David J. Scales, Sr. announces his candidacy for the office of Sheriff for Susquehanna County as a Democrat.
David is 57 years old and was born and raised in Susquehanna Borough. He attended St. John’s Grade School, Laurel Hill Academy and graduated from Susquehanna Community High School.
David and his wife Carol (Brown) have been married for 37 years and have raised 4 children and now have 7 grand children and the eighth arriving in July.
David has spent his entire life working in public service, starting as professional ambulance attendant/EMT; 10 years with the PA Dept. of Agriculture Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement and 20 years with the Borough of Susquehanna Depot Police Dept.,
David started as a part-time police officer in 1980 and continued full time until his retirement on February 01, 2001. In 1999 David was appointed Chief of Police.
David has maintained an extensive educational background in emergency medical services and law enforcement.
*New York State Dept. of Health and Broom Co Medical Service:
EMT-A, EMT-4, Pre Hospital Critical Care Technician, Emergency Cardiac Care
Technician.
*Attending the Lackawanna Junior College, ACT 120 Municipal Police Officers Education Training Commission Course: Certified as a Police Officer
*Lucerne County Community College: Accident Reporting, Evidence Collection *Luzerne County Community College: Advanced Criminal Investigation, III.
*Pa. State Bureau of Corrections: Basic Security Awareness Program;
*Pa. Dept. of Transportation: Advanced Accident Investigation and Reporting
*PA Coalition Against Domestic Violence: Violence/Crisis Intervention.
*The National Safety Council: Defensive Driving Course
*Bucks County Community College & the PA State Fire Academy:
Emergency Vehicle Driver Training
*United States Dept. of Justice: Narcotics & Dangerous Drug Enforcement
*Commonwealth of PA Office of Attorney General: Drug Investigation and Arrest
*University of North Florida, Institute of Police Technology and Management: Advanced Drug Investigation
*Marywood College, Scranton, Pa.: Kinesic Interview Techniques,
*Marywood College, Scranton, Pa.: Advanced Kinesic Interview Technique.
*Commonwealth of PA, Dept. of Education: Chemical Tests for Intoxication Training Program, Breath Testing Device-Operator certified.
*Commonwealth of Pa. Commission of Criminal Justice: Certified as a Constable
*Becton Dickinson Public Safety: Narcotics Screening and Identification of Street Drug Testing.
*Systems Innovations, Hallstead, PA: Excessive Speed Preventor, speed-timing device.
*Commonwealth Dept. of Health: Emergency Medical Technician.
David has received several letters of commendations and awards:
*Office of the District Attorney, Susquehanna Co., Jeffrey B. Snyder, District Attorney – for drug investigation;
*Commonwealth of PA, Office of Attorney General, and Thomas W. Corbett, Jr.: Outstanding service to the people of the Commonwealth of PA for drug investigations and arrests.
*David was admitted to the Police Hall of Frame, Miami, FL: Received the outstanding accommodation award.
*David received the Fireman of the Year award from the Susquehanna Fire Dept. in 1973 for the saving of a Child from a Burning Building on Christmas Eve morning 1972
During his years as a police officer he has successfully conducted numerous investigations resulting in the arrests and convictions of several persons for various crimes. During that time he has had a close working relationship with the other police agencies including Federal, State, Municipal and County. He has worked closely with the State Police on several joint investigations, the County offices of Children & Youth Services, Probation/Parole Dept., Sheriff Dept., District Attorney, Coroner, Domestic Relations, and Emergency Management. Because of his intensive work in drug investigations and related crimes he has worked with numerous agencies from other States as well as the including the U. S. Dept. of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), United States Marshall’s Service, United States Customs Service, United States Border Patrol and United States Dept. of Defense and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. He has had an exceptionally close and successful working relationship with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General Bureau of Narcotics & Drug Control & Investigation. David was one of the founding members of the Susquehanna/Wayne County Drug Task Force. Serving in the capacity as Street Supervisor, and Vice President and sat on the Board of Chiefs. In additions to his normal duties with the Susquehanna Borough Police Dept. he also was also responsible for the annual budget and scheduling of staff, supervising fellow officers, equipment repair and replacement, local and State reports of the departments activities, as well as community relations.
David has been a member of the Susquehanna Fire Dept. and Ambulance for over 30 years. He is an active member of the Fraternal Order of Police, Northeast Lodge #63; also the Strider-Teskey, Post 86 American Legion, home association. And is 3rd degree member of the Susquehanna Council 323, Knights of Columbus and St. John The Evangelist Catholic Church. Susquehanna, Pa.
Based on his education, training and 20 years of dedicated service to his community as a police officer makes David well qualified to be elected Susquehanna County Sheriff.
The Office of Sheriff is not a training ground. When you take the oath of Office for Sheriff you must know the job and not learn it as you go.
During the several years that Dick Pelicci has been Sheriff for Susquehanna County he has established and maintained a well run department. Some candidates have expressed the idea of expanding the duties and responsibilities of the Sheriff Dept. to parallel that of a police department by advancing the education and qualifications of the personal to make them certified as full fledge police officers and then conduct police type activities. Although that idea has merit under certain circumstances, given the situation the County Commissioners find themselves in regarding the budge and tax increases, it certainly is not financially feasible for the County in the forceible future. My vision for the Sheriff Dept. would be to maintain the existing operational system and personnel and expand upon the unique opportunities available to the Sheriff and Deputies in crime prevention and education, especially among our Senior Citizens. To work with and support the County School Officials in the problems facing our Schools today. To re-establish with the School Districts, PTA and other groups along with State and Local Police the Child Find Program, to fingerprint and still and video photograph Pre School and any child in the County. To work closely with other County agencies, such as, District Attorney, C&Y, Probation/Parole, Coroner DR as well at the Pa. State Police and Municipal Police Dept in the investigation crimes and offences and apprehension of offenders. As Susquehanna County Sheriff I will be available to all the residence at any time day or night by phone. I feel that the Sheriff is not an 8:00 to 4:00 Job. That is how I approach Police work as I did while working on the job as a Susquehanna Police Officer.