Size of force dividing issue for GOP Kane County sheriff candidates

Both Republican candidates for Kane County Sheriff believe the department needs major reforms to get back on budget and improve the safety for area residents. But perhaps the biggest difference between Don Kramer and Rob Russell is the size of the law enforcement staff they believe is needed.

Kramer, who recently retired from the department, believes the county board and Sheriff Pat Perez should never have cut the number of sworn officers 90. He believes the department needs 96 officers and probably more. Kramer also favors opening the mothballed wing of the new county jail, increasing the need for corrections officers. Kramer believes the money would come from state and federal grants and avoiding large salaries by juggling the size of the administrative staff.

Russell believes 90 sworn officers is plenty and the budget and patrol problems can be addressed through accreditation of the department and reassigning more officers back to patrol positions. Russell believes the department must become more of a revenue-generator and favors more partnerships with drug task forces and possibly charging for vehicle towing.