Richard "Rick" Watson
St. Clair County Sheriff
618-277-3505

richard.watson@co.st-clair.il.us

• Sheriff Watson is from the Chicago area
• Graduate Eastern Illinois University
• Graduate Masters Degree Program at Lindenwood University
• Taught 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
• Graduate FBI Academy in Quantico, VA
• Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis-Executive Board Member
• Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board Executive Member
• Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Former Chairman
• Awarded the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board Chairman Award-March 2015
• Illinois Department of Corrections Board Member
• Mobile Training Unit #14-Board Member
• 911 Board Chairman
• Metro East Police Commission Board Member
• Awarded the Illinois State Bar Association Law Enforcement Award 2014
• 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 enhancing roadways and communities by removing trash and debris
• Reestablished the D.A.R.E program in St. Clair County in 2012
• Redirected community patrols and implemented pro-active patrol card program
• Implemented the “Vacation Home Check”
• Married to wife Janice over 29 years, 3 children, 7 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren
• Active member of Holy Family Catholic Church, Cahokia, IL
• Dedicated to our youth because they are our future