1. Why are you seeking elected office? What are your strengths and weaknesses as they apply to the skills needed to serve in this office?
D. Scott Bowling (R): I have several reasons why I am seeking the office of sheriff. I want to keep Brown County safe for us to raise our families. I have two young children and I want them to grow up in a safe community as I did. It has always been a dream of mine to end my career as sheriff of this great community. I have 22 years of law enforcement experience serving this community all out on the road. I feel like I understand what the people living here value and their concerns. I have always been honest with people and tell them the truth, not just what they want to hear. If I must point out a weakness it would be that I am generally a shy person around people that I don’t know, but I am quickly working through that as I campaign.
Brad Stogsdill (R): The office of sheriff has been a personal career goal since my career in law enforcement began 33 years ago. Serving and protecting my community has always been important to me and I will continue doing so should I be elected sheriff. After 33 years of training and first hand experience in many roles, I have developed the skills and knowledge necessary to lead the department at the highest level. As the current chief deputy, second in command, I have gained the leadership skills necessary to lead the department and fulfill the office of sheriff. Ever changing technology is not my strong suit, but I am committed to continue learning and surrounding myself with people that can assist the department and myself in this area.
Chad Williams (R): The decision to run for sheriff means hard work and sacrifices for my family. Their support and love for our community made this decision possible. It’s been my goal for the last 15 years to become the sheriff of Brown County. I am a leader and have been to numerous trainings. I am an instructor in several different areas of training. I used to be timid when speaking in large groups, but after taking trainings in instructing, they taught me how to be confident while speaking to large groups. I am a sergeant/shift supervisor, and I know how the department operates and the needs within the sheriff’s department and the needs of the citizens of this county. I want to give Brown County the best coverage we can with the manpower we have.
2. What are your top three priorities for this office, and how would you address them?
Bowling: 1. Drug enforcement. Not only would it be a top priority for all officers, but I will dedicate an officer/detective to working drugs as their prime focus. I would also encourage all officers to keep a close eye on the areas we hear about often and to show our presence there as much as possible. 2. Communication within all departments. I will have regular staff meetings with department heads to discuss any new information or issues that may arise to make sure everyone is on the same page. 3. Work with the commissioners, prosecutor and judge to write tickets under a county ordinance so Brown County could receive the majority of the money from a traffic ticket, instead of the state.
Stogsdill: My top priority is the safety of our community. I am committed to providing continuing education and training for all of our staff so they are able to perform their jobs in a safe and effective manner. This will keep both our officers and our community as safe as possible. My second priority is fighting the addiction issues facing our community. I will work to provide services for those suffering from addictions within our jail to help break the addiction cycle and reduce harm to the community. My third priority is to foster a better relationship between the community, law enforcement, and other first responders. I will accomplish this by being a visible leader, practicing transparency and maintaining fairness for all citizens.
Williams: The first thing I would like to accomplish is to interact with the community on a bi-annual basis by having town hall meetings to find out the needs and concerns in those particular areas. Second, I would like to write grants in order to purchase equipment that is much needed for the jail and for the deputies in order for them to perform their jobs safely. Third, I would like to get officers more involved in the schools and possibly obtaining a grant for a second school resource officer to focus on the elementary schools. This is a two-fold, when school is not in session that gives us another officer on patrol for the county.
3. Rank strongly disagree to strongly agree: It is important to fund public safety positions with social work/counseling backgrounds to work in the sheriff’s department in areas that involve mental health issues or addiction.
Bowling: Agree. I agree that it would be important to have a position of that nature within the sheriff’s office if it could be funded with a grant. It would be an asset to help people with mental health/addiction issues. I believe that in some cases jail is not the answer for them and that they need other types of services.
Stogsdill: Strongly agree. There is currently a new position being created in the jail that bridges the gap between the inmates and the services available to them. They will work with inmates on an individual basis to connect them to services necessary to improve mental health and fight addiction issues.
Williams: Agree. Our deputies have some training in the area of mental health and addiction, but not as much as a mental health professional. It would be a great asset to have someone in the sheriff’s office trained in that area to work with people with mental health and addiction. Funding is sometimes difficult to obtain but if we could acquire more training for the deputies, that would be more practical. Where deputies might see someone committing a crime, a mental health professional might see someone calling out for help. More training for deputies would prove beneficial.
4. Rank strongly disagree to strongly agree: Racial justice is an important consideration in policing.
Bowling: Agree. I agree that racial justice is important in policing. I believe there is no room for racial discrimination or politics in law enforcement and that everyone should be treated equal and fairly in the eyes of the law.
Stogsdill: Strongly agree. I am committed to the safety of everyone that calls Brown County home. I will work to protect the rights of all individuals.
Williams: Agree. As law enforcement officers, we need to ensure that every citizen regardless of race, sex or religion, receives equal protection under law. Any type of racism at the Brown County Sheriff’s Office will not be tolerated.
5. Within the department, would you support developing a policy of diversity, equity and inclusion for department employees? Why or why not?
Bowling: I would be for developing such a policy. I want all the current and future employees of the sheriff’s office to be treated fairly and feel comfortable in the workplace. I think employees that feel empowered and comfortable in the workplace are more inclined to give their best performance and work as a team. Everyone deserves to be heard, respected and have access to the same advancement opportunities across the board. If elected sheriff, I will ensure an equal playing field for opportunity and advancement for people from all backgrounds.
Stogsdill: Brown County’s personnel handbook clearly defines our stance on maintaining diversity, equity and rights for all Brown County employees. As sheriff I stand to maintain this practice in the future.
Williams: These three aspects are equally important in policing and ethical decision making while on the job. I would not be opposed to a policy, if needed, that coincides with the current trainings that we have that are mandated by the state.
