LinkedIn

Ballotpedia, Mike Knox (Texas)

Mike is from Houston and attended Westbury High School. He holds an associate's degree from Houston Community College and a bachelor's degree in general studies from the University of Houston-Downtown. He is married to his wife, Helen, with whom he has 1 son, who passed away in 2020, and 2 grandchildren. He previously served as Spring Branch Management District's director of community service and as a former president of Yupon Estates Homeowners Association. 

Mike owns a consulting and training services organization, Cutting Edge Communications. He previously worked as a police officer nad investigator with the Houston Police Department (HPD). He also held positions as a Patrol Officer, Dispatcher, Juvenile Investigator, General Investigator, and Gang Investigator with the HPD. He served as a Sergeant with the US Air Force for 4 years. He is also a founding board member of The Texas Gang Investigators Association. 

Mike Knox previously served as a member of the Houston City Council. He was elected to this position in 2015 and served for 2 full terms. He also served as a director of the Houston Police Union and as chairperson of the Houston Police Union's Legislative Committee. 

Candidate website

COMMUNITY IMPACT, Q&A: Meet the candidates for Harris County sheriff

Believes public safety should be the top priority.

Believes transparency is important to build trust between law enforcement and the public, saying, "I will work closely with the faith-based communities and citizen action groups to develop a responsive, transparent communication model."

Plans to work with local, state, and federal leaders to maximize regional responses to crime.

Promises to "be the people’s voice for public safety at commissioners’ court."

Promises to protect the safety of Harris County residents.

Promises to "do his best" to protect the safety of County residents. 

- Holds public safety as his top priority.
- Believes transparency is important to build trust between law enforcement and the public, saying, "I will work closely with the faith-based communities and citizen action groups to develop a responsive, transparent communication model."
- Plans to work with local, state, and federal leaders to maximize regional responses to crime.
- Promises to "be the people’s voice for public safety at commissioners’ court."
- Promises to "do his best" to protect the safety of County residents. 

Public Safety

Facebook

Said regarding the Harris County Jail from an article 1 year ago "Nothing has changed. The Jail is still in disarray, inmates and employees are still at risk.  Harris County desperately needs a new Sheriff. One with the vision and will to fix the jail!"

Supports ensuring safety for County jail staff.

Plans to make efforts to establish competitive pay and enhance continuing education standards and department promotions for county jail staff.

- Said regarding the Harris County Jail from an article 1 year ago "Nothing has changed. The Jail is still in disarray, inmates and employees are still at risk.  Harris County desperately needs a new Sheriff. One with the vision and will to fix the jail!"
- Supports ensuring safety for County jail staff.
- Plans to make efforts to establish competitive pay and enhance continuing education standards and department promotions for county jail staff.

Jail Management

Promises to make fair, reasoned, and fact-based decisions.

Promises his decisions will be "fair, and based in reason, logic, and fact."

Plans to focus on addressing human and drug trafficking.

As a police officer, created the Houston Police Department's first divisional gang unit.

As a police officer, created the Houston Police Department's first divisional gang unit in 1998. 

- Promises his decisions will be "fair, and based in reason, logic, and fact."
- Plans to focus on addressing human and drug trafficking.
- As a police officer, created the Houston Police Department's first divisional gang unit in 1998. 

Criminal Justice

Twitter

Mike Knox

Mike Knox is a native Houstonian who attended Westbury High School. He married his high school sweetheart, Helen, in 1977, and they have a son who served in the Houston Police Department until his death in 2020. Mike and Helen are also grandparents of two.

Mike Knox is a certified retired Texas Peace Officer who served in the Houston Police Department, where he worked as a Patrol Officer, Dispatcher, Juvenile Investigator, General Investigator, and Gang Investigator. He was a founding board member of The Texas Gang Investigators Association and responsible for creating the Houston Police Department's first Divisional Gang Unit. He also operated an independent consulting business from 1995 to 2015 and has been a Houston City Council Member At-Large since 2015.

Mike Knox was elected to the Houston City Council in 2015, holding the office of At-Large Position One, and was re-elected in 2019. He served as a Director of the Houston Police Union and was the Chairman of the Legislative Committee. Knox is running for Sheriff of Harris County in 2024.

Served in the United States Air Force from 1975 to 1979.

As a police officer, he created the first Divisional Gang Unit in the Houston Police Department in 1988.

Said, "...It is high time public safety is priority number one in Harris County and that will be my mission as Harris County Sheriff."

As a Houston Police Department officer, Mike graduated from HPD Class 90 in 1980.

The candidate's website says they are a "Published Author/Expert on Gang and Youth Violence."

As a gang investigator, Knox authored "Gangsta in the House," a book that led to a career as a consultant for schools, law enforcement, and communities across North America.

Believes in "cleaning up and certifying" the jail.

Respects differing opinions and maintains professional relationships by focusing on policy discussions and avoiding personal attacks.

Harris

Texas

Sheriff

Wants to "Clean Up and Certify the Jail". 