Though currently serving as an Allen County commissioner, Jerry Daniels wants the opportunity to lead the Sheriff’s Department.
If elected, his undersheriff would be Jared Froggate, currently of the Iola Police Department.
Daniels has been in law enforcement for 22 years at multiple levels, including serving as a state trooper. He was also in the National Guard for 20 years.
“I’ve always been a cop and always will be,” he said.
“I think [the Sheriff’s Department is doing] a great job … but we can always do better.”
In terms of achieving better outcomes, Daniels said “I know how to work with other agencies,” which, he said, leads to “better cooperation and communication” between the sheriff’s department and other entities.
The key, he said, is “keeping people informed and being transparent,” especially during what he described as “tense times.”
One way to facilitate transparency, Daniels said, is by creating a law enforcement review board that can handle problems and keep people accountable.
He also wants to implement a rank structure for deputies with on-duty supervisors, which he is confident will help with “customer service” to the public as well as create a “career-ladder for deputies.”
If funds are available, Daniels said he’d also like to “look at deputy salaries to stay competitive.”
On the other hand, if budget cuts need to be made, he pointed to measures like purchasing older vehicles from the highway patrol.
In terms of partnerships, Daniels said he’s grateful for mental health services, especially since it’s an area that “deputies aren’t professionals in,” and because “it’s common knowledge that [psychological health is] the root of a lot of problems.”
Social workers and psychologists are some of “the biggest help law enforcement needs,” he said, especially when it comes to helping people break cycles of addiction.
Responding to how law enforcement has been affected by social unrest in wake of police violence, Daniels highlighted the importance of adequately training and supervising officers, as well as attracting good candidates to the job.
He added that it’s vital to consider whether an officer might have any history of disciplinary action, or if problematic behavior arises, pointed out that “those have to be dealt with strictly.”
“That individual has to be held accountable,” Daniels said. “We’ve got to deal with those bad apples.”
