Gregory Whalen: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Gregory Whalen

City: Clarendon Hills

Website: www.GregoryWhalen.com

Twitter: @whalen4sheriff

Facebook: www.facebook.com/whalenfordupagesheriff/

Party: Democrat

Office sought: DuPage County sheriff

Age: 35

Family: Wife - Tiffany, five children

Occupation: Lieutenant, Glencoe Department of Public Safety

Education: Master's Degree in Public Safety Administration (Lewis University - Romeoville); Bachelor's Degree in Fire Science Management (Southern Illinois University - Carbondale); School of Police Staff and Command Class #433 (Northwestern University Center for Public Safety - Evanston, IL)

Civic involvement: None

Elected offices held: None

Questions & Answers

1. Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you?

I decided to run for sheriff because I believe my extensive experience in the public safety discipline can bring the sheriff's department to a new level and better serve DuPage County communities. Being someone who is crossed trained in all three of the public safety professions (law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services), I have a vast understanding of how you can bring all sectors of public safety together to achieve a common goal. The role of the sheriff expands far beyond the role of law enforcement. It's about being a role model in our communities. It's about ensuring all public safety entities in DuPage County are on the same page, prepared and able to respond and operate under a single, unified command structure without political influence and power struggles. It's about developing strong partnerships and trust with every community in the county and overcoming socioeconomic barriers.

The issue which motivated me to run for DuPage County sheriff is today, law enforcement seems to be viewed as an authority figure which is called upon when needed; however, law enforcement should be viewed as a trusted partner within our communities. Law enforcement should be an involved member in our communities, working each day to further develop existing relationships and repair the relationships which have been fractured.

2. There has been a disconnect between the sheriff's office and the county board in many areas, including questions about the sheriff's budget. What steps would you take to repair that relationship?

I believe it is extremely important to develop a strong working relationship with the county board and maintain open communication channels. Working together will only enhance the county's abilities to provide the highest level of service to the residents of DuPage County. I believe a key critical component of developing and maintaining this relationship is to develop a level of respect and understanding for each other's (the board and the sheriff's department) needs and desires. Maintaining this understanding and working together to resolve differences will foster strong working relationships and promote open communication.

3. Should sheriff's deputies be equipped with body cameras? If so, how should the county pay for them?

Absolutely. Equipping every sheriff's deputy with a body camera will increase transparency and accountability. I will seek state, federal and/or private grants to implement a complete body camera program. Since grants will likely only assist with getting the program implemented by the purchase of equipment and training, I will also explore the possibility of developing a DuPage County Sheriff's Department Law Enforcement Foundation, an independent 501c3, whose sole purpose is to solicit and distribute funds dedicated to key sheriff's department initiatives that focus on improving the safety of all who live, work and visit DuPage County. Lastly, I plan to conduct a review of all administrative and operational functions within the sheriff's department and any savings as a result of organizational changes and implementation of technology will be directed to supporting the body camera program.

4. The sheriff's office has a very poor reputation for dealing with the media and providing public information about crime in unincorporated areas. How would that change if you are elected?

The media is an important partnership with any law enforcement agency. The media has the ability to provide information to the public quickly to aid in a variety of investigations and public service campaigns. If I am elected, I will work to develop a strong working relationship with all media outlets. I will ensure there is a media contact available and/or on-call 24/7 for any media inquiries.

5. Are there enough deputies on the street and are they properly deployed? What changes would you make?

This is a topic that has come up as I meet with residents of DuPage County. A common concern I hear is residents of unincorporated areas do not see the sheriff's department patrol their neighborhoods enough. I can also speak to their concern as I also lived in unincorporated DuPage County for a number of years and rarely saw a sheriff's department patrol vehicle in my neighborhood. If elected sheriff, I will conduct an operational review of all patrol areas statistics, data and the associated resource allocation concepts that are currently in place. Based upon the outcome of that review, I will make operational changes, to include requests for additional personnel if necessary, to ensure all unincorporated areas are adequately patrolled and those who live in unincorporated DuPage feel their police department is highly visible.

6. What role should the sheriff's department play in dealing with the county's opioid crisis?

The sheriff's department needs to be a leader and a partner in combating the county's opioid crisis. In order to be successful in this fight, we must understand that enforcement alone will not solve the opioid epidemic. The sheriff's department needs to continue to be a leader in opioid related public education. We need to develop an aggressive public service education campaign with focuses on teaching the public the dangers of opioids. We need to teach the public how to recognize early signs and symptoms of addiction and the steps they can take to obtain help. We need to educate the public on the importance of properly disposing prescriptions containing opioids after they are no longer needed. We need to continue to teach the public how to administer Narcan.

In addition to an aggressive public education program we need to partner with social services (addiction specialists, crisis workers and mental health specialists) to create a stigma-free environment where people are free from judgment. We need the capabilities to provide immediate, in person referrals by having these professionals on-call and available to respond to a scene.

Lastly, we need to partner with local, county, state and federal resources to aggressively target the supply of illegal drugs and those prescription drugs that are being sold illegally. We must also investigate and prosecute those who are creating and/or using fraudulent prescription scripts. As an agency, we need to use technology and canine teams to enhance enforcement efforts.

7. Please name one current leader who most inspires you.

Carmen Yulín Cruz Soto, Mayor San Juan, Puerto Rico

8. What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?

Being successful requires dedication, hard work and a strong support network from your family.

9. If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?

I would spend more time with family. You can never get back time lost as your children grow up.

10. What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?

Biology - As I have progressed though my career, understanding how different conditions, injuries and incidents affect the mind & body have helped me better understand how delicate human life is.

11. If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?

Dream big. Set high goals and let nothing prevent you from achieving your dreams.