Sheriff Richard Watson
Sheriff
St Clair County SD
St Clair County SD
700 North 5th Street
Belleville, IL 62221
Phone: (618) 277-3505Belleville, IL 62221
- Sheriff Watson is from the Chicago area
- Attended Eastern Illinois University
- Masters Degree Program completed May 2014
- Taught and coached at Cahokia High School
- Began his law enforcement career in 1978 in Cahokia, IL under the guidance of the then Chief Mearl Justus
- Retired as Chief of Police in Cahokia in 2011
- Attended FBI Academy in Quantico, VA
- Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis-Executive Board Member
- Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board Member
- Department of Corrections Advisory Board Member
- Mobile Training Unit #14-Board Member
- 911 Board Chairman
- Awarded the Illinois State Bar Association Law Enforcement Award – May 29, 2014
- Awarded the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board Chairman Award – March 2015
- Addressing the overcrowded jail and the need for the jail expansion
- Established St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department Scared Straight Program. A program to deter “HIGH RISK” youths from becoming part of the Criminal Justice System.
- Implementation of the Business/Residence and well being checks for St. Clair County community.
- Reestablished and enhanced the St. Clair County Neighborhood Watch Program.
- Enhanced the Inmate Rehabilitation Program in St. Clair County whereby roadways are removed of trash and debris and the St. Clair County Parks was improved.
- Reestablished the D.A.R.E program in St. Clair County
- Redirected community patrols and implemented pro-active patrol card program
- Implemented the “Vacation Home Check”
- Married to wife Janice over 26 years, 3 children, 7 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren
