Issues
Issues Page
This page outlines my stance on the key issues facing law enforcement today – a challenging and complex environment that requires compassion, impartiality, and good judgment.
Recruitment and Retention
Recruiting and retaining police officers has proven to be a significant challenge for departments nationwide. This is driven, in large part, by a national environment that is very hostile towards law enforcement. Coupled with relatively lower pay as compared to many private sector jobs, the number of aspiring peace officers has declined dramatically. I believe that there are a number of things we can do to draw qualified applicants and retain those currently serving within the Sheriff’s Office. Refer to the “Constituents” page to see ways in which we can better serve the hardworking men and women in our Sheriff’s Office.
Government Transparency and Accountability
I am a firm believer in conducting our business honestly and holding ourselves accountable. In addition to improving our Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request response time (see “Constituents” page), I have always maintained an Open-Door policy for those that work in my departments and for the community I serve.
Integrity
I believe that one of the core tenets of a free society is the ability of the citizenry to trust their elected and appointed government officials. Unfortunately, we’ve seen a breach of this trust within the highest ranks of the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office over the past couple of years that cause legitimate concern regarding our current Sheriff’s ability to fulfill his responsibilities with honesty, transparency, and integrity. Integrity is more than just a catchphrase to me – it means doing the right thing particularly when it’s hard, and I hold myself and others in law enforcement to those standards.
Second Amendment Rights
The right to keep and bear arms is foundational to a free nation. In this arena, there have been many constitutional wins and challenges. With the issuance of the United States Supreme Court’s Bruen decision (NYSRPA II v. Bruen, No. 20-843), government must – appropriately – meet a much higher standard when prohibiting or limiting the right to keep and bear arms. Unfortunately, we’ve seen case after case across the country where government officials and legislators are working to limit our second amendment right in flagrant violation of this Supreme Court decision. I believe it is incumbent upon the Office of the Sheriff to protect and defend our right to keep and bear arms – even if that means defending against our own state and federal government agencies
Immigration
Legal immigration into the United States is a wonderful and valuable opportunity afforded to those who have applied and been selected through the lawfully enacted immigration processes. Unfortunately, we’ve seen an enormous influx of illegal immigration. Complicating the issue, this has received alternating support and condemnation from government officials. This lack of consistency in response to illegal immigration is unhelpful for US citizens and legal immigrants. I believe that those who enter this nation through legal immigration should be welcomed with open arms. At the same time, I believe in our nation’s sovereignty, and that our immigration laws serve our national security and social interests when properly applied and enforced. Thus, it is my stance that illegal immigrants should be arrested and processed in accordance with our laws to maintain our security and encourage legal immigration.
Civil Asset Forfeiture
Civil asset forfeiture is the highly controversial practice of seizing property that is alleged to be part of a crime. The agency seizing the property may then keep or sell the property and the owners need not ever be arrested or convicted of a crime to lose their property. The reason this is so controversial is that the seizing agency need not prove the property is tied to a crime to seize it, and the process of the owner getting their property back has proven to be difficult and often prohibitively expensive – thus depriving the rightful owner of their property without due process. This practice has often been abused by law enforcement agencies because of the significant financial incentive associated with the seizure and sale of the property. While civil asset forfeiture is a lawful practice and can be beneficial, I believe seizures of property should be limited to only those circumstances where the property is clearly and objectively tied to a crime or are the fruits of a crime, and for which a warrant can be obtained.
Government Intervention
As stated in the Declaration of Independence: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are unalienable rights endowed by our Creator, and governments are instituted for the purpose of securing these rights. It is my belief that intervention of government in our personal lives should be only to the minimum extent necessary to protect these rights. Accordingly, I will stand with you against all unwarranted searches and seizures and ensure that due process is followed, as guaranteed in the Fourth and Fifth Amendments. It is my vision that the citizens of St. Clair County be free and secure in their persons and property, and it is my duty to protect this county from the unreasonable involvement of any level of our government.
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