Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy, Maj. Chris Lane, is seeking the Republican nomination for sheriff in the upcoming 2022 election.
If elected, Lane, 52, would succeed current Sheriff Matt Myers, who is completing his second term as sheriff and is term limited from running again.
If elected, Lane said his priorities will be for continued, aggressive narcotics enforcement, including possibly expanding JNET efforts to counties surrounding Bartholomew County.
JNET is Bartholomew County’s Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team, made up of the sheriff’s department, the Columbus Police Department and the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office targeting the manufacturing and abuse of dangerous drugs in Columbus and the county.
“What we have accomplished with JNET has been a watershed moment for law enforcement in Columbus and Bartholomew County. I hope we can take the great teamwork with the Columbus Police Department, Indiana State Police, Drug Enforcement Administration and local prosecutors and expand it regionally," he said.
Lane has also been instrumental in the formation and operation of the Bartholomew County Jail’s Drug Treatment program, something as sheriff he plans to continue.
“The success we are seeing with this program is both heart-warming and rewarding as dozens of people have successfully completed more than 400 hours of group and individual drug treatment (while in the jail)," Lane said.
Lane has also worked with Myers to bring body cameras, car cameras,and additional training officers for deputies.
"We will continue to make accountability and transparency the cornerstones of our agency," Lane said. "Our interactions with our community must be ones of trust and honesty," Lane said. "Without community support and involvement in law enforcement, we can’t get the job done."
Lane’s law enforcement career started with the Columbus Police Department where he spent more than 20 years. He was appointed as chief deputy sheriff in 2015.
He graduated from Vincennes University and completed course work at Indiana University and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Lane is a 2018 graduate of the FBI National Academy. In Lane’s role as chief deputy, he has been responsible for the department’s participation in JNET as well as coordinating multi-agency cooperative efforts including the joint City/County SWAT team.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”About Chris Lane” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Age: 52
Occupation: Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department chief deputy, with a rank of major
Education: Vincennes University and completed course work at Indiana University and the Drug Enforcement Administration. A 2018 graduate of the FBI National Academy.
Family: Married, with two sons
[sc:pullout-text-end]
