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Schmidt making an impression Sheriff balances job, politics10/30/2009
Schmidt Sworn in as Sheriff9/30/2009
Schmidt making an impression Sheriff balances job, politics
BENNINGTON - Bennington County Sheriff Chad Schmidt, on the job for about a month, is quickly making his presence known in the community and with the deputies who work for him.
Schmidt, 33, was appointed last month to replace Gary Forrest, who accepted a state retirement incentive. Widely seen as Forrest’s right-hand man for several years, and recommended by Forrest for the job, it was not surprising that Gov. James Douglas picked Schmidt to succeed Forrest.
Now Schmidt must convince the public to elect him based on his own merits in November 2010. And he must balance the duties of the job with the politics.
"I think it’s important in law enforcement that you be able to separate the two," he said "It’s kind of a fine line that you walk, but it’s something that you have to deal with effectively."
Schmidt said he is mindful that he must secure the job for the long term if he is to accomplish all of his goals. "It certainly is on my mind, I think. I knew going in that there were going to be folks that would run, but I think the job consists of being political with people, going out and talking with folks in the community, dealing with problems and issues," Schmidt said during an interview Thursday in his partially renovated office.
A year before the election, one challenger has already stepped forward out of necessity. Bennington Police Officer John Behan will run, but will not be personally campaigning.
Behan will soon be serving with the Vermont Army National Guard in Afghanistan. He said he will entrust family and friends to see to his campaign while he’s away.
More involved ‘day to day’
With the election a year away, Schmidt said he’s focused on settling into the position, putting his command structure in place and making sure his deputies understand his expectations. He envisions himself being "more involved" in day to day details than Forrest had been.
"I’ve got my hand in what’s going on, and I think part of that is because I think the deputies need to understand and realize what my expectations are so I don’t set them up for failure," he said. "If they go out there and do something I don’t approve of, well, it’s kind of my fault if I don’t let them know what the expectation is."
Schmidt said he is taking steps to tighten up operations within the department. He’s installed a test GPS unit in a cruiser that allows him to pinpoint the location of the car. It even sends his Blackberry an alert if the car is speeding.
"I think that I have a responsibility to make sure that my people are supervised. I think that’s really an important function that I have, and this allows me to do that," Schmidt said.
The GPS unit is "a little controversial, probably," Schmidt readily admits. But the towns paying for patrols deserve proof of service, he said.
"It gives me the ability to log on at any time and find out where the cruisers are to make sure that they’re in the towns," Schmidt said. "I want to be able to go to the towns and say, ‘Yes, we’re in the town and here’s the proof.’ Something concrete that I can give them."
The GPS unit isn’t about playing the role of Big Brother, according to Schmidt, but rather accountability. "It’s not that I don’t trust the deputies. Ronald Reagan said it best when he said, ‘Trust, but verify,’" Schmidt said.
If the test unit works, the $500 units could be placed in all of the patrol cars. "I’m gonna have to be creative and find a way to fund that," he said.
Schmidt has also been attending local select board meetings throughout the county to introduce himself and reintroduce the services the department provides. His efforts have netted two new contracts, thanks to a federal COPS grant, which helps offset the cost of police services for towns.
Sunderland has agreed to a 20-hour-per-week contract. The COPS grant will cover the first three years of the contract, and the fourth must be covered by the town.
"If you divide all that up and do all the figures, it’s offering four years of service at an hourly rate of $7.38. So, the town of Sunderland, they voted that night to go back to 20 hours per week."
In addition, Stamford has added an additional 10 hours to an existing 20-hour contract using the COPS program, according to Schmidt. The contracts do not exactly boost revenues, but they provide essential services.
"The department pretty much loses money on patrol work. We’ve always viewed it as a necessity, something that we provide to the towns. It’s a good tool for our officers to get into the communities," Schmidt said. "Many towns don’t have any other place to turn to, so it’s something that we feel we have to do."
A former deputy is also back on the job. Staff Sgt. Andrew Hurley, a 14-year veteran who left the department last year to take a job with the state Department of Corrections, is now serving as the "second in command" until other posts are filled, Schmidt said. He will manage contracts and take charge of other administrative duties.
The department will soon develop mission and vision statements. And Schmidt is trying to develop a battery system for the light bars atop the patrol cars so the department can stop idling cars and reduce its carbon footprint. All of it takes time, and carefully balancing work and family. Schmidt said his wife, Jaime, with whom he has 3-month-old twins, has been very understanding,
Schmidt said he plans to work on improving himself, too. He said he has a "servant leadership" style. "Even though I’m at the top of my organization, I only exist to make sure that all the deputies have what they need to do the job," Schmidt said.
He understands his weaknesses. "I have this ability to get these projects started, but the follow through and the finishing part is sometimes difficult. I think that’s a weakness that I need to build on. It’s great to start something, but you’ve gotta have the follow through," he said.
And he plans to recognize his employees more for the good work they do. While ensuring a smooth operation within the department, he must "still have to be the cheerleader," he said.
Schmidt said he’s still adjusting to the job -- and still getting used to being addressed as "sheriff."
"We all still call Gary the sheriff, and I think he’ll have that title until the time that he passes," Schmidt said. "He’s certainly earned that right."
By: NEAL P. GOSWAMI Featured in The Bennington Banner on 10/30/2009
