WHAT ARE YOUR QUALIFICATIONS AND INTERESTS FOR BEING SHERIFF?

I’m currently a Sergeant with the Portage County Sheriff’s Office.  I supervise the Patrol Deputies, the Corrections Division and the Communication Center.  I began my career as a Military Police Officer in the United States Army 30 years ago.  I have worked in central Wisconsin communities and I have progressed through my career working as a Deputy, Police Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant and Jail Administrator.   I have experienced duties as Officer Friendly, Traffic Safety/Crime Prevention Officer, Neighborhood Watch, Apartment Watch, Special Response Team Leader, Law Enforcement Instructor, managed/supervised the Clark County Jail Facility and Communication Center and managed/supervised the Mosinee Police Department.  I assisted in the planning and design of the Clark County Jail and for the last 15 years I have dedicated myself to the residents of Portage County.

I have proven experience and leadership in law enforcement and as the President of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association, which is the largest police organization in the state that serves just under 10,000 members.  In May 2014, I was re-elected to a third term as President by our 27 member Board of Directors.

I decided to run for the Office of Sheriff because there is a need for leadership with vision, as we move forward as a community and county. We need continue to provide excellent service in light of tighter budgets, being asked to do more with less while maintaining order and staying focused on public safety issues.  Only through the right experience and leadership will we be successful.

PORTAGE COUNTY IS VIEWED AS A LEADER IN THE STATE REGARDING ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION.  WHAT IS YOUR VIEW ON ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION AND HAVE YOU PARTICIPATED IN THESE EFFORTS?

We have inmates that benefit from counseling, mentoring programs, re-training and education.  Through an appropriate screening process this system can be effective to balance the needs of the victim(s) along with community protection.  Portage County inmates are given the option of participating in various treatment options including AODA, anger management, critical thinking and a Jail Chaplaincy Program.  Portage County provides educational opportunities in partnership with Mid-State Technical College to allow inmates to test for their High School Equivalency Diploma.   As the Jail Administrator in Clark County I was actively involved in these same types of programs and will continue to support them as sheriff.

THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE HAS MANY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES SUPPORTED BY A 10 MILLION DOLLAR BUDGET.  HELP US UNDERSTAND THE MAJOR EXPENSES OF THE OFFICE AND YOUR EXPERTISE.

The Sheriff has a great responsibility to manage and lead the Sheriff’s Office in providing service to the community and maintaining public safety.  Over 78% of our annual budget is personnel costs which include the Patrol Division, Support Services, Records Division, Communication Center, Corrections Division and Court Services.    Another 13% is contracted services such as jail housing, E911 services and inmate food service.  The remaining 8% of the budget is used on supplies and equipment which includes vehicle fuel costs which have increased substantially in the last few years.  My experience comes from managing and supervising the budgets of the Communications/Corrections Division for the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, the budget for the Mosinee Police Department and the Wisconsin Professional Police Association which has an annual budget of 3.2 million dollars.

IS CYBER CRIME COMMON IN PORTAGE COUNTY?  HOW DOES THE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATE IT AND ASSIST VICTIMS?

The Portage County Sheriff’s Office has committed a Detective and a Detective Sergeant that are trained in specialized computer equipment to assist in investigating online crimes. This includes investigating child predators that use the internet, cell phones and social media sites to prey on children. While investigating these crimes the sheriff’s office collaborates and uses the resources of (ICAC) Internet Crimes Against Children task force, (NCMEC) National Center for Missing and Exploited Children along with all other law enforcement agencies.  The sheriff’s office will continue to educate victims and parents about online safety and possible dangers.