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Glenn Dale resident Darryl Morgan, a retired Maryland State Trooper, will announce Monday he plans to run for the office of Prince George's County sheriff in the November 2010 election.

"I'm passionate about law enforcement," said Morgan, 48. "Law enforcement is in my blood for some reason. I don't know a lot about county politics, but I know a lot about law."

Morgan said his 21-year career in law enforcement — as a Maryland State Trooper, deputy chief for the District of Columbia Protective Services Police Department and director of public safety for the District of Columbia Public Library system — brings a different perspective to the table.

"I want to work for my community," said Morgan, who has lived nearly his entire life in the county. "I have a wider view, a variety of experience."

The county's current sheriff, Michael Jackson, who has been rumored to be planning a run for Prince George's county executive in 2010, said this week he has not decided whether he will again run for a third term as sheriff.

Sgt. Mario Ellis, spokesman for the Prince George's County Sheriff's Office, said a couple of retired Maryland State Troopers are rumored to be running for the Office of the Sheriff, but he was unable to confirm candidate names.

Jackson said the economy will be a major challenge for candidates for the sheriff because of budget and personnel cuts, which are a result of current state of the economy.

Building relationships with county officials — the county executive, the County Council and the Maryland General Assembly – in addition to community groups is essential, Jackson said.

"Community groups certainly [are important]," he said. "They serve as your advocates to ensure your agency receives the resources that are necessary."

Jackson said that when he came into office in 2002, he increased the number of deputies from about 150 to more 250. He said all but one deputy and all but nearly five civilians have received promotions since he became sheriff, and those who weren't promoted were unable to receive promotions based on their current job levels.

Morgan said he plans to kick off his campaign Monday, focusing on a grassroots approach of knocking on doors and attending meetings for homeowners, churches and civic and business associations.

Morgan said that while the sheriff's office is currently more involved with civil affairs, including the courts, domestic violence and child services, he wants to increase the office's involvement with public safety and is formulating a plan to do more to protect residents.

Morgan hopes to create joint task forces that share resources and similar missions to better serve the public.

"I've worked for all these other [Maryland counties] — there's so much missing from this county," Morgan said. "My passion is for public service. [I] believe I can make a difference – I believe in results."

Morgan is married to Schaun Morgan, 48, and is a father to daughter, Mishon, 12; son, Zachery, 16; and stepson, Ryan White, 26.

Michael Thomas, 55, of Clinton worked with Morgan as a Maryland State Trooper and said he is a man of integrity and the right person for the job.

"He wants to serve his community," Thomas said. "He's really a down-to-Earth person, very family-oriented. He wants to better the community, and he thinks he can be the one to bring the sheriff's department into the new millennium of law enforcement."

Morgan graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a degree in criminology and began his career in law enforcement in 1988 as a Maryland State Trooper, retiring in 2000 as a sergeant.

He served as deputy chief for the District of Columbia Protective Services Police Department from 2002 to 2008 and was the director of public safety for the District of Columbia Public Library system until April.

In 1999, Morgan founded the home improvement remodeling business Morgan Residential Contracting.

Neighbor James Janifer, 52, described Morgan as someone with determination.

"He can relate to people, all types of people," Janifer said. "I believe he comes across as a person that is very straight-forth, doesn't beat around the bush. He tells you like it is — he's an ambitious person. He puts his mind to something and gets it done."

E-mail Liz Skalski at eskalski@gazette.net.