Neal Kelley on National Police Week - Committee for Safe and Secure Elections

In recognition of National Police Week and the upcoming 2024 election cycle, we sat down with Neal Kelley, CSSE Chairman, former San Bernardino Police Officer and Riverside County Deputy Sheriff, to recognize the work of law enforcement officers and the sacrifices they make, including their contribution to keeping our elections safe and secure.

Can you describe your current or past role in law enforcement?

For a combined total of six years, I served as a police officer (patrol, vice, special detail) for the San Bernardino Police Department and later served as a Deputy Sheriff (patrol and court services) for the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

With respect to your law enforcement experience and role as a member of CSSE, why do you think it is important that our elections are free, fair, and secure?

Elections are the cornerstone of democracy and are likewise the fabric of a stable and healthy democracy. Without truly free, fair, and properly run elections, society would fragment and eventually lead to chaos.

If you have also served as an election official, how does your law enforcement experience inform or influence that work?

Serving in law enforcement influenced my work as an election official a great deal, perhaps similar to how military experience might influence one’s work. It provided me with the tools to handle difficult circumstances, increased my awareness of security issues, and assisted me in addressing criminal complaints related to elections.

What value have you observed in partnerships between law enforcement and election officials? Feel free to share an example of how you have worked with election officials in your role in law enforcement.

In 2018, I decided to pause our approach to election security and created a partnership with our Sheriff’s Department and local District Attorney. The partnership still exists today. In addition, I brought our regional fusion center on board and formed a working group, which met weekly in the run-up to our major elections starting at 45 days out. At the table were the aforementioned along with DHS, the FBI, and intelligence teams from city police agencies in Orange County. From this, we were the first county in the country to produce a public election security playbook that was featured on the home page and Twitter feed for DHS. It was a game-changer for how we protected the election process in Orange County, and the impact of this partnership is still evident today.

Do you have any other thoughts that you would like to share about National Police Week?

I want to express my gratitude for people in law enforcement, I have tremendous respect for the work that they do on a daily basis to keep our communities safe, which includes assisting local election officials in many jurisdictions around the country.

Learn more about the Committee for Safe and Secure Elections here.

“Election officials are the heroes of our democracy, working harder than almost anyone I know to ensure that every one of us can exercise our fundamental right to vote. The intimidation and threats against these dedicated officials and their families must stop."

Kathy Boockvar
Vice President of Election Operations and Support, Center for Internet Security

“Democracy can only survive and thrive if we respect and protect its values and principles. Elected officials must respect those they serve, freely act within their elected authority and act on behalf of a nation that ensures their safety so they may make decisions without fear or intimidation. That is a true democracy."

Sheriff Paul Penzone
Maricopa County, Arizona

“Access to the ballot should not be stymied in any manner, nor should we ever lose valuable election officials because they are worn down from harassment, fear, threats and undue job hardships created to alter public faith in the electoral process. "

Kathy Holland
Director of Elections, Alamance County North Carolina (Ret.)
“I joined the committee because I took an oath, along with my law enforcement colleagues, to protect and serve all persons, which is in alignment with my personal values and morals. "

Captain Harold Love
Michigan State Police (Ret.), Owner and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Harold J. Love & Associates

“The 2020 election cycle brought many challenges for election officials, but the most shocking for me were the death threats, verbal assaults, intimidation, and scare tactics. I am one of the election officials that had my life and the lives of my family members threatened, and the threats have not ceased."

Tina Barton
Senior Elections Expert, The Elections Group

“My dad was a city clerk. Elections were a central and cherished part of his job. I joined this committee to ensure that today’s election officials can keep America’s elections running safely and securely, just like he did."

Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian
Middlesex County, Massachusetts
“Election officials are unsung heroes of American democracy—they make sure our system operates as intended. Threats to these public servants are an attack on democracy itself. Law enforcement and election officials working together can help chart a safer and more secure path forward for future elections."

Orion Danjuma
Counsel, Protect Democracy

“Safe, secure, transparent elections are the cornerstone of our democracy. CSSE members recognize the great responsibility associated with election administration and embrace public accountability to ensure that all eligible voters can freely exercise their right to vote and have their ballots counted. We make it a point to welcome and encourage those who want to peacefully observe this fundamental democratic process."

Neal Kelley
Registrar of Voters (Ret.) Orange County, California

“As an election official who experienced the verbal threats and intimidation directed at me and my staff I feel I must be a voice on this committee to work with law enforcement to address this issue."

Joseph Gloria
Registrar of Voters, Clark County, Nevada
“Election workers are the guardians of our democracy, and attacks on them for doing their jobs are unacceptable. I’m proud to stand with and in support of this group of law enforcement and election officials, who are working on practical solutions to keep our elections safe and secure."

Larry Norden
Senior Director, Elections & Government, Brennan Center for Justice

“I have joined this committee because I believe in the mission and have full confidence that we will develop practices that are results driven and further strengthen the pipeline between law enforcement and election officials."

Derek Bowens
Director of Elections, Durham County, North Carolina