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Lake County Sheriff Curran: Candidate Profile

Lake County Sheriff (Republican)

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Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioQA Bio City: LibertyvilleWebsite: www.sheriffmarkcurran.comOffice sought: Lake County Sheriff Age: 51Family: , wife of 17 years, three sons; Mark, George and PeterOccupation: SheriffEducation: Springhill College, Mobil, AL 1985 BS in Business Administration IIT Chicago Kent Law, Chicago, IL 1990 Juris Doctor of Law Suburban Law Enforcement Academy, College of DuPage, 2008, Certified Law Enforcement Officer Mandated continuing education classes in law and law enforcement.Civic involvement: St. Joseph's Church Knights of Columbus Libertyville Basketball - Coach Libertyville Boy's Club Football, past coach current supporter Board of Director/member of several law enforcement organizations, including: Lake County MEG; Lake County Opioid Initiative; Lake County Major Crime Task Force; Crimestoppers; Northern Illinois Crime Lab; Suburban Law Enforcement Academy; Law Enforcement Aviation Coalition and Chicago Archdiocese Committee on Immigration Serve on committees for the Lake County Chiefs of Police, Illinois Sheriff's Association, National Sheriff's Association and Major Counties Sheriff's Association Past and present board member to numerous Lake County non profit organizations and continue to be available for assistance.Elected offices held: Lake County Sheriff 2006-PresentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoQuestions Answers There have been varying reports about morale problems among some groups within the rank and file. How would you characterize morale in the office and what steps will you take to address it if elected?As Sheriff, I manage over 500 employees, with the majority represented by unions. Most employees are content and proud to serve Lake County residents; however disgruntled employees exist and challenge organizations. My primary obligation as the elected Sheriff is to keep Lake County residents safe within a county-approved budget. Therefore, Iâ#128;™ve approved policies and procedures ensuring equal access to opportunities, upgraded vehicles and equipment, enhanced training opportunities, and raised the standards of the office, instilling a greater sense of organizational pride. Finally, employees engaged in wrong-doing are being held accountable, and this is encouraging to the rest of the employees.Do you see a need to focus available resources on a particular type of crime in the unincorporated areas of county and in the towns that contract for law enforcement service?I reallocated resources by taking Grade 1 highly-paid Deputies out of Court Security and reassigning them to highway patrol and various specialty units. I replaced the Grade 1 Deputies in Court Security with primarily retired officers, saving the County over $23,000 per employee. These changes resulted in more Deputies on the road than ever before leading to better service, safer communities and a more focused attack on criminals. These moves continue to keep Lake County safe and fiscally responsible at the same time. In 2013, LCSO led the State in DUI arrests and reduced warrants to lowest number since 2005.If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of any important initiatives youâ#128;™ve led. If you are a challenger, what would you bring to the office and what would your priority be?Contributions include: Hired top cops Ray Rose and Doug Larsson. Expenditures under budget 8 years in a row, (millions saved.) Leading a county-wide effort to train and equip all law enforcement personnel on Narcan. Restructuring Court Security, saving the County money and placing more deputies on the streets. Seeking CALEA Accreditation, alongside continued accreditations by the ACA and NCHCC, placing the LCSO in an elite class of organizations (earned by less than 1% nation-wide). Increasing Lake County Jail volunteers through outreach to religious and non-profit organizations to ensure inmates are prepared for re-entry into the community, reducing recidivism rates.What is your assessment of the marine unit and do you believe it would require more resources with upcoming new changes in the boating laws? What would they be?The LCSO Marine Unit patrols some of Lake Michigan and the Chain O Lakes, although under no statutory obligation. There are differing opinions amongst County officials as to the extent the County should fund the Sheriffâ#128;™s Marine Unit. Several years ago, the County reached out to DNR to better patrol the Chain O Lakes resulting in an increased presence by DNR. At the beginning of the boating season, the LCSO kicked off a boating safety campaign. The LCSO website promotes safe boating. However, a greater presence by the Department of Natural Resources may enhance safety on the waterways.Should the sheriffâ#128;™s office aggressively pursue contracts for law enforcement service with smaller municipalities? Why or why not?Many municipalities are facing difficult economic times making future budgetary cuts a sad reality. The LCSO is the largest law enforcement agency in the County and provides the most diverse array of law enforcement related services thus making the LCSO an attractive option in some instances. However, we maintain excellent working relationships with our local agencies and would never attempt to solicit business and harm those working relationships.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?My office has helped keep Lake County safe for 8 years by better allocating resources and targeting criminal elements, which must continue. I recognize law enforcement is constantly evolving and the accreditation my office seeks and maintains will insure credible objective sources will continually examine the LCSO and its policies and procedures as well as their implementation. I want to continue to professionalize the office by hiring as well as promoting the best law enforcement professionals. Finally, we need to continue to engage in community policing by working closely with the people throughout Lake County and responding to their needs.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.My wife, Irene.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Actions have consequences.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I've learned from the mistakes I made and would not change a thing.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?I was a business major in college and life is a series of businesses, household budgets, retirements, etc.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?God will never abandon you.