What's in this Guide
Representative in Congress, 6th District
Kalamazoo County Sheriff
Kalamazoo County Commission, Districts 1, 6, 7, 10
Kalamazoo County Sheriff
Four-year term — Vote for one
- What essential talents, skills and experiences would you bring to the office you seek? [100-word limit]
- What strategies would you use to improve the effectiveness of the
Sheriff’s Office? [100-word limit] - What is the greatest challenge facing the Sheriff’s Office? How will you address it? [100-word limit]
Republican
Bruce LaBrie
Age 58. Deputy Sheriff, Allegan County; Director of Safety & Traffic, Allegan County Road Commission, responsible for Traffic Engineering, risk management, workers compensation administration, purchasing and budget. Graduate, Comstock High School, 1971; graduate, KVCC Regional Police Academy, 1974; graduate, Institute of Applied Sciences, 1988. Retired, Kalamazoo Public Safety as Assistant Lab Director. Thirteen years each, Allegan County Road Commission and Allegan County Sheriff’s Department. Vice Chair, Local Emergency Planning Committee, Emergency Management Instructor. www.electlabriesheriff.com.
- With 38 years of police experience and 25 years in administrative positions, the budgets I administrated have always been tight. I think outside the box and employ common sense. My experience working with elected commissioners on budgetary needs and the justification for those is proven. I employ two-fold interpersonal communication skills; you must be a good listener and always be truthful, to be an effective leader. I currently have to analyze data in combination with policy and the law, when making decisions which affect the employees and taxpayers. I do not appease, but do what is right.
- Citizen safety and enhanced road patrols are critical. An effective jail must be safe for both employees and inmates. We cannot compromise in these areas. Decisions will be made employing common sense, core values and sound financial principles. Successful policies from other sheriff’s offices throughout the United States may be utilized. Employees are our most valuable asset. Their input will be sought in improving the department and services to our community. Administrators must at all times remain proactive, and you must lead by example. If elected, I will not take a pension or health insurance benefits from Kalamazoo County.
- Staffing and housing prisoners is the area that greatly impacts the Sheriff’s budget. The current jail houses 327 inmates and the expansion adds 223. Staffing for this new level strains the budget. Other jails have added on and found they cannot sustain the expense, requiring them to rent beds to other agencies. Their per day costs are less than half of Kalamazoo County’s. If the jail population remains at 327 and we contract out 113 prisoners, the cost savings would be over $1.2 million per year. These savings are paramount to protecting our county’s future.
Ward D. Lawrence
Age 52. Kalamazoo County Sheriff Patrol / Training Sergeant. Associate’s degree, KVCC; attended Spring Arbor College, Management and Operational program, no degree at this time. Police officer, 28 yrs; supervisor, 14 yrs. Worked in patrol, corrections, dispatch, swat. 1992 Police Officer of the Year, State of Michigan. Awarded the Purple Heart, along with many other commendations. Some additional duties: instructing officers in firearms, defensive tactics, use of force, patrol tactics. Liaison, Kalamazoo County Mounted Division, serving the public from horseback. wardlawrenceforsheriff@gmail.com
- I have a straightforward work ethic and honesty that resonates with officers and the public alike. I began my life in service when I joined the Michigan National guard on 9-11-1977. I used my approximate 9 years in the National Guard and my 28 years in police service building a solid reputation as an honest, hard working leader. I have taught in many aspects of police work which has built me into a public speaker, as well as given me good exposure to the community.
- The Sheriff’s Office will go back to the basics of the police profession: Protect and Serve. We will staff a professional jail and protect those in our custody, and we will maintain a road patrol to serve our law abiding citizens. We must do away with extras or items that we cannot afford at this time. There is a need to rebuild a positive working relationship with the unions to make our comeback a mutual effort for all. Pride and morale are a group effort.
- Fiscal responsibility. The past several years the Sheriff’s Office has been grossly over budget. The citizens of this county said no new taxes for a new jail, and the county officials did it. I think it’s our duty to prove we can staff and maintain it within our budget. I will use strong leadership to facilitate this. We must restructure and minimize our operations. The excuse, “we have always done it this way,” is unacceptable. I foresee personnel cuts through attrition and a general make-over of our operations.
Democrat
Richard C. Fuller III
Age 48. Sheriff of Kalamazoo County. A.D., Law Enforcement, Kellogg Community College; Executive Management Certificate, Northwestern Univ. Center for Public Safety; National Sheriff’s Institute Certificate; U.S. Department of Justice Jail Administration Certificate. Sheriff since 2009. Served 1989-2009 as Deputy, Detective, Sergeant, Radio Dispatch, Detective Bureau and the Uniform Services Section. As a Sergeant I was in charge of the Field Training Unit, Methamphetamine Team, Project Life Saver, CPR/AED instructor. Also Marshall Firefighter/EMT and Homer police officer. www.Kzoosheriff.com
- I am a leader who emphasizes team building and innovation. Since my election to office in 2009, we have accomplished great things through teamwork. The 2010 oil spill into the Kalamazoo River did not occur in Kalamazoo County; however, it threatened and damaged the river in our county. I assumed the position as the team leader for Kalamazoo County. Immediately after being informed of the situation, I formed a team of leaders to address the threat to our county. Communication at the local, state and federal levels led to the high level of success we achieved.
- Strategies I use to improve department’s effectiveness are teamwork, asking staff to think beyond the four corners in which they live, and continual research. I strive to make the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office safer, more economical and innovative. Changes implemented at the Sheriff’s Office have increased efficiency in the day-to-day operations of the jail. One change was the introduction of an inmate classification system that properly houses the inmates according to their offense, charge and other related criteria. Working closely with the Board of Commissioners and the township supervisors, we improved the service provided by our road patrol staff.
- One of the greatest challenges the Sheriff’s Department faces is change. That being said, this is a great time to be the Sheriff. Due to the limitation of funds the status quo of yesteryears is no longer viable and the consolidation of funds and services needs to happen countywide. Under my leadership since 2009 we have been moving toward consolidation in three areas: Dispatch, Swat and the Jail. I will continue work toward more consolidation of sharing and service innovations to improve the efficiencies that will enable us to protect and serve all of the citizens of Kalamazoo County better.