Well I guess it feels pretty good,” Campbell said. “Randy has done a lot for the agency, so it will be big shoes to fill. I have some ideas and I think I can bring some good leadership to the agency.”

Campbell says the reaction within the department has been good. “I think the reaction has been pretty decent. I think I had the support of a lot of people,” Campbell said.

He is the head of the patrol division of the department now and admits there are a lot of unknowns, saying he needs to become more informed on the workings of the detective and jail divisions. Campbell has a military background having served this country in the Middle East.

Campbell believes he has plenty to offer the agency, and the men and women who work there. He has worked to hone his skills that he hopes will filter down to them.

One of the areas that continues to be an issue in Hutchinson and the entire county is drugs. Capt. Campbell says that is something he will push his deputies to pursue. “I look forward to push people to do more engagements,” Campbell said. “I do believe that a lot of the narcotics that plague our communities is brought from out of county. I believe this because we haven’t processed a manufacturing lab in a long time.”

He says they need to get officers familiar with the Fourth Amendment on search and seizures laws. He says they need to work on the process of searches and seize narcotics that are being brought in from outside the county.

The Reno County Republican Party sent Capt. Campbell’s name to Gov. Laura Kelly. She will officially appoint him to fulfill the rest of Sheriff Henderson’s term. Sheriff Henderson retires Dec. 27.