Sheriff candidates prep for primary race

With five candidates total, Monroe County sheriff is one of the most contested positions in the May 6 local primary.

After five years as chief deputy of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Democrat Mike Pershing has his eyes set on a new position as Monroe County sheriff.

He will run against Democrats Stephen Sharp, Catherine Smith and Brad Swainin the primary and Stephen Hale, the Republican candidate, if he moves on to the general election.

Recently, Pershing has faced scrutiny for a potential scandal in which he was accused of telling one of his sergeants not to arrest a fellow police officer accused of battering his girlfriend in 2012.

“During interviews, both parties provided conflicting stories,” Pershing said in an email to the Indiana Daily Student, in which he responded to a Herald-Times article. “IUPD Chief and I determined the situation was diffused.”

Pershing said he does not plan to let these accusations deter him from running for sheriff. He has more than three decades of experience in law enforcement and administration.

He began his career as an Indiana State Police trooper until he was promoted to sergeant about 24 years later.

In Indianapolis, Pershing worked to combat white-collar crime and political corruption within the FBI, IRS and Indiana State Police. He also worked in narcotics.

“With my background and my experience and my leadership, I can move the office of the sheriff forward and we can accomplish the future goals that we need to accomplish,” Pershing said.

Sharp and Swain also note they have extensive experience in law enforcement on their websites.

Sharp previously worked as chief of police of the Bloomington Police Department and, later, as sheriff of the Monroe County Correctional Facility, according to his campaigning website.

Swain currently serves as a sergeant of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department but previously worked as a jail officer, a road deputy and a detective and lead investigator for a number of homicidal and high-profile investigations, according to his campaign website.

Smith does not have a website and has not been actively campaigning, but she is currently the Monroe County treasurer.

One of Pershing’s primary focuses is reforming the county jail system to keep the number of incarcerated individuals at a manageable level.

“It’s already to that point where we’re using every resource we can to make it functional as long as we can,” Pershing said. “I plan on identifying where the money will come from, without an undue burden on the tax payers, when it comes time to build a new facility.”

Swain said in a press release jail management is also a priority for him.

“Alternative sentencing options will be necessary to maintain a legal inmate population,” he said in the release. “Working with the courts, probation and social services, we will ensure we meet the letter of the law.”

Sharp’s campaigning website does not indicate his stance on jail management and over-incarceration. 

Pershing said he plans to continue to work closely with the Bloomington Police Department to provide any necessary services, even in areas that are not his
jurisdiction.

He said he supports what Bloomington Police Department Chief Mike Diekhoff has done to confront the issue of homelessness in Bloomington.

Diekhoff gave six officers the task of being downtown resource officers for people experiencing homelessness.

Swain primarily hopes to focus on patrolling an appropriate number of road deputies to decrease delays for basic police services, according to a press release.

He also wants to ensure all deputies are appropriately physically fit.

All of the Democratic candidates will compete against one another in the May 6 primaries.

Hale, the Republican candidate, will run on the Republican ballot
unopposed.

The general election is Nov. 4.