Lehigh County Sheriff Joseph N. Hanna announced his candidacy for reelection.

Hanna, now in his 44th consecutive year in law enforcement, expressed his passion to continue serving the residents of Lehigh County.

He had a distinguished 34-year career with Allentown Police Department, rising to the rank of chief of police, and then transitioned to the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office as a county detective before running for sheriff.

Hanna said he has brought many professional accomplishments to the sheriff’s office since being elected sheriff in 2015.

He is most proud of the sheriff’s office attaining Pennsylvania state accreditation April 8, 2021, following an arduous process that began in 2017.

This landmark established the Lehigh County Sheriff’s Office among the less than 10% of law enforcement agencies throughout the commonwealth that have achieved this distinction.

During his first two terms, Hanna managed a number of upgrades, including computer and software additions and a records management system that monitors daily accounting and the high volume of legal and civil process in the sheriff’s office.

He practices a checks-and-balances system for the sheriff’s office and works in conjunction with the county controller and fiscal offices in completing internal audits.

Hanna enhanced the security and safety in both courthouses and the Lehigh County Government Center. These improvements include updated security camera and monitoring systems that assist in screening all those who occupy and enter county facilities.

He secured hundreds of thousands of dollars in grant funding to offset these equipment purchases.

Hanna also established professional uniforms and modernized safety and equipment for sheriff deputies.

He instituted an ongoing training program for all sheriff’s office personnel, including deputies, security personnel and administrative staff, which includes a structured field training program for deputies. Training for the entire staff includes the most up-to-date best practices and standards in law enforcement.

In 2017, he instituted a K-9 program, which includes a scent-detection dog certified in explosives and other odors and is used for safety and security in county facilities and properties. The K-9 program has proved to be widely popular with residents and employees of the county.

Hanna and personnel throughout the sheriff’s office are active throughout Lehigh County, offering outreach programs and events to neighborhood and crime watch groups, schools and churches. Sheriff’s personnel are routinely present at other public and social events.

Hanna said “there is more work to be done,” and he is enthusiastic about continuing that work with residents and county government in continuing the mission, vision and core values of the Lehigh County Sheriff’s Office.