Thread: Howard Co. Sheriff race

Originally Posted by scca vette

WOW with all the negative things on here about all the guys that "might" run for the position, maybe a no name should run that nobody already has stories about. LOL

Out of the list of people that have been mentioned I have talked with Rich ferguson a few times and he seemed to be a really nice guy and very knowledgable. Have had any conversations with the rest of the names mentioned.

Vette unfortunately the campaign does turn negative after the names are announced and it becomes a dog eat dog competition. The reason I started this thread is because of all the grumbling and premature worrying going on at the SD right now. No one has officially filed or put any groups together as of yet! The names I mentioned are the names being thrown out as potential candidates and by word of mouth from the persons named.

The candidates start putting there names out early to seek support and enhance their public image.We have seen some Sheriffs with poor management and people skills over the last few years which is a trend that needs broken.

This gives SD employees a place to discuss their feelings and concerns about potential and actual candidates. Hang on because when the candidates announce I'm sure posters will come out of the closet with their opinions. I have been told there is already a group of several officers and CO's who will send some information to NIK and the press should certain individuals decide to run.

I have enough faith in John and Pati that they will keep the facts on this thread cleaned up and not let poster turn this into a slaughter festival.

In talking with several KPD guys (good career guys) they all talk very highly of the guy from miami county. They said they worked with him when he ran the drug task force and he helped them with tons of good cases here. He then went on to the chief job in Peru. Now he is retired and runs his businesses. But the rumor is that he is going to run for Shreiff. They all hoped he would come over here and run one of our departments, he has lots of friends here and loads of respect. I dont know if Kokomo is ready for someone outside our community though.

Originally Posted by Baby Boomer

I like Tom as a person and he was always upfront with me in our dealings. The only concern I would have with Tom making Sheriff is I feel the employees will be dealing with the same mentality they now have with Talbert. Marty came in with the theory he could remold the SD to his way of thinking, which failed miserably. DiNardo is some what of a neat freak with total control overtones. Granted he has administrative experience but the same tactics he learned under Rick’s and Rudolph will not work at another agency.
The Sheriffs department is in desperate need of someone with police administrative experience, who is even keel and willing to listen to ideas from his employees. I'm not saying the Sheriff needs to be everyone’s friend, we need a Sheriff who genuinely cares about his employees and the public.

Your idea below is good in theory but will fail.


A Sheriff or police Chief needs to have a law enforcement background in order to properly do the job and efficiently manage a department and it's large budget. I for one would agree that it would be beneficial to see a Chief or Sheriff from another county or another state take the helm at both departments. The problem we are seeing on a regular basis is administrators with stale ideas on how to fix the problems. In the case of the Sheriffs, past and present, they work for the first four years then after winning the second term the become lazy. So basically its a free ride for the last four years because they don't have to worry about who they impress. Take a look back at the last three Sheriffs and you will see the pattern is textbook.

Yesterday I noticed that Lt. Greg Hargrove's name was thrown out as a possible candidate and it drew some negative responses. I have been told that Lt. Hargrove does have ambitions of running for Sheriff in the distant future but is undecided. Greg has done a good job of running the Criminal Investigation Section, but he lacks in upper level administrative skills at this time.

My suggestion to all brother and sister law enforcement is to get behind a worthy candidate who can effectively and fairly operate the department.

In order to run for sheriff you have to be a resident of Howard County for a rpescribed period of time, not sure how long it is.

Whenever anyone's name is mentioned on this forum the attack dogs come out. That is why I think Kokomo PD Chief's and Sheriff's should be advertised for and hired, period. It is done all across the US. Then and only then is a truly qualified individual put at the helm that none of the officers have a relationship with and they can then build a relationship on trust. The way it is now, no one trusts anyone, because they are all in it for themselves. You have a mayor who has appointed individuals with the least amount of experience, family and individuals who have been dismissed for breaking the rules, including flunking drug tests. One is still in her position. There is no precedent set except political favors. Until we get away from this things will never change.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Whenever anyone's name is mentioned on this forum the attack dogs come out. That is why I think Kokomo PD Chief's and Sheriff's should be advertised for and hired, period. It is done all across the US. Then and only then is a truly qualified individual put at the helm that none of the officers have a relationship with and they can then build a relationship on trust. The way it is now, no one trusts anyone, because they are all in it for themselves. You have a mayor who has appointed individuals with the least amount of experience, family and individuals who have been dismissed for breaking the rules, including flunking drug tests. One is still in her position. There is no precedent set except political favors. Until we get away from this things will never change.

Sheriff is a elected position in America not appointed. The Chief is a appointed position.

If the Chiefs postion was advertised, who would choose him? I would fall back to commitees that all some way have political roots. The public should be able vote to elect the Sheriff and Chief.

That is why I think Kokomo PD Chief's and Sheriff's should be advertised for and hired, period. It is done all across the US. Then and only then is a truly qualified individual put at the helm that none of the officers have a relationship with and they can then build a relationship on trust. The way it is now, no one trusts anyone, because they are all in it for themselves.

Could you imagine having a Chief that wasn't a hand picked yes man, that would be a great day at KPD. I honestly believe that is the only way KPD will be pulled out of the political rut it is now stuck in. A Mayor in this town wouldn't know how to act if we had a real Police Chief that was able to think on his own and say no.

Originally Posted by Baby Boomer

Could you imagine having a Chief that wasn't a hand picked yes man, that would be a great day at KPD. I honestly believe that is the only way KPD will be pulled out of the political rut it is now stuck in. A Mayor in this town wouldn't know how to act if we had a real Police Chief that was able to think on his own and say no.

The sheriff is the highest elected official in the county. The sheriff needs to run the law enforcement in the county.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

The sheriff is the highest elected official in the county. The sheriff needs to run the law enforcement in the county.

Great idea but could you imagine Marty trying to deal with KPD, he would have a nervous break down before his term ended.

The sheriff has no statute authority over any other law enforcement officer in any county, that is an old wise tale. AS a matter of fact a little known fact is that the county coroner has the state authorized authority to arrest the sheriff in cases of criminal wrong doing. The sheriff is elected to over see the Sheriff department and fulfill court duties.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

The sheriff is the highest elected official in the county. The sheriff needs to run the law enforcement in the county.