Jefferson County sheriff candidates were in Port Arthur Thursday to participate in a political forum sponsored by the Political Information Committee of New St. John Baptist Church and the Ministers of Port Arthur.

The two candidates, Zena Stephens and Joe “QB” Stevenson detailed their platforms and answered questions from the audience.

Both Stephens and Stevenson grew up in Jefferson County, and both have long careers in law enforcement, but aside from that, there are numerous differences in the way they would run the sheriff’s department.

Stephens has a total of 26 years law enforcement experience — 11 of that as Jefferson County Deputy Chief of Law Enforcement.

She currently serves as the Prairie View A&M Chief of Police — a position that has spawned numerous questions about how she can work there and run for Jefferson County Sheriff, she said.

Stephens said she still lives in Beaumont, and like so many others, commutes to work in another city.

“I am sick and tired of arguing about every issue in Jefferson County,” she said.

Stephens said she has management skills, and believes it is important to bring fairness and consistence to Jefferson County.

If elected sheriff she would work to hire professionals, and not shy away from administering discipline to employees if it is warranted.

Stevenson started his law enforcement career in 1983 as a corrections officer. He was also Precinct 6 Constable — a position that provided him experience in budgeting and managing people.

“My credentials speak for themselves,” he said.

In 2012, he ran an unsuccessful campaign for sheriff against the incumbent Mitch Woods, but made a good showing against the longtime sheriff.

“I came within 3,000 votes of the 15-year incumbent,” he said.

Stevenson said he is concerned about what he described as “big division” in the sheriff’s office.

“Until things are corrected internally, that place is headed for a shipwreck,” he said.

When asked what they would do to stop brutality in the system on inmates and people in the community, Stephens said it was important to demand professionalism and make employees accountable.

“As sheriff you need to screen employees we hire,” she said. “Everyone cannot be a good police officer or correctional officer even though they have graduated from the police academy.”

Stephens said she would look for certain qualities in an officer such as compassion.

“Character is something you have or don’t have. If a person is willing to fabricate evidence or beat people up they need to go,” she said.

She plans to implement a civilian review board to look over the department’s use of force cases.

“Brutality among citizens and inmates should be zero policy,” Stevenson said. “What is good for one should be good for another.”

He cited an incident occurring in Jefferson County where a 4’11” woman was hit 10-to 12 times by a correctional officer, whose punishment was a few days off from work.

“That won’t happen with me; take my word,” he said. “It’s about accountability, consistency and disciplinary action.”

Both said they would make every effort to hire local employees while Stephens said she an emphasis should be placed on training minorities, females and Hispanics.

“I am here because this community nurtured my career, so I think it is important for the Sheriff’s office to nurture others,” she said.

Stevenson said if elected he would keep as many existing employees as possible and make sure they were working in the right place. In the past, he said, there has been a vicious cycle of hiring.

“It makes sense to hire local people. I think people should pay taxes where they live and live where they pay taxes,” he said.

Both candidates said have experience preparing budgets and managing people.

Stevenson said he prepared a $600,000 budge while Constable and managed eight people.

“Once you know how to mange that budget and personnel, you can do it on a larger scale,” he said.

Stephens said she is involved in Prairie View’s multi-million budget and has overseen 200 personnel — many times when stress levels were high.

“I do believe if people are not doing their jobs, I am not going to keep them and sued,” she said.

E-mail: sherry.koonce@panews.com

Twitter: sgsturdivant