GREENFIELD — Matt Holland never had any doubts about what he wanted to be when he grew up.
“The whole time I knew I wanted to be a police officer; that was never an issue for me,” said Holland, who grew up in Fortville before moving to Greenfield.
Now, the longtime Greenfield Police Department officer is taking a step back from some of his roles at the department to make a run for public office. Holland is a candidate in the Republican primary for District 3 Hancock County commissioner. Bill Spalding is also a candidate. (A story about Spalding appeared in the Tuesday, Feb. 12, edition of the Daily Reporter.)
After graduating from Greenfield-Central and obtaining a degree in criminal justice from IUPUI, Holland was hired by GPD as a reserve officer in 1998 and has been there ever since.
Until recently, he served as the department’s deputy chief and public information officer. He has stepped down from those positions, which he said was partially because he wanted to run for office. He said he also wanted to return to working as a shift supervisor who works closely with uniformed officers every day.
“You kind of start looking at your career in a different light once you get to that 20-year mark and know that you’re looking at the back half of your career,” Holland said. “I’m content with what I’ve accomplished as far as my personal accomplishments go as a police officer. I looked back and I decided that, now that I’ve served in all these different capacities in the police department, I want to go back to what I enjoy the most.”
Holland now lives near New Palestine and is a member of the Sugar Creek Township Board. He said the experience has helped him learn more about how government works and he hopes being elected as county commissioner would give him an even greater opportunity to serve the community.
“I think a lot of times, police officers in general are drawn to public service. We just kind of have that mindset,” Holland said. “As time went on during my career, I felt a need to serve in a different capacity.”
He also grew up with a grandfather who was a member of the Fishers town council, which he said sparked an initial interest in local office.
“I was around it, so it always interested me from a very young age. I think he was on their town board for about 30 years,” Holland said. “I think that’s what planted the seed, as far as that option to serve.”
Bob Boyer, the Sugar Creek Township trustee, said he has enjoyed working with Holland. He described Holland as a personable, friendly member of the board who has dedicated a lot of effort to learn about the township and ask good questions.
“I think he’s a very industrious young man,” Boyer said.
In a countywide office, Holland said, he would hope to be a voice for residents from all parts of Hancock County. (Commissioners represent districts, but they are elected countywide.)
“I have friendships and an interest in three different communities in the county,” he said. “I feel like I’d be able to effect positive change in multiple parts of the community that I have ties to.”
Holland said his priorities as a commissioner would be to build communication among municipal governments in the county, to make sure the construction of the new jail stays on course and within budget, and supporting infrastructure and economic development.
His background as a law enforcement officer, he said, would also inform his perspective, particularly on issues like mental health treatment and the construction of the new jail.
“I’ve had my hand in those issues for several years now on the law enforcement side of things, so I feel like I could have a valuable insight,” he said.
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Age: 41
Party: Republican
Office sought: County commissioner
Political experience: Two years on Sugar Creek Township Board
Family: Wife Becky, two children
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The Daily Reporter is presenting profiles of candidates whose names will appear on the primary ballot for county offices. These stories will run periodically over the coming weeks leading up to the primary election on May 5.
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