Interesting race for Grafton County Sheriff

[KBCraig]

From the UL article, it sounds like you've got a local racing a retired fed, to see who can procure more funding and power for Grafton County law enforcement, with an emphasis on "targeted funding" for underage drinking, high-tech LE equipment, seatbelt enforcement, etc.

Where's Fisher Money Dollars when we need him? 

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Former+Secret+Service+agent+challenges+Grafton+sheriff&articleId=1684d955-17b7-45e9-9222-0d0bdfb28dd6

Former Secret Service agent challenges Grafton sheriff

Grafton County Sheriff Doug Dutile has a challenger in his bid for reelection next month in Democrat George Morris of Littleton.

Dutile, a native of Lebanon, was elected two years ago following the retirement of longtime Sheriff Charlie Barry. The sheriff's department has 11 full-time deputies, 20 specials and two civilian clerks, as well as 11 full-time dispatchers and 10 part-time. The office dispatches for more than 60 fire, police and rescue departments on both sides of the Connecticut River.

Morris, who moved to Littleton in 1998, is retired from the military and the U.S. Secret Service, where he served for more than 20 years.

Dutile, of North Haverhill, is completing his first term as sheriff. He has been with the Grafton County Sheriff's Department for more than 15 years, after serving 13 years with the Hanover Police Department.

Among his accomplishments over the past two years, Dutile said moving the dispatch center last July from its cramped basement quarters upstairs into the former registry of deeds office was important.

"It was time for that happen," he said.

Dutile also secured a $265,000 grant that paid for an upgrade to fire department and police emergency communications equipment, including a new antenna that makes it easier for police and fire departments to communicate.

Smaller grants received by the department in the past two years include ones targeted at underage drinking, OHRV safety and seat belt enforcement. Additionally, he said, all sheriff's department vehicles are equipped with "Car 54" high technology.

Within the past month, the sheriff's department joined the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, which has a set of requirements departments must meet to receive accreditation. Dutile said Grafton County is the first in the state to join the commission.

"This will give us a higher standard of professionalism," he said, "and meeting the criteria will reduce insurance and liability costs."

If reelected, Dutile said one of his first priorities will be assessing the space needs of the sheriff's department, which ties in with upgrading the security of the complex.

Morris has worked at the registry of deeds for the past four years and prior to that was a bailiff and part-time deputy with the county for three years.

He was prompted to run for sheriff after observing it for several years.

"I don't like the direction it is headed," he said. "It's sliding back in time."

He joined the U.S. Army in 1970 and trained in the military police. He was with the Rhode Island National Guard from 1974 to 1976, before joining the U.S. Secret Service in 1976. He spent eight years on White House duty and nine years on the explosive detection team.

Morris said his priorities if elected would be to "bring up the level" of the sheriff's department, improve training and make changes in courtroom security.

"Something has to change if we are going to have safe courtrooms," he said, adding that he would like to see a full-time sheriff's deputy in each of the two county courtrooms.

The last female deputy was hired 16 years ago and is due to retire soon, he said, and he would make sure that more women are in place.

"It is absolutely critical that we have women on the department," he said.

With his background, Morris said he can "bring a different perspective and new ideas" to the office.

[Pat K]

 

[Spencer]

Did the current sheriff have to lie to get the grant about seatbelt enforcement?

There is no law in NH requiring adults to wear seatbelts.

[KBCraig]

Did the current sheriff have to lie to get the grant about seatbelt enforcement?

There is no law in NH requiring adults to wear seatbelts.

Oh, but it's for the chilllrrren! When applying for the grant, he no doubt pointed out that adults may recklessly drive without belts, but kids must be restrained, so even more officer hours are needed to look for and cite instances of unbelted chilllrrren under 16!

[citizen_142002]

Unbelted children under 18. You can drive at 16, but you have to wear the seatbelt for 2 years.

[John Edward Mercier]

Which one of these two would be considered the fiscal conservative?