Sheriff candidates answer questions

Ernie Griffin
Age:  63
City of residence:  Independence
Previous positions held:  Correctional officer for the City of Kansas City. Reserve officer with Independence Police. Sergeant with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department. Sergeant with the Pleasant Hill Police Department.
Degrees: graduate of William Chrisman High School.
Endorsements: None.

Mike Sharp
Age: 49
City of residence: Kansas City, Mo.
Previous positions held: Police officer, KCPD
Degrees: Central Missouri State University, 1981, Bachelor's in Fire Science with minor in Criminal Justice.
Endorsements: Tom Phillips, Jackson County Sheriff;  Herb Soule, Chief of Police Sugar Creek; G.L. Crystal, retired Lee's Summit Municipal Court & Missouri Circuit Court Judge; Steve Gildehaus, former Mayor Grain Valley; Westport Landing Democratic Club; Grandview Democratic Club; The Four Freedoms Democratic Club; The Greater Kansas City Chapter of Democracy for America; Hispanic Organization for Justice and Equality; Larry Joiner, former Police Chief Kansas City, Missouri; Karen Messerli, Mayor of Lee's Summit


1 What will be the first issue you’ll address as sheriff?
Griffin: We need to address the loss of manpower. In the past month, two officers have left. We’re losing experience with these deputies. We’re going to have to make pay more competitive to retain these officers. It may not be pretty (with the county legislature), but I’ll get up and fight for it.
Sharp: I plan to hit the ground running on several issues, but probably my top countywide priority is the registry of sex offenders. This is a crucial public-safety issue, but getting them registered and keeping the information up-to-date takes time and energy – which I pledge to provide.

2 Assess the recent performance of the Sheriff's Dept. and, if elected, would you keep it on the same direction or change course?
Griffin: There needs to be better leadership within the command staff. I’ll lead the fight with that because I know what needs to be done within the department. Basically, Sheriff Phillips is a lame duck sheriff. That’s what his philosphy has been since he made the decision not to seek re-election.
Sharp: I have great respect for the current sheriff, Tom Phillips, as a lawman; but since we are different people, of course there will be things I plan to do differently. As will appear in answers 3 and 5, I intend to place heavy emphasis on communication and consultation, both inside and outside the sheriff's department. I am a firm believer in cooperation with other agencies to get things done in the public interest. When you call for help, do you really care whether help arrives wearing a blue, brown or green uniform?

3 In what ways will you be working with the Jackson County Legislators to push through your initiatives?
Griffin: I’ll work with them but not for them. We have to have the same goals on stuff and stop the wasteful spending. They need to be appraised of the problems the department is facing.
Sharp: I intend to communicate regularly with all our stakeholders – most especially including the County Legislature – to ensure that the needs and priorities of the sheriff's department are at the top of their minds. For one example, I strongly support County Executive Mike Sanders' initiative for a regional jail, and look forward to working with him in support of that.

4 What do you think is the most important skill of being a good sheriff?
Griffin: There’s two good skills a sheriff must have. The first is leadership. The sheriff has to be a good supervisor. The office is as much of a leader as anything else. The second is being nosey. He needs to know what’s going on or get an overview or briefing from deputies about cases pending. What we need is a cop. We have to solve crimes.
Sharp: Law enforcement experience is crucial, of course, but even more important is management – the ability to work with and set priorities for a large and complex organization. My 18 years as a successful business owner testify to my management and leadership skills.

5 Not many people know Jackson County even has a sheriff. How will you increase the visibility and spotlight on the role of the sheriff?
Griffin: The sheriff should be the county law enforcement leader. But more times than not, other agencies assist the sheriff’s department. The sheriff should be out there in the public and to let people know we’re here for them.
Sharp: In addition to the emphasis on communication discussed above, I believe the sheriff needs an office at the County Courthouse downtown to enable me to be out front for the department, and keep our needs before the Legislature and the public.