The Nov. 6 general election will determine whether incumbent Jennings County Sheriff Gary Driver, a Democrat, retains his position, or whether Republican challenger William Kenny Freeman takes over the job next year.
The Republic asked both candidates a series of questions, which are listed below with their responses.
Substance abuse is a serious issue for communities nationwide — such as opioid addiction. How can the sheriff’s department help curb addiction and what steps should be taken locally?
Freeman: The sheriff’s department can’t and shouldn’t be expected to curb the addiction problem by itself. It will take the entire community to battle this with a long-term strategic plan. I would like to lead a problem-solving exercise in order to develop a plan to help curb the addiction problem.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
Driver: IC 36-2-13-5 clearly defines the duties of sheriff, of which prevention is not listed. Police presence may be a deterrent, but true prevention is a separate and bigger issue. The sheriff needs the help of committed community members and agencies to understand the physiology of addiction and address this problem.
How does drug addiction impact the ability of the sheriff’s department to provide medical services jail inmates need for their physical and mental health?
Driver: The jail is not equipped to be a mental health facility. However, medical and mental health experts are on staff to ensure that proper medications are dispensed and treatment is available. Staffing and services have increased to accommodate those needs, but funds do not allow for rehabilitation-type treatment.
Freeman: The jail has limited services for mental health and physical health. I am not sure that drug addiction has anything to do with services the sheriff’s department can provide. I think the population is high due to drug-related crimes. A high population would stress or stretch the limited medical services.
What challenges does the sheriff’s department face in attracting and retaining deputies, and to what extent do pay and benefits factor in?
Freeman: Pay is number one in retention of deputies. The city pays more than the county. Some past deputies have moved to city police. Attracting new deputies wouldn’t be as big of an issue. A young person that wanted to become a police officer doesn’t care where they start.
Driver: The downward spiral of our society is making a deputy’s job more demanding, difficult and dangerous. There is no fair monetary compensation for the daily risk that deputies take by literally putting their life on the line. Jennings County deputies are some of the lowest paid in the state.
Besides the issues stated in the previous questions, what else do you consider to be serious issues facing the sheriff’s department and how should they be addressed?
Driver: Suicide is on the rise. Officers often become negotiators, while still protecting others and themselves in volatile situations. Officers need additional training, which requires money and manpower to cover shifts. Currently, there are times when two officers are protecting and serving our 27,000 citizens in over 600 miles of road.
Freeman: We need a path to success for criminals once they leave jail. This has to begin in jail — a corrections program to get them back into the workforce. What we have is a housing project. I want to focus on root causes, crime prevention, getting drug dealers and manufactures.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”The Freeman file” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Who: Wm. Kenny Freeman
Age: 53
Education: Associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Occupation: Environmental, health and safety director at Decatur Plastic Products; also compliance officer. Previously a prison guard in Delaware. Retired lieutenant colonel in the Army National Guard.
Family: Karen Lea-Freeman; children, Corey, Bryianna, Thomas and Nick.
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”The Driver file” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Who: Gary Michael Driver
Age: 53
Occupation: Jennings County sheriff, 2015-present. North Vernon Police Department, 1993-2014.
Education: Graduated from Jennings County High School, 1983. Graduated from Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, 1995.
Family: Wife, Mary (Schindel) Driver; children, Adam and Rebecca.
[sc:pullout-text-end]
