Hello everybody welcome to this
Hello everybody welcome to this
week's episode of The County Seat,
week's episode of The County Seat,
I'm your host Chad Booth. We are
I'm your host Chad Booth. We are
privileged today to have a one on one
privileged today to have a one on one
conversation with the new Sheriff of
conversation with the new Sheriff of
Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera
Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera
thank you for joining us today and I
thank you for joining us today and I
appreciate it.
appreciate it.
Thank you for having me.
Thank you for having me.
You have accomplished quite a bit of
You have accomplished quite a bit of
firsts you have made more headlines
firsts you have made more headlines
than most Sheriffs in the last few
than most Sheriffs in the last few
decades because I believe you are the
first woman sheriff in the entire state
first woman sheriff in the entire state
is that not correct?
is that not correct?
Yes, in the entire state.
Yes, in the entire state.
And you are also first Hispanic sheriff
And you are also first Hispanic sheriff
as well, correct?
as well, correct?
Yes and only the second Hispanic in
Yes and only the second Hispanic in
the United States.
the United States.
So are you getting interview offers in
So are you getting interview offers in
papers in Washington and all over?
papers in Washington and all over?
I have had a lot of interview offers.
I have had a lot of interview offers.
I am privileged and thankful that you
I am privileged and thankful that you
took this one.
took this one.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I would like to start with your journey
I would like to start with your journey
and this is an accomplishment this is
and this is an accomplishment this is
something that is noteworthy how
something that is noteworthy how
did you get your start in law
did you get your start in law
enforcement and the trip that lead
enforcement and the trip that lead
you to be the sheriff?
you to be the sheriff?
Well my start took a little while I was
Well my start took a little while I was
a teenage mother so my path was
a teenage mother so my path was
going to be in law enforcement
going to be in law enforcement
however that path changed to
however that path changed to
become a mother so at the age of 31
become a mother so at the age of 31
my children were old enough where I
my children were old enough where I
could go to the police academy and I
could go to the police academy and I
went to the police academy and got
went to the police academy and got
hired by Weber State right out of the
hired by Weber State right out of the
academy and worked there for a year
academy and worked there for a year
then I came to Salt Lake County and
then I came to Salt Lake County and
was hired as a deputy and I moved
was hired as a deputy and I moved
out to Riverton and I have been living
out to Riverton and I have been living
in Riverton ever since that was 24
in Riverton ever since that was 24
years ago and from Salt Lake County I
years ago and from Salt Lake County I
moved over to Taylorsville police
moved over to Taylorsville police
department when they decided to
department when they decided to
form their own police department
form their own police department
then when Taylorsville decided to
then when Taylorsville decided to
come back to the county however the
come back to the county however the
county was unified police by then so I
county was unified police by then so I
worked with unified police
worked with unified police
department and I left there as a
department and I left there as a
deputy chief out of the Riverton
deputy chief out of the Riverton
precinct and now I am sheriff.
precinct and now I am sheriff.
That is quite a path.
That is quite a path.
Yes, it is.
Yes, it is.
What were your biggest challenges
What were your biggest challenges
along the way?
along the way?
I think the biggest challenges along
I think the biggest challenges along
the way were most of my career I
the way were most of my career I
was a single mother so that was a
was a single mother so that was a
huge challenge trying to juggle law
huge challenge trying to juggle law
enforcement and be a single mother
enforcement and be a single mother
also going to college and juggling that
also going to college and juggling that
so that was my biggest challenge.
so that was my biggest challenge.
Law enforcement is by its nature
Law enforcement is by its nature
risky, did that ever concern you as a
risky, did that ever concern you as a
single parent.
single parent.
It did not. I have worked in law
It did not. I have worked in law
enforcement for such a long time it's
enforcement for such a long time it's
not a concern however society is
not a concern however society is
changing my daughter did go to
changing my daughter did go to
school and get her degree in criminal
school and get her degree in criminal
justice and we talked about it and
justice and we talked about it and
decided it was not the best time for
decided it was not the best time for
her to get into law enforcement.
her to get into law enforcement.
Simply because society is changing so
Simply because society is changing so
much towards law enforcement.
much towards law enforcement.
Do you think there is opportunity for
Do you think there is opportunity for
women going forward into law
women going forward into law
enforcement? For those that choose
enforcement? For those that choose
to do it have a lot of doors been open
to do it have a lot of doors been open
since you started. I have a really
since you started. I have a really
good friend who struggled to get into
good friend who struggled to get into
law enforcement her name is Kim
law enforcement her name is Kim
Adamson been friend since college
Adamson been friend since college
she like you worked really hard to
she like you worked really hard to
overcome some barriers, do you
overcome some barriers, do you
think those barriers are knocked
think those barriers are knocked
down quite a bit now.
down quite a bit now.
There are, they absolutely are. I am a
There are, they absolutely are. I am a
founding of the Utah women law
founding of the Utah women law
enforcement association and part of
enforcement association and part of
creating that was to open doors for
creating that was to open doors for
females and to mentor them and be
females and to mentor them and be
by their side when they do want to
by their side when they do want to
make that next step into promotion
make that next step into promotion
and we have had many females
and we have had many females
promoted into a leadership positions
promoted into a leadership positions
since 2009 that is when we created
since 2009 that is when we created
that association.
that association.
break here from The County Seat, we
break here from The County Seat, we
are talking with Sheriff Rosie Rivera
are talking with Sheriff Rosie Rivera
from the Salt Lake County Unified
from the Salt Lake County Unified
Police Department, Sheriff's office
Police Department, Sheriff's office
and we will take up that issue of what
and we will take up that issue of what
unified police is and how it's the
unified police is and how it's the
unique law enforcement agency
unique law enforcement agency
when we come back here in a
when we come back here in a
minute.
minute.
Welcome back to The County Seat we
Welcome back to The County Seat we
are talking with Sheriff Rosie Rivera
are talking with Sheriff Rosie Rivera
who is the sheriff for Salt Lake County
who is the sheriff for Salt Lake County
also the head of the unified police
also the head of the unified police
department for the county unified PD
department for the county unified PD
has been around for what 10 years?
has been around for what 10 years?
It's been around for about 9 years.
It's been around for about 9 years.
There are still a lot of people do not
There are still a lot of people do not
quite grasp what the unified PD is. I
quite grasp what the unified PD is. I
think it would be helpful for us to
think it would be helpful for us to
understand the role of the Sheriff and
understand the role of the Sheriff and
the unified PD and are the 2 separate
the unified PD and are the 2 separate
entities are then one entity? Exactly
entities are then one entity? Exactly
how does that work?
how does that work?
Well they are two separate entities
Well they are two separate entities
but the all fall under the office of the
but the all fall under the office of the
sheriff and unified police department
sheriff and unified police department
it was a thought for several years but
it was a thought for several years but
in 2010 it actually when they became
in 2010 it actually when they became
an actual entity for a law
an actual entity for a law
enforcement unified police
enforcement unified police
department is our law enforcement
department is our law enforcement
side of the organization where it has
side of the organization where it has
patrol officers and detectives and
patrol officers and detectives and
canyon officers those kind of law
canyon officers those kind of law
enforcement jobs are part of the
enforcement jobs are part of the
unified police department.
unified police department.
The actual on the street law
The actual on the street law
enforcement falls to PD running the
enforcement falls to PD running the
jail
jail
Running the jail falls to the sheriff's
Running the jail falls to the sheriff's
side of the house and so does
side of the house and so does
protective services so with the
protective services so with the
sheriffs department under the office
sheriffs department under the office
of the sheriff you have the jail with
of the sheriff you have the jail with
the deputies there the detectives and
the deputies there the detectives and
service officers and there is quite a
service officers and there is quite a
bit there too and 136 right now that
bit there too and 136 right now that
is like their own police department.
is like their own police department.
So how does the UPD work? Let's
So how does the UPD work? Let's
draw a comparison to Utah County
draw a comparison to Utah County
next door they have the regular
next door they have the regular
sheriffs department not quite as big
sheriffs department not quite as big
as Salt Lake but reasonably sized so
as Salt Lake but reasonably sized so
how does Sheriff Tracey department
how does Sheriff Tracey department
work different than your department.
work different than your department.
They also have the jail directly under
They also have the jail directly under
the sheriff and they are all deputies.
the sheriff and they are all deputies.
With unified police department they
With unified police department they
are a separate entity that the officers
are a separate entity that the officers
we refer to them as police officers
we refer to them as police officers
where in the jail they are deputies.
where in the jail they are deputies.
Their roles are much different one
Their roles are much different one
works the law enforcement side
works the law enforcement side
enforcing the laws out on the road
enforcing the laws out on the road
and the unique thing about the
and the unique thing about the
unified police department is there are
unified police department is there are
many cities that don't want to have
many cities that don't want to have
their own police department they
their own police department they
have become unified and they have
have become unified and they have
become into the unified police
become into the unified police
department whether they may
department whether they may
contract with us or they are part of
contract with us or they are part of
the service district and the county
the service district and the county
falls under that tool. An incorporated
falls under that tool. An incorporated
county that would include our new
county that would include our new
townships as well fall into it.
townships as well fall into it.
So how is the management structure
So how is the management structure
different in unified PD because it isn't
different in unified PD because it isn't
just all things rolling up hill to the
just all things rolling up hill to the
Sheriff's office there are other
Sheriff's office there are other
governing bodies and how it that
governing bodies and how it that
different.
different.
Yes, we actually have a governing
Yes, we actually have a governing
body that oversees the unified police
body that oversees the unified police
department so mainly they are
department so mainly they are
dealing with our budgets and some
dealing with our budgets and some
policies things like that but we run
policies things like that but we run
everything by our governing board
everything by our governing board
when we are making decisions on
when we are making decisions on
how to manage unified police
how to manage unified police
department. So you have the
department. So you have the
governing board but you also have a
governing board but you also have a
chain of commands we have deputy
chain of commands we have deputy
chiefs throughout every single
chiefs throughout every single
precinct we have captains who run
precinct we have captains who run
special units and divisions and we
special units and divisions and we
have a deputy chief who is over
have a deputy chief who is over
unified police department and their
unified police department and their
operations.
operations.
Okay so you basically take all the
Okay so you basically take all the
work up to your office on the law
work up to your office on the law
enforcement side.
enforcement side.
Who is that governing body made up
Who is that governing body made up
of?
of?
Mayors and township members as
Mayors and township members as
well.
well.
Okay so it is the individual cities.
Okay so it is the individual cities.
I guess very quickly one would think
I guess very quickly one would think
that sometimes that creates a conflict
that sometimes that creates a conflict
because a mayor in the city thinks
because a mayor in the city thinks
they have a different idea of how law
they have a different idea of how law
should be enforced and you are
should be enforced and you are
responsible for good law
responsible for good law
enforcement across the entire county
enforcement across the entire county
does that ever come into conflict.
does that ever come into conflict.
It has not, the governing board does
It has not, the governing board does
not set laws. They can as mayors and
not set laws. They can as mayors and
councils can set ordinances in their
councils can set ordinances in their
own communities but they do not set
own communities but they do not set
laws for law enforcement that is state
laws for law enforcement that is state
law and then we have county
law and then we have county
ordinances and then you have city
ordinances and then you have city
ordinances but it does not and I have
ordinances but it does not and I have
not seen where that becomes a
not seen where that becomes a
problem or a conflict.
problem or a conflict.
When we come back we will talk
When we come back we will talk
some of the challenges of UPD in just
some of the challenges of UPD in just
a second here on The County Seat.
a second here on The County Seat.
Welcome back to The County Seat we
Welcome back to The County Seat we
are talking with Salt Lake County
are talking with Salt Lake County
Sheriff Rosie Rivera we are talking
Sheriff Rosie Rivera we are talking
about the unified police department
about the unified police department
and this new role she stepped into
and it looks like she did not miss a
and it looks like she did not miss a
stride so far. I do want to talk about
stride so far. I do want to talk about
problems that are facing the
problems that are facing the
department and of course obviously
department and of course obviously
the first one that is going to come up
the first one that is going to come up
in people's minds is Rio Grande
in people's minds is Rio Grande
Homelessness in Utah. Is there any
Homelessness in Utah. Is there any
way we could have handled this
way we could have handled this
better so that we didn't get ourselves
better so that we didn't get ourselves
to the point where you know Mayor
to the point where you know Mayor
McAdams and everybody is kind of
McAdams and everybody is kind of
panicked about getting this under
panicked about getting this under
control.
control.
You know I don't know if we could
You know I don't know if we could
have handled it better we tried the
have handled it better we tried the
version tactic once already so this is a
version tactic once already so this is a
whole separate operation and from
whole separate operation and from
my point of view it looks like it is
my point of view it looks like it is
working it just takes patience and
working it just takes patience and
people to let this work.
people to let this work.
What are the hallmarks or the tracer
What are the hallmarks or the tracer
signs that it is working? The outlying
signs that it is working? The outlying
communities are saying no they are
communities are saying no they are
just ending up here and there you
just ending up here and there you
hear all kinds of things I want to get
hear all kinds of things I want to get
the actual straight word unfiltered.
the actual straight word unfiltered.
Well what is working is there is a
Well what is working is there is a
treatment side now we are in Phase
treatment side now we are in Phase
2. So Phase 1 was to those who had
2. So Phase 1 was to those who had
warrants or could be arrested on
warrants or could be arrested on
criminal charges were booked into
criminal charges were booked into
jail even though we knew they were
jail even though we knew they were
addicted to drugs they have now got
addicted to drugs they have now got
clean while they were in jail and we
clean while they were in jail and we
have offered them treatment
have offered them treatment
yesterday was the second day of
yesterday was the second day of
treatment offering and about 35
treatment offering and about 35
people said yes, I will take treatment
people said yes, I will take treatment
and so any time you can help
and so any time you can help
someone that is addicted to drugs
someone that is addicted to drugs
they hit rock bottom but they are
they hit rock bottom but they are
sober enough to say yes I want help
sober enough to say yes I want help
and many of them are saying yes, I
and many of them are saying yes, I
want help I do not want to do this
want help I do not want to do this
any longer so we are putting them
any longer so we are putting them
into treatment beds and the success
into treatment beds and the success
will be on the back end when those
will be on the back end when those
folks are successful and not homeless
folks are successful and not homeless
they are not committing crimes they
they are not committing crimes they
are not addicted to drugs any longer.
are not addicted to drugs any longer.
How much pressure does this put on
How much pressure does this put on
the jail?
the jail?
It has put a lot of pressure on the jail.
It has put a lot of pressure on the jail.
First we had to come up with 300
First we had to come up with 300
beds so that was pressure as you
beds so that was pressure as you
know the jail has been at capacity for
know the jail has been at capacity for
several years so we did make that
several years so we did make that
work now the issue we ran into is the
work now the issue we ran into is the
clientele coming in from the Rio
clientele coming in from the Rio
Grande suffer from health issues
Grande suffer from health issues
several different things it's a different
several different things it's a different
clientele because they have been
clientele because they have been
homeless for a long time and have
homeless for a long time and have
not had medical services so our
not had medical services so our
medical bills have gone way up. Our
medical bills have gone way up. Our
prescription bills are up and people
prescription bills are up and people
do not realize that the jail has to deal
do not realize that the jail has to deal
with that and we have to pay for that.
with that and we have to pay for that.
You know Sheriff Winder told me in
You know Sheriff Winder told me in
his first interview on the show this is
his first interview on the show this is
6 or 7 years ago that he was spending
6 or 7 years ago that he was spending
nearly $84,000 a month just on
nearly $84,000 a month just on
prescription medications for inmates,
prescription medications for inmates,
and you say now it has gone way up.
and you say now it has gone way up.
Yes it has gone way up and so has
Yes it has gone way up and so has
health care because we are required
health care because we are required
to provide the best care possible so
to provide the best care possible so
we have over 50 nurses we have
we have over 50 nurses we have
doctors there so people don't look at
doctors there so people don't look at
a jail as a medical place but we truly
a jail as a medical place but we truly
are in a lot of ways because that is
are in a lot of ways because that is
what we are dealing with right now.
what we are dealing with right now.
It's unfair to ask because you may not
It's unfair to ask because you may not
have that number at hand but how
have that number at hand but how
much has that grown. Has it
much has that grown. Has it
doubled?
doubled?
It probably has not doubled but it has
It probably has not doubled but it has
gone up significantly as far as the
gone up significantly as far as the
medical side because of the clientele
medical side because of the clientele
we are bringing in.
we are bringing in.
If there was already pressure on the
If there was already pressure on the
beds I know that Oxbow has been a
beds I know that Oxbow has been a
contentious issue because it is a
contentious issue because it is a
facility that is there but that has
facility that is there but that has
already been re-engaged is that not
already been re-engaged is that not
correct?
correct?
Well we are planning on requesting
Well we are planning on requesting
that they give us the funds to open
that they give us the funds to open
Oxbow. So if that does occur that will
Oxbow. So if that does occur that will
happen. My goal is to get those
happen. My goal is to get those
funds and get something started by
funds and get something started by
July 1st of next year.
July 1st of next year.
How many beds?
How many beds?
It's just over 360 beds.
It's just over 360 beds.
That actually doubles your capacity,
That actually doubles your capacity,
almost.
almost.
It does not double the capacity of the
It does not double the capacity of the
jail, the jail has 2500 beds. It will put
jail, the jail has 2500 beds. It will put
a band aid on it for now because you
a band aid on it for now because you
have to consider as population grows
have to consider as population grows
you are going to get more people
you are going to get more people
who need to be incarcerated we are
who need to be incarcerated we are
looking more for most violent
looking more for most violent
offenders for jail the others can
offenders for jail the others can
receive treatment or some of other
receive treatment or some of other
type of program.
type of program.
So in this initial phase do you have to
So in this initial phase do you have to
count on some other outlying
count on some other outlying
counties and who has come to your
counties and who has come to your
rescue on this?
rescue on this?
Absolutely, well I don't want to name
Absolutely, well I don't want to name
specific ones but I will say we have
specific ones but I will say we have
several partners of other counties
several partners of other counties
and other sheriffs have stepped up to
and other sheriffs have stepped up to
help us and that is what is so great
help us and that is what is so great
about having a good relationship with
about having a good relationship with
the other sheriffs in the state.
the other sheriffs in the state.
Let's talk about a broader issue than
Let's talk about a broader issue than
homelessness and that would be
homelessness and that would be
opioid addiction they are kind of
opioid addiction they are kind of
related but opioids are a much bigger
related but opioids are a much bigger
problem. So how does that figure
problem. So how does that figure
into your compass path for the
into your compass path for the
Sheriff's department.
Sheriff's department.
Well it figures into a lot of things.
Well it figures into a lot of things.
We have our road officers dealing
We have our road officers dealing
with it on a daily basis but we also
with it on a daily basis but we also
have our jails filling up with folks who
have our jails filling up with folks who
are committing crimes in trying to get
are committing crimes in trying to get
the opioids. So it does impact law
the opioids. So it does impact law
enforcement as a whole also these
enforcement as a whole also these
folks do not have money for it so they
folks do not have money for it so they
go out and commit crimes, burglaries
go out and commit crimes, burglaries
or just to get enough for the next day
or just to get enough for the next day
and it does create a big problem for
and it does create a big problem for
us and we have seen crime go up in
us and we have seen crime go up in
those areas.
those areas.
address this issue?
address this issue?
That is hard to answer as we do not
That is hard to answer as we do not
know what the future is going to
know what the future is going to
bring but I think as long as they are
bring but I think as long as they are
starting to encourage doctors to quit
starting to encourage doctors to quit
prescribing different types of
prescribing different types of
medication for those who there may
medication for those who there may
be an alternative so then they don't
be an alternative so then they don't
get addicted I think that is going to
get addicted I think that is going to
help a lot is by getting the doctors on
help a lot is by getting the doctors on
board with us.
board with us.
So you are saying a lot of these
So you are saying a lot of these
people that are out committing
people that are out committing
crimes really do not have a seedy
crimes really do not have a seedy
past until they actually had to go and
past until they actually had to go and
get prescription drugs.
get prescription drugs.
No not necessarily some decided to
No not necessarily some decided to
just start using drugs but we have
just start using drugs but we have
seen and there is a pattern of people
seen and there is a pattern of people
who get addicted to prescription
who get addicted to prescription
drugs and then they go on to the
drugs and then they go on to the
more stronger drugs such as heroin.
more stronger drugs such as heroin.
Right, and then they have to support
Right, and then they have to support
that habit and it turns them into
that habit and it turns them into
criminals and that is really a tough
criminals and that is really a tough
one.
one.
So what you see as the benefits or
So what you see as the benefits or
challenges from your departments
challenges from your departments
standpoint on the justice
standpoint on the justice
reinvestment initiative. Was that a
reinvestment initiative. Was that a
good plan it's had a lot of hiccups and
good plan it's had a lot of hiccups and
most people say it's a funding issue
most people say it's a funding issue
and not a concept issue. What is
and not a concept issue. What is
your take on that?
your take on that?
My take on it is at least we have a
My take on it is at least we have a
plan. Because without a plan we are
plan. Because without a plan we are
not moving forward at all we have a
not moving forward at all we have a
plan with JRI it is going to take some
plan with JRI it is going to take some
time and yes funding is an issue when
time and yes funding is an issue when
they are making those plans maybe
they are making those plans maybe
they were not aware of this issue and
they were not aware of this issue and
that issue but we are now making
that issue but we are now making
them aware and we are speaking up
them aware and we are speaking up
and we are saying we need funds for
and we are saying we need funds for
this specific items to help us help
this specific items to help us help
society as a whole really is really the
society as a whole really is really the
one that is going to benefit.
one that is going to benefit.
I have a lot of numbers that running
I have a lot of numbers that running
around in my head but it seems like
around in my head but it seems like
Representative Hutchins managed to
Representative Hutchins managed to
scrape up like 4 million dollars
scrape up like 4 million dollars
initially for JRI how short do you think
initially for JRI how short do you think
that number was for what it needs to
that number was for what it needs to
be.
be.
I am not a financial person but I think
I am not a financial person but I think
that really really short numbers it is
that really really short numbers it is
such a large plan with a lot of issues
such a large plan with a lot of issues
that are going on and it does costs
that are going on and it does costs
money mostly for the treatment side.
money mostly for the treatment side.
You think it will work if you get the
You think it will work if you get the
treatment in there?
treatment in there?
Money, good treatment as you still
Money, good treatment as you still
need treatment beds we may be full
need treatment beds we may be full
at the jail but the treatment centers
at the jail but the treatment centers
are full as well so we need more
are full as well so we need more
treatment for folks but I think down
treatment for folks but I think down
the road it will help.
the road it will help.
Washington County is experimenting
Washington County is experimenting
right now with actually getting their
right now with actually getting their
own service providers in the jail
own service providers in the jail
system in the Sheriff's department
system in the Sheriff's department
instead of contracting with mental
instead of contracting with mental
health to make sure they are getting
health to make sure they are getting
specialized treatment that they need.
specialized treatment that they need.
Do you see something like that
Do you see something like that
possibly for Salt Lake County?
possibly for Salt Lake County?
I do, yes. Down the road.
I do, yes. Down the road.
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Welcome back to The County Seat we
Welcome back to The County Seat we
are talking with Sheriff Rivera from
are talking with Sheriff Rivera from
Salt Lake County several years ago
Salt Lake County several years ago
Sheriff the big buzz word the fad
Sheriff the big buzz word the fad
really was neighborhood watches big
really was neighborhood watches big
push for communities to get involved
push for communities to get involved
and integrated with their law
and integrated with their law
enforcement agencies the sheriff's
enforcement agencies the sheriff's
department unified police and it kind
department unified police and it kind
of just washed away in the
of just washed away in the
background and now there seems to
background and now there seems to
be some rifts in some places how
be some rifts in some places how
important is that kind of engagement
important is that kind of engagement
and do you see it coming back?
and do you see it coming back?
I do see it coming back and it is
I do see it coming back and it is
extremely important. One of my
extremely important. One of my
philosophies is that our communities
philosophies is that our communities
are becoming more and more diverse
are becoming more and more diverse
so our law enforcement needs to be
so our law enforcement needs to be
diverse as well. I do not mean by
diverse as well. I do not mean by
race or gender those type of things
race or gender those type of things
what I mean by is officers need to be
what I mean by is officers need to be
trained need to know how to
trained need to know how to
communicate better deescalate
communicate better deescalate
things and become partners with the
things and become partners with the
community to try to fight crime
community to try to fight crime
prevent crime and help in any way
prevent crime and help in any way
we can. One of the issues we are
we can. One of the issues we are
dealing with is the mental health
dealing with is the mental health
issue we go on calls nonstop all day
issue we go on calls nonstop all day
long with people who suffer from
long with people who suffer from
mental illness we are teaching our
mental illness we are teaching our
officers how to deal with people who
officers how to deal with people who
are in a crisis or suffer from a mental
are in a crisis or suffer from a mental
illness and that will make them more
illness and that will make them more
diverse and able to serve that
diverse and able to serve that
community better.
community better.
Is this mental health issue growing is
Is this mental health issue growing is
it still the same percentage of the
it still the same percentage of the
population but it just consumes more
population but it just consumes more
time because that number is larger or
time because that number is larger or
do you actually see it becoming more
do you actually see it becoming more
prevalent percentage wise with the
prevalent percentage wise with the
community?
community?
We see it more prevalent. A lot of
We see it more prevalent. A lot of
the mental health issue are due to
the mental health issue are due to
the opioid epidemic folks that are
the opioid epidemic folks that are
involved in drugs that messes up
involved in drugs that messes up
their bodies and their thinking is
their bodies and their thinking is
different and they become suffering
different and they become suffering
from mental illness. I am sure there is
from mental illness. I am sure there is
a different word to use for that but
a different word to use for that but
those are the episodes that we are
those are the episodes that we are
responding on and people who are in
responding on and people who are in
a crisis.
a crisis.
So part of this issue is a trust issue
So part of this issue is a trust issue
and I think we now have communities
and I think we now have communities
where the police because of
where the police because of
community hostility towards them
community hostility towards them
have a lack of trust the communities
have a lack of trust the communities
have a lack of trust with the police
have a lack of trust with the police
and there is this rift that is created
and there is this rift that is created
and its basically been in the last 8 or
and its basically been in the last 8 or
9 years I have seen it grow. Will you
9 years I have seen it grow. Will you
be able to bridge that will community
be able to bridge that will community
programs bridge it where we can
programs bridge it where we can
actually get people who are looking
actually get people who are looking
at law enforcement differently and
at law enforcement differently and
they perhaps do not get involved in
they perhaps do not get involved in
drugs and things of that nature?
drugs and things of that nature?
I do think that is going to happen.
I do think that is going to happen.
We have been real successful in
We have been real successful in
working with partnerships with the
working with partnerships with the
community. But now that I am
community. But now that I am
sheriff I can work with the entire
sheriff I can work with the entire
county and build those partnerships.
county and build those partnerships.
It's important to have those and it is
It's important to have those and it is
effective in your community to help
effective in your community to help
prevent crime help people who are in
prevent crime help people who are in
a crisis and it is a good idea to
a crisis and it is a good idea to
communicate and be transparent if
communicate and be transparent if
you are up front and honest about
you are up front and honest about
what the situation occurred I think
what the situation occurred I think
the public is going to be more open
the public is going to be more open
trusting us again.
trusting us again.
If you got a good community
If you got a good community
engagement where they are teaming
engagement where they are teaming
with the Sheriff's department do you
with the Sheriff's department do you
see a significant reduction of
see a significant reduction of
reportable crimes?
reportable crimes?
Not reportable but solve rates. One
Not reportable but solve rates. One
of the things we have asked for is
of the things we have asked for is
please call us so we want our calls to
please call us so we want our calls to
go up on suspicious circumstances or
go up on suspicious circumstances or
something that is not right in your
something that is not right in your
neighborhood we are asking for calls.
neighborhood we are asking for calls.
Sheriff thank you so much for your
Sheriff thank you so much for your
time we appreciate it.
time we appreciate it.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Remember local government is
Remember local government is
where your life happens be involved
where your life happens be involved
be part of the solution we will look
be part of the solution we will look
for you next week on The County
for you next week on The County
Seat.
Seat.
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