Delano Herald Journal

Serving the communities of Delano, Loretto, Montrose, MN, and the surrounding area

Shouting match erupts at Lester council meeting



Steve Soeffker | Scott Stumpf | Wayne Vinkemeier


1) What are your qualifications for being McLeod County
Sheriff?

Biographical information:

Steve Soeffker, 48, of 13087 Major Ave, Glencoe.

Fiancee is Linda Lindberg. Parents are Jack and Lura Mae
Beckwith

I have 24 years experience in law enforcement: 1973-1977,
part time with McLeod County Sheriff’s Department; 1977-1979, chief of police,
Sanborn, Minn.; 1979-1997, deputy sheriff, McLeod County.

I am a graduate of Glencoe High School, class of 1968.

I am a licensed peace officer in the state of Minnesota.
I completed the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Basic Police Science Course
in 1977.

During my 24 years, I have attended numerous police training
courses involving both patrol and investigation studies.

I have served McLeod County in the patrol, investigation
and communication divisions. I have experience in budget preparation and
administrative duties as chief of police in Sanborn.

My family, Marsh and Dibb, was established in McLeod County
in the 1880s, and I have been a county resident, except for about four years,
my entire life.

This has allowed me to become familiar with the residents
and their needs. I am committed to providing the residents with a sheriff’s
department that responds to their needs.

While serving as a deputy sheriff, I was involved in many
law enforcement groups, including the Sheriff’s Emergency Response Unit,
where I served as a crisis negotiator, McLeod County Child Protection Team,
McLeod County Child Abuse Prevention Council, International Association
of Arson Investigators, International Association of Auto Theft Investigators,
U.S. Hostage Negotiators Association.

In l995, I received a certificate of appreciation form
the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for “Outstanding Contributions
to Minnesota Law Enforcement” for my work in resolving a 1959 death.

2) What are the main issues facing the sheriff’s department,
and how would you address those issues?

I feel one of the main issues facing the sheriff’s department
is the large turnover of employees. McLeod County has gone from a leader
to a training ground for other departments.

Current employees and those who have left the department
need to be interviewed to determine why they left. Some concerns may not
be able to be changed, but with a new administration taking office, now
is the time to find and fix the problem.

Training new people, only to have them leave, is a large
expense to the county. We need to retain the quality people we employ.

A second issue is the combined communication plan. Without
the study available at this time, it is difficult to address this important
concern.

Prior to making a decision on a combined facility, we need
to address the condition of the present system, and how to improve it.

A concern to me is will there be a back-up system as we
now have? Will there be a person available at the LEC after hours or will
the lobby be locked? Who will control the communications center? Are the
residents of the county, and the public safety persons who rely on the system
getting the best system for their needs?

I feel these are major concerns for a new administration,
and need to be answered.

Juvenile crime is a concern. We are seeing more serious
and violent crimes being committed by our youth. The sheriff’s department
needs to work with the local law enforcement agencies to become more aware
of youth activity.

Also, sharing information with neighboring jurisdictions
on youth activities will give us insight to other problems so we can be
prepared to address them in a proper manner.

Involvement by deputies with youth in a positive manner
may prevent serious involvement later. This can be accomplished through
simple communication skills.

3) What are your long-term goals for the sheriff’s department?

The first goal as your sheriff will be to make the sheriff
accessible to the public. You should not need an appointment to see the
sheriff.

Granted, there are times when I would not be available
due to other commitments, but I plan on being a visible sheriff, in the
cities and townships, daytime and nights.

A second goal would be the retention of employees. Better
communication and sharing of information with local law enforcement agencies
will benefit in resolving criminal activity. All officers need to work for
the same goal, apprehension and prevention of criminal activity.

Increasing positive involvement of the department in the
rural community is needed. This could be accomplished through an expanded
“block party” idea for townships in the county.

Increased training for the deputies, and the possibility
of deputies specializing in an area to aid in the training of others. I
also feel more cooperative training with the emergency response agencies
in the county is needed. In the case of a major incident, we all need to
know each other’s responsibilities and limits.


1) What are your qualifications for being McLeod County
Sheriff?

I hold an associate degree in law enforcement and will
bring to the office of sheriff, 12 years of experience, all of which has
been served in McLeod County.

In those 12 years, I served five years as a patrol officer
and the last seven as a criminal investigator.

I am a certified instructor of the drug and alcohol awareness
program, “CounterACT,” which I initiated in the Glencoe school
system in 1990, and which continues today to educate children on the dangers
of drugs and alcohol.

I am a certified instructor in defensive tactics, which
includes the expandable baton and subject control. I have used this certification
to train the Glencoe Police Department, other agencies within the county,
as well as community organizations and facilities.

I am the team leader for the Glencoe Police Department’s
Emergency Response Team. I was chosen, by my fellow officers at the Glencoe
Police Department, to represent them as union steward.

I served six years on the Glencoe Ambulance Service and
held the position of vice president.

I am a board member of the Glencoe Community Drug Task
Force, the McLeod County Children Are the Responsibility of Everyone (CARE)
Council, and Aveyron Homes, Inc. of Hutchinson.

I am a member of the Glencoe Lions Club and active with
the McLeod Alliance for Victims of Domestic Violence. I am a member of the
Minnesota Peace and Police Officers Association (MPPOA), Minnesota Sex Crimes
Investigators Association (MSCIA) and Minnesota Special Operations Training
Association or SWAT training (MSOTA).

I am willing to personally address issues and differences
with the goal of reaching a resolution. I am able to recognize when change
and improvements are necessary and appropriate.

My administration will be impartial and diversified. With
effective leadership and administrative skills, I will make time to step
out from behind my desk and serve the people of McLeod County.

I will enhance communication with the public by providing
updated information via newspapers and radio. This will be done through
open line radio shows and regular newspaper articles addressing current
issues and concerns.

An open door policy will be implemented and county officials,
public, and department staff at all levels will be able and encouraged to
meet with me as needed.

I am a certified SCUBA diver in advanced open water, ice
diving and search and recovery. My interest in diving motivated me to establish
a countywide dive team.

I initiated contact with the McLeod County Fire Chiefs
Association and after obtaining their support, a team was formed, trained
and certified in search and recovery. Members of the team come from throughout
the county.

This team was formed and trained without the use of tax
dollars. This is one example of the services that can be provided when joint
cooperation is obtained from various resources within the county.

It is my intention to develop further programs which will
broaden the scope of services available to the people of McLeod County.

2) What are the main issues facing the sheriff’s department,
and how would you address those issues?

Law enforcement faces many challenges as we approach the
year 2000. Adult and juvenile crimes, including drug trafficking and abuse,
assaults, thefts and damage to property, will, unfortunately, always be
an issue with law enforcement.

A current issue within the county is dispatch consolidation.
(Combining McLeod County’s and the city of Hutchinson’s dispatch centers.)

This is a matter which could greatly impact the public
both financially and through the quality of service they receive from law
enforcement and other emergency services such as fire and ambulance.

However, the public has not been adequately informed of
the pros and cons regarding a consolidation. A consolidation deserves consideration,
but needs to be researched thoroughly. The end result must be better services
for the people of McLeod County.

3) What are your long-term goals for the sheriff’s department?

It is the goal of all law enforcement to prevent crimes
and create a safer community for the people which we serve. One of my goals,
as sheriff, is to take a proactive approach to crime prevention instead
of a reactive approach.

One area I want to address is juvenile crime. The seriousness
of the crimes committed by juveniles is on the rise, while the age of the
offender continues to be younger. All of us have either been affected, or
know someone else who has been affected by senseless juvenile crimes such
as theft and damage to property. Your child’s bike was stolen, someone destroyed
your neighbor’s vegetable garden, or your mailbox was smashed for the third
time.

These crimes may not be all that serious to some, but if
left unpunished, these offenders often end up being the people who steal
your car, burglarize your home, or harm you personally.

I would like to implement a program which takes a proactive
approach to juvenile crimes. This program is called family juvenile conferencing.

All too often, the juveniles who commit the aforementioned
crimes are 8, 9, or 10 years of age. Because of their age and the fact that
it is often the first or second time they’ve been caught, they never see
court or probation and often go through “the system” without any
consequences for their actions.

The age of the offender and severity of the crime determine
whether or not family juvenile conferencing is an option.

With family juvenile conferencing, the juvenile, his or
her parents, the victim, and a law enforcement officer sit down to try and
resolve the matter without the use of a courtroom.

The two parties involved must agree to the conference and
law enforcement acts as a mediator. The juvenile must face the victim and
offer an explanation for his or her actions.

All parties involved then decide on a fair punishment for
the juvenile offender, which may include replanting the vegetable garden
or buying and installing a new mailbox.

This program puts accountability back on the juvenile and
his or her parents and makes the offender face consequences he or she may
not have otherwise had.

If the matter cannot be resolved the case is then sent
through criminal court.


1) What are your qualifications for being McLeod County
Sheriff?

I have a solid combination of education and experience,
giving me a strong foundation to efficiently and effectively manage and
lead all divisions of the McLeod County Sheriff’s Department.

I have a four-year bachelor of science degree (with honors)
in criminal justice/sociology from St. Cloud State University and also received
training through the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

I am certified by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officers
Standards and Training. I have 21 years of law enforcement experience and
am a 19-year veteran of the McLeod County Sheriff’s Department, having served
as a patrolman, detective and detective sergeant.

I am currently second in command of the sheriff’s department,
serving as lieutenant and supervising over 50 personnel in the areas of
patrol, investigation, civil process, EMS, corrections, dispatch, clerical
and food services. I also oversee the Sheriff’s Posse.

I have conducted major felony investigations including
homicides, burglary, fraud, arson and criminal sexual assault. I participated
in child protection investigations for over 15 years.

I am experienced in budget preparation, implementing policy
and procedure, payroll preparation, authorizing expenditures, and conducting
performance evaluations.

I am also involved in the process of hiring new employees.
I demonstrate the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to lead the
sheriff’s department to provide progressive law enforcement services for
the residents of McLeod County.

2) What are the main issues facing the sheriff’s department,
and how would you address those issues?

I see the major issues facing the sheriff’s department
and the possible ways to address them to include the following:

– We must come to a decision concerning the recent study
centering on the most effective means to provide E-911 dispatch services
to residents of McLeod County. We are searching to find the most cost effective
way of providing these services without sacrificing the quality of services
deserved and expected by the residents of McLeod County.

The McLeod County Sheriff’s Department, the Hutchinson
Police Department, the Hutchinson City Council and the McLeod County Board
of Commissioners, aided by a hired consultant, will address this issue by
compiling facts, professional opinions, research studies, and public input
in order to make a sound and effective decision.

– We must continue to seek to hire and retain qualified
and dedicated sheriff’s department staff that are sensitive and responsive
to the needs of county residents.

I will seek to promote an increasingly high degree of professional
morale, a continuous review of progressive wages/benefit compensation, and
a timely addition of modern equipment to the various divisions of the sheriff’s
department. All expenditures must be in an orderly and well planned manner
in order to make the best use of our tax dollars while providing quality
levels of service.

– Another issue involves handling the increasing crime
in McLeod County that is correlated to the population growth rate.

I seek to focus law enforcement resources on the areas
of community policing and collaboration with education and other departments
and agencies. Community involvement and awareness are key factors in the
prevention cycle. I will expect sheriff’s department personnel to be responsive,
fair and professional in dealing with victims and offenders.

– The year 2000 accelerates the need to be technologically
ready. The sheriff’s department will accomplish this goal by working with
the Information Systems (IS) Department and outside agencies designed to
ease this transition.

3) What are your long-term goals for the sheriff’s department?

I see the following long-term goals of the sheriff’s department
to include the following:

– We must concentrate on developing an increased working
relationship with the residents of the county by expanding the community
policing program.

I want to work on “Partnerships for Safe Communities.”
I will concentrate on special community based crime prevention projects.
Together, law enforcement and the community can make a difference.

– The sheriff’s department, along with the county commissioners,
must develop a revised controlled environment for moving inmates from the
current detention facility to the courtroom.

In conjunction with this goal, we must also provide an
increased safe environment within the courtroom for judicial personnel and
the public.

– With the increasing numbers of court-ordered Huber (work
release) inmates, it will be necessary to plan for additional bed space
within the system.

– I pledge that the sheriff’s department will continue
to provide progressive, efficient and effective law enforcement services
through and for the residents of McLeod County.

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