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Q & A
If you have questions you want to posted with an answer, please e-mail Jim at jim@jimarnott.com
Q. What is your position on gun control?
A. It is the proper grip and stance, prior to firing your weapon..... Now for the serious answer, I am not in favor of gun control, except for individuals that commit a serious crime (what is restricted now by state and federal law) and persons that are mentally ill and pose a danger. I feel that guns should be in the hands of responsible citizens of the United States protected by the 2nd Amendment. I am very supportive of Concealed Carry, as it puts the citizens that are law abiding and responsible enough to be trained, the ability to protect themselves and their family. I hope that answers your question.
Q. Two of your running mates have promised people from outside of the department various jobs within the Sheriff's Department. Have you promised anyone a position or new employment within the Sheriff's department if you are elected?
A. I have not. I am quite happy with staff.
Q. What plans do you have to increase retention in the Jail Division? Turnover has been dramatic during the past four years. What do you attribute this to? Do you feel that the current level of attrition is a problem?
A. My plans to increase retention in the jail, is to make it the best working environment than it can be. There have been times that the turnover rate was dramatic; I feel that this was due to the management style of the jail director from that time period. I do feel that the current level of attrition is acceptable. In reviewing the employees that have left the department in the last year, they have left because of relocation, high paying job, career change (for betterment) or termination for cause. Nationwide statistics show the turnover rate is over 40%, in which we are not close to that. I feel that we are doing well in employee retention.
Q. Do you feel the solution to overcrowding in the jail is building?
A. I do not feel that is the sole answer. Overcrowding is due to many factors. In an illustration, the jail is the big end of the funnel in the criminal justice system. It is very easy to put a large amount of people in jail; however the prosecution and judicial system can only move them through as fast as they can, the small end of the funnel. There are many reasons for trials to be continued and prolonging the system. There have been many articles in the local media stating that statewide studies show that Greene County is 7 judges short. The Public Defender attorneys' have over 120 cases each. The prosecuting attorney is understaffed for the amount of cases they deal with currently. I do feel that we need to eventually build an additional jail; I propose a minimum security facility.
Q. What roll do you see the Sheriff playing in the reduction of the population of the jail?
A. I see the Sheriff's role as to look to new ways to alleviate the overcrowding issue. I also see that it is his responsibility to manage the jail along with best use of his resources. The bottom line is that we will always have a nearly full jail, if the other components of the criminal justice system are not properly staffed i.e. Missouri Public Defenders Office, Judges and Prosecutors. The Sheriff's Department is one component of many in the system. It takes all of us working together to make the system as efficient as possible. We have started a GPS monitored ankle bracelet program to put inmates that are low risk and cannot afford bond, out in the community working and paying taxes, not spending tax dollars.
Q. What programs do you currently support that have significantly diverted or will divert non-violent offenders from our jail population?
A. As far as non-violent offenders being diverted from the jail population, the courts have several community service diversion programs. We have drug court, DWI court, which are both recognized nationally for their success. We have been utilized as a model in reference to these programs. We have just started the GPS ankle bracelet program, which I believe will be successful, however it is in the early stages.
Q. How comfortable are you with the current level of leadership in the jail's administration? Do you plan on reorganization in this division?
A. I feel very comfortable with the current jail administration. I do not plan reorganization in the jail. If we were allotted the 31 Correctional Officers that I feel we are short. I would then do some reorganization to make the operation more efficient. I would do this with the Jail Administration, making decisions based on their opinions and review of the operation.
Q. Do you feel the jail is being managed according to its designed management philosophy?
A. I do not feel that the jail is managed according to its designed management philosophy. The reasons are several. The jail was designed to utilize the proper classification system, based on having the correct number of correctional officers in the facility. As I have stated that we are 31 correctional officers under budgeted. A goal in the facility is to maintain proper control in a safe manner. I do not feel that we can sacrifice officer and inmate safety based on the complete philosophy of direct supervision. The pods are designed to have approx 72 inmates, with two officers in each pod. Today we had 115 in a pod, with sometimes one officer. Proper staffing is an issue to be able to accommodate the complete philosophy. The other part of direct supervision is that your inmates should be properly classified. When your facility is over capacity, you must balance your numbers per correctional officers in housing units. Otherwise you would have 40 inmates in one pod and over 100 in others. These are just a few items regarding direct supervision and the modifications we have had to make to function safely for staff and proper protection of the inmates.
Q. What is your opinion of the Springfield Police Department and the Greene County Sheriff's office going metro?
A. I have several different opinions on this, depending on how it was structured. I feel that the Office of Sheriff is very important. I think the top law enforcement official of the county should be the choice of the people. I also feel that it is important to be able to vote that Sheriff out if he is not doing the will of the county voters.
I also feel that a metro department would be very beneficial for deputies, as they would rise to a higher pay and possibly a better retirement and benefits package. The downside is the "people" do not get to choose the Chief or Police Commissioner, it is usually an appointed position and it is a gamble if you get the right one. I have many ranking friends in metro departments across the country. The ones that started as deputies for an elected sheriff, advises that there is not the same level of "customer service", as the county police have turned to the mentality of policing only.
In reference to the financial impact on the community, the deputies would require a substantial raise some as much as $10,000 to over $20,000 depending on the rank. It is also my understanding the Springfield Police Department would have to receive a raise also. I do not see a financial saving, I feel it would be more money spent, just a shell game of where the money was allocated.
With all that said, I would not be closed minded to the concept or discussion of it, I have seen it work in many areas of the country. If I were elected Sheriff, I would do what I think is best for the entire county which would include the municipal agencies. I think my record speaks for itself, the willingness and desire to work with all of the agencies in the county and providing as much manpower and financial assistance to them whenever possible by providing computers and assistance needed on projects or investigations. I would never support doing away with the county sheriff, but would be open to the discussion of a metro agency
Q. Is it your plan to get rid of the Reserve Program?
A. Absolutely not. My plans are not only to continue the Sheriff's reserve program, but to develop it even better for the reserve officers as well as for the Department and the community we serve. The Sheriff's Department faces a manpower shortfall each year and the reserve program makes an integral contribution to providing law enforcement serves to the citizen's of Greene County. Don't forget, I started my law enforcement career as a Greene County reserve deputy so I understand first-hand the significant role that reserve officers play in accomplishing the mission of the Department.
Q. Do you plan on removing deputy sheriff commissions from outside agencies that have them now?
A. I do not. Greene County Sheriff's Department commissions given to officers who are members of outside police agencies are important to providing law enforcement services to every person in Greene County. However, if there is a member of an outside agency who possesses a commission that acts in a manner that is unbecoming a Greene County deputy, that behavior would be reviewed and an appropriate remedy would be determined
Q. Do you plan on changing the Sheriffs department's structure?
A. At this point I have no plans to do so. But as a police administrator, I should always be looking for ways in which to operate the Department in a manner that would best serve the people of Greene County and assist the G.C.S.D. staff in doing their jobs. Of course, this would be accomplished by consultation and strategizing with the division commanders and other leaders throughout the Department.
Q. How do you feel about deputies working traffic enforcement on the major highways in Greene County?
A. I do not feel that traffic enforcement on those major roads is a primary mission of the G.C.S.D. I believe that deputies should enforce all of the laws of the State of Missouri, which is stated in the oath that deputies swear to uphold. I believe we need to focus our efforts where crime is taking place; statistic based policing "Putting our resources where the problems are". Having said this, I believe it is appropriate for deputies to concentrate on major roads in Greene County when working special projects, such as Grant Funded traffic enforcement, DWI Task Force and Underage drinking grants, to name a few.
Q. What is your opinion on deputies working inside the Springfield City Limits?
A. First of all, Springfield is in Greene County. My primary focus would be providing police protection outside the city limits of Springfield and in the unincorporated areas in Greene County. However, if a deputy witnesses a violation of the law, I would expect them to act appropriately. If a Springfield police officer needs a backup, I expect them to respond if they are needed. Criminals do not operate based on jurisdictional boundaries. If assistance is needed to help a Greene County citizen, I would expect officers to assist as well.
In addition, if the deputies are working on a grant that specifies working inside Springfield, such as Youth Alcohol Enforcement, conducting compliance checks, then I am in support of that. The same goes for DWI Enforcement, those grants are to target drunk drivers, wherever they might be in the county. In all the DWI Checkpoints in 2007, that the Sheriff's Department conducted, were outside the city limits of Springfield, at no time did we operate one inside the city limits.
We continue to be called to assist with manpower in Springfield as well as other agencies in Greene County. As long as we can provide this assistance with off-duty deputies being paid on grants, I will support it. I believe that it increases visibility of the Greene county Sheriffs department as well as supplements the deputy income, which is well below what it should be.
Q. Will you continue to assist the smaller agencies by answering the calls for service when they do not have officers on duty?
A. Yes I will. I believe this is a great relationship that needs to be maintained. Not only do we help them, but when we are short staffed or have a high call load, they answer calls for us and provide backup to G.C.S.D. deputies.
Q. Who will be your Chief Deputy?
A. I do not know because that is a premature decision. I am currently focusing my attention on being the best chief deputy I can be and serve Sheriff Merritt in that capacity. Obviously, I am also focusing much of my attention to the Sheriff's race. Those types of decisions will be made in the event I prevail in the general election in November 2008.
Q. Do you feel that the Sheriff's Department has adequate number of staff?
A. I do not. I have a four year plan that will address staffing needs of the department. With current budget issues, this is going to be a daunting task. In order for us to be able to provide the services the people of Greene County require, we must find a way to increase staffing levels. The Sheriff's Department staff is many times expected to do more with less. As time goes on, the Department will need someone who really knows the Department, and its needs, to serve as Sheriff. With the help of many talented and dedicated people within the Sheriff's Department, I think I can do that.
If you have questions you want to posted with an answer, please e-mail Jim at jim@jimarnott.com |
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