To the Editor:
With the upcoming election for McDonough County Sheriff, it is important for the voting public to understand this vital position. The Sheriff’s role has evolved over the years into an expansive job with a wide variety of duties. The Sheriff is required to simultaneously operate a law enforcement and investigative agency as well as a fullscale jail. To put this into perspective, in every other area of law enforcement, policing and corrections are separate entities. In addition to these duties, the Sheriff is also responsible for the security of the courthouse and related facilities as well as reporting to the county board.
The administration of patrol deputies and detectives running investigations is a huge undertaking on its own. The McDonough County Sheriff’s Office runs patrols throughout every community in the county. In addition, the Sheriff’s Office undertakes major felony investigations. Operating a strictly policing agency is where most individuals with law enforcement experience begin and end. This is not where the Sheriff’s duties end. The Sheriff also manages the county jail, which houses both individuals awaiting trial as well as those who have been sentenced to serve less than one year of incarceration. Both sets of such individuals pose unique challenges. The safe transportation of detained individuals to and from court appearances requires an experienced approach. Housing those who have been sentenced, some of whom receive work release or weekend sentences, requires a high level of organization and oversight.
Finally, the task of providing court security and overseeing the court facilities is unique to the position of Sheriff. It is the duty of the Sheriff to ensure the safety of court personnel and court participants. The Sheriff also is tasked with overseeing the court building as a whole and reporting in this regard to the county board.
Overall, the role of Sheriff is a complicated, multi-faceted position. This is not an entry-level job, even for an individual with general law enforcement experience.
