Portsmouth police group backs challenger for sheriff

Posted to: News Portsmouth
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By Matthew Bowers
The Virginian-Pilot
© May 8, 2009

PORTSMOUTH

Doug Funkhouser, a police homicide detective challenging incumbent Sheriff Bill Watson in the June 9 Democratic primary, has won the endorsement of the local chapter of the Police Benevolent Association.

"It means a lot to me to have it," Funkhouser said Thursday.

He's a member and past president of the Southeast Chapter of the PBA, which includes South Hampton Roads.

Jason Knorowski, president of the chapter and of the statewide PBA, said Watson didn't attend interviews with the candidates Saturday, saying he had a conflict.

Watson, who is in his first term, said he went to the screening site Saturday afternoon after attending a charity event, but no PBA members were there.

Knorowski said the PBA also interviewed David L. Cherry, who has registered for the general election as an independent candidate.

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?!?

Submitted by steve military on Mon, 09/13/2010 at 8:23 pm.

Until the known crooked cops are managed (fired, jailed, publicized) I can never trust PPD.
Jason KNorowski, bisides the lies that I know of, went into court, swore to tell the "the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth"..then when confronted with the real truth we say he "lacked truthfullness"..Who is to blame?
We know that Mr knorowski is a liar, but what of the judge?..what of the police commissioner that keeps him on the force?
A known liar is a genital wart on the genitilia that portsmouth has become.. Shame on you all!

HELP I HAVE ?s

Submitted by UNHEARD VOICES on Fri, 05/15/2009 at 10:45 pm.

The best way to know how a man will handle thing in the future is to look at what he has been though in the past.

From his webpage

William "Bill" Watson was elected as the City of Portsmouth's Sheriff in November of 2005, and assumed office on January 1, 2006. He has over 18 years of law enforcement experience. His education and training include his certification from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, past Field Training Officer and General Instructor, as well as attendance in numerous other local and state law enforcement training programs.
Sheriff Watson was born and raised in the City of Portsmouth, graduated from Cradock High School in 1965, is a Past President of the Highland Biltmore Civic League, Retired from the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in 1990, and is a certified diver with 27 years of experience in search and rescue.

Wow! 18 years of law enforcement. Was he a meter maid (bad), beat cop(GOOD), or detective(GOOD)? How bad people are mad of him for putting them in jail?

Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services certification sounds impressive. Can anyone explain what this is? I know that the military has a lot of certifications.

pauly walnuts

Submitted by ring442 on Sun, 05/10/2009 at 10:28 pm.

I'm not trying to dog the PPD because I think they do a good job. I also think the PSD does a good job. The main point of my comment is it has been City Council and legislators like Lucas that has screwed the City and the PPD. How many pay raises did you get in the last 4 years? Council only started talking pay raise for PPD during last years election cycle. When and if the City ever decides to help the people that pay the freight instead of attracting gang bangers and tax burdens all of Public Safety will be better off. Until that day comes PPD and taxpayers should concentrate on getting a new Council and State Reps whose goal should be to make Portsmouth a desireable place to live.

Sheriff election

Submitted by unsworn on Sun, 05/10/2009 at 4:08 pm.

To "just asking", don't try to figure out PPD's "good ol' boy" politics. I don't know this Funkhouser person(I'm not in the clique) but I know Watson. He's a good man and has tried to do a good job. As to the individual that said Watson ran off Chief Corvello--look to city council for that one. Between city hall and the "good ol' boys', Chief Corvello had had enough of the BS. Seems to me like this is PPD vs. PSD just like always. Grow up, boys.

just asking

Submitted by Pauly Walnuts on Sun, 05/10/2009 at 9:26 am.

Obviously Im biased however the Republicans supposedly arent putting anyone in the Sheriffs race this year and as far as I know so far there is only one independent who may run in the November election. His problem is he has almost zero law enforcement experience, no military background and is basically just a business man who wants to be Sheriff. I once voted strictly Republican however started voting for the man not the party when, yes I can admit it, Ross Perot ran for President. Youve done your own research and I ask you to not waste your vote, Vote Funkhouser on June 9th.

ring442

Submitted by Pauly Walnuts on Sun, 05/10/2009 at 9:19 am.

I wish I was a bird so I could fly far, far far away...but thats another story...Im happy for your father in law and your friends however dogging the current police force isnt helping your cause. Due to the laws of physics they cant be everywhere all the time, that was true in the 70s as well. Maybe you havent heard but the cops can only do so much, if they could predict murders they wouldnt need jobs. Blame the lawmakers and the courts first, theyre the ones that limit what the police can do and let the criminals go with a slap on the wrist. Or you could do what a lot of people are doing...move outta there.

Sheriff

Submitted by just asking on Sat, 05/09/2009 at 9:03 pm.

I do not get it.. I just moved here from out of state about 3 months ago and I have been trying to learn about Portsmouth. To be honest the elections have my attention. Reading all the Post It seem to me people want to get involved in personal lives not in the professional side of this election, this is a law enforcement election is it not. The Sheriff now Watson,I was amazed to see that he is in the papers a lot and it is all negative, so I hit the "net" to research him. he has a long history and it is not positive. I found while he owned a company he was indicted for fraud and that this State can bring the charges back if they chose to. He was arrested for assault and then the stuff with his city.. what is the deal? should he even have a badge some one please tell me? Now this Funkhouser guy I have researched him also, he has been in law enforcement for a long time, has a Police Association endorsement and is a war veteran per his web site. He could be a breath of fresh air for the city and bring change to the Office. The problem is I am not a democrat so some one tell me why I should I try and vote in june?

local5.0

Submitted by whatup on Fri, 05/08/2009 at 9:35 pm.

Hey local5.0 you said to ask any Portsmouth Police or Deputy about the Portsmouth Sheriff. You should have said ask any neighboring city police or sheriff. The current sheriff is a liability waiting to happen. He has embarrassed Portsmouth and re-electing him will guarantee more embarrassment. Heck, he even caused Acting Chief Corvello to leave. Now if the most qualified and respected law enforcement leader in the state of Virginia can't work with the sheriff, where is the problem. So if Portsmouth wants to keep him, keep some rainy day law suit money around.

I wish

Submitted by ring442 on Fri, 05/08/2009 at 8:30 pm.

All of you cops would put as much effort in trying to get rid of City Council and Louise Lucas as you are in trying to get rid of Watson. My father-in-law is retired from PPD and I have friends that served back in the 70's. The PPD is not what it once was. Now my neighbor gets killed delivering a pizza and I get a reverse 911 call telling me to go to the middle school so I can get Gang 101. Try patroling in Churchland once in a while. Work on fixing the City first by getting rid of the gangs and free loaders then you can fight over who gets to be Sheriff.