Russell E. Bedsole

417 Sterling Park Cir.
Alabaster, AL 35007
Telephone:  205-229-6021
Email:  russell@russellbedsole.com


Education

Troy University
Montgomery, Alabama
MSPA, December 2005

Auburn University
Auburn, Alabama
BACJ, August 1998


Political/Civic Experience

City of Alabaster City Council, Ward 5
November 2012 – Present

Public Safety Committee Chair
November 2016 – Present


Professional Experience

Sheriff’s Office
Columbiana, Alabama
December 1999 – Present

Captain – Jail Division
July 2018 – Present

  • Serves as Division Commander responsible for jail and inmate transport activities to include the 
  • Plans, assigns, supervises, directs, and participates in the programs and activities of the Jail Division of the Sheriff’s Office
  • Develop staffing plans and other reports to determine trends, and makes recommendations for change in organization and operating procedures 
  • Ensures training plans for subordinate personnel in new methods and procedures of jail management 
  • Evaluates the work of subordinate personnel and maintains discipline; reviews various records, reports, and complaints.
  • Completes all paperwork related to internal investigations and prepares file for review by Sheriff and Chief Deputy. 

Lieutenant – Jail Division
January 2015 – July 2018

  • Serve as Assistant Division Commander and as Acting Commander in the absence of division administrator
  • Works with Division Commander to plans, assigns, supervises, directs, and participates in the programs and activities of the Jail Division of the Sheriff’s Office
  • Assists in developing staffing plans and other reports to determine trends, and makes recommendations for change in organization and operating procedures 
  • Trains subordinate personnel in new methods and procedures of jail management 
  • Evaluates the work of subordinate personnel and maintains discipline; reviews various records, reports, and complaints.

Sergeant – Uniform Division
October 2013 – January 2015

  • Recommends changes to the Standard Operating Procedures.
  • Sets goals and objectives for self and subordinates
  • Gathers, sorts, organizes, approves, and distributes paperwork
  • Communicates directions at a crime scene
  • Relays information to others responding to a crime scene
  • Responds to major crime scenes to provide oversight
  • Ensures minimum staffing is scheduled for every shift
  • Provides back-up and support to deputies in the field.
  • Responds to calls from dispatch while in the patrol area.
  • Responds to situations encountered on patrol (e.g., traffic accidents, suspicious persons).
  • Responds to calls for service.
  • Requests additional units as needed.

Sergeant – Administration Division
August 2011 – October 2013

  • Serve as support personnel for Sheriff, Chief Deputy and Administration Division Captain
  • Direct supervisor over:
    Records Division
    Civil Division
    Communications Division
  • Responsible for initial applicant interviews
  • Public relations and Public Information responsibilities
  • Subpoena compliance for request for Sheriff’s Office records

Criminal Investigator
June 2008 – August 2011

  • Investigation of felony and misdemeanor crimes
  • Responsible for management of a case load of a variety of crimes
  • Maintained an open line of communication with crime victims
  • 24/7 availability for crime scene investigation
  • Evidence collection
  • Conducted numerous investigations of crimes against children
  • Court Testimony

Patrol Deputy
December 1999 – June 2008

  • Responsible for criminal law enforcement. 
  • Responsible for enforcement of traffic laws.
  • Conduct proactive criminal patrols. 
  • Perform basic investigation of crimes.
  • Conduct service of legal court summons.
  • Conduct basic motor vehicle accident investigation.

Project Lifesaver Team Instructor
March 2005 – 2007

  • Responsible for conducting searches of clients that have been reported missing. 
  • Responsible for training of other deputies appointed to the team.
  • Responsible for the use of tracking equipment.
  • Responsible for in home interviews to select eligible clients.
  • Responsible for the education of the clients and their families regarding the program.

Field Training Officer
August 2004 – August 2005
April 2008 – June 2008

  • Responsible for the instruction and tutelage of new recruits.
  • Served as de facto supervisor to new recruits.
  • Completed daily observation reports of new recruits.

Canine Handler
March 2003 – April 2008

  • Responsible for canine handling during narcotic searches. 
  • Responsible for canine maintenance and training.
  • Responsible for staying current or search and seizure laws

Lee County Sheriff’s Department
Patrol Duty
Opelika, Alabama
September 1998 – December 1999

  • Responsible for criminal law enforcement. 
  • Responsible for enforcement of traffic laws.
  • Conduct proactive criminal patrols. 
  • Perform basic investigation of crimes.
  • Conduct service of legal court summons.

Volunteer Organizations

KenyaRelief.Org
January 2015

Conducted training for security staff in Migori, Kenya and conducted an initial threat assessment of Kenya Relief compound

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
February 2015 – 2017

Served as the media relations chair for the Birmingham affiliate


Professional Organizations

FBI National Academy Associates
Member
2019 – Present

Leadership Shelby County
Class of 2019 and Active Member

KenyaRelief.Org
Board of Directors Member, 2015 – Present
Finance Committee Member, 2018 – Present

Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 41
Member, 2005 – Present
Lodge 41 President, 2007 – 2011
Chair of Annual Charity Golf Tournament, 2009
Lodge 41 Vice President, 2006 – 2007


Special Recognition and Training

FBI National Academy
Selected to attend and graduated from the 277th session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA

Law Enforcement Officer of the Year
Recipient of a 2002 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award for outstanding public service presented by The Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce.


Community Interest and Service

  • Member of Church of the Highlands: Birmingham, AL
  • Volunteer Coach for 10u Tomahawks Girls Fast Pitch Softball Organization 
  • Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Alabama:  Lead Fundraiser for 2004 and 2005

Competencies/Interests

Alabama Peace Officer’s Standards and Training Commission, Certified.

Drager Breath Instrument, Certified (2001-2009)

Narcotics Detection Dog, Certified (2003-2008)

  • North American Police Working Dog Association
  • National Narcotic Detector Dog Association

Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences DWI Instructor

Federal Bureau of Investigation Instructor Development

Skilled with the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point.

Prepared a research study entitled, Getting Tough on Drugs is Tough on Prisons


Presentations

Emergency Preparedness and Response, January 2015

A classroom presentation that prepared security officers of Kenya Relief.Org in Migori, Kenya for a potential emergency management situation, and created thought provoking dialogue on being ready with a quick and efficient response to a potential crisis situation.

  • Utilized a self-developed PowerPoint presentation as a visual aid

Officer Survival: Mentally Winning, October 2005

Prepared officers to be mentally prepared for a in the line of duty critical incident and how to mentally survive once the incident has ended.

  • Utilized a self developed PowerPoint Presentation as a visual aid. 
  • Encouraged class participation for an open forum and discussion.

Detection Dog Training, May 2005

Presented informational session that gave officers basic working knowledge of how the detection canine operates, and what is expected of the officer once he or she calls for the services of a detection canine. 

  • The objective of this presentation was to increase the proficiency of the patrol officer when the canine officer is utilized on routine narcotics searches. 
  • Utilized a self developed PowerPoint Presentation as a visual aid. 
  • Encouraged class participation for an open forum and discussion.

Standardized Field Sobriety Test Instruction, February 2009

Presented and instructed curriculum developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Driving Under the Influence detection.

The goal of this instruction is to:

  • Enhance the officer’s ability to detect someone who is operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol
  • Increase the officer’s proficiency in administering the standardized field sobriety tests
  • Increase the officers rate of successful prosecution of DUI offenders through instruction in field sobriety tests and instruction in courtroom testimony