Former police chief, head investigator face off in race

Brad Swain says he knows the Sheriff's Department "better or as well as anyone," a claim backed up by his professional experience.\nHe also knows the community. Swain grew up in Monroe County and returned home after college. He resides in Indian Creek Township, where he serves on the board of directors for the fire department, and works full-time as chief investigator in the Monroe County Sheriff Department.\n"Monroe County is probably one of the best places to live in the country," Swain said. "It's a great cross-section of people who seem to get along together, even in the rural areas."\nMost of the jurisdiction of the Sheriff's Department is in these rural areas. However, a large part of student housing also falls within the Sheriff's Department's jurisdiction, Swain said. \nWhen sheriffs get called to those areas, Swain tells students they set the tone for how they will be treated by the officers.\n"You may not talk yourself out of getting arrested, but you can sure talk into getting arrested," Swain said.\nIn light of the prevalence of drinking infractions in Monroe County, Swain says driving under the influence is simply not tolerated. When it comes to public intoxication, he said police officers often act to protect the person being arrested.\nIf someone is arrested in such a situation, especially with a high blood-alcohol level, their personal safety is treated with high priority.\nIn Monroe County as a whole, Swain said a major problem is jail overcrowding. He specifically cites the presence of mental health patients within the facility, a problem he hopes to reverse if elected. When several state mental health centers closed, responsibility for their care fell on the county jail, he said. \n"They have no stimulus to help them (in the jail)," Swain said. "By staying there, they can deteriorate even more."\nAnother cause for overcrowding is the presence of repeat offenders. Swain said the "majority of their problems stem from alcohol- and drug-related issues." \nWhile he said supplementary programs that deal with inmates' addictions are often a successful way to counter these problems, Swain is mindful of efficiency in terms of instituting them.\n"I want to make sure there's some meshing of successful programs, rather than doing something experimental," he said.\nThis efficiency carries over to his other plans, as he hopes to reduce overlapping programs in the Sheriff's Department to reduce stress on the department. \nOne of the changes Swain is most adamant about is eliminating roll call if elected. The current policy requires all patrol officers to report to the sheriff's station in downtown Bloomington at the beginning and end of each shift. This means that sometimes there are no patrol cars on the roads. Further, many of these officers live in rural areas and lose travel time both to and from downtown. By allowing officers to check in from where they will be patrolling, Swain hopes to save money and time for the community.