Republican primary for Boone County Sheriff features three-way battle
Former Rockford police officer Oda Poole, Rockford police officer Brian Wadsworth and Boone County Sheriff’s Lt. Scott Yunk are in a three-way race to be the Republican candidate for Boone County Sheriff this fall.
The trio of candidates will square off in the June 28 primary election. The winner of the general election Nov. 8 will succeed retiring Boone County Sheriff Dave Ernest.
Each candidate was asked to outline three key issues of their campaign and how they would address them if elected. Here are their responses.
Name: Oda Poole
Age: 50
City of Residence: Belvidere
Education: Rockford Jefferson High School; A.A. Rock Valley College; B.A. Northern Illinois University (Major: Sociology; Minor: Southeast Asian Studies)
Work Experience: Rockford Police Department, 2004-2019 (Medal of Honor, State of Illinois; Lifesaving Award, City of Rockford; Recognized as officer of Area 7, largest reduction in crime, 2009).
Metropolitan Police Department, Washington D.C., 2000-2004 (Civil Disturbance Unit; Community Services Officer; 2002 Officer of the Year 4th District; Officer of the Month 4th District, July 2001, April 2003, May 2003, June 2003, October 2003, January 2004)
Political Experience: none
Organizations and memberships: none
Family: Wife of 21 years, Robin Poole. Three children: Cameron, 19; Jenna, 18; Lauren, 15
What do you believe are the three most pressing issues pertaining to the Boone County Sheriff's Office and what would you do to address them?
Perception: Some residents have expressed feeling forgotten or ignored by the sheriff’s department. I will meet with the citizens and listen to their concerns and praises of the department and consider it all when allocating resources.
Manpower: Finding and retaining qualified candidates to serve with the sheriff’s department is difficult. Current vacancies will be compounded by upcoming anticipated retirements. I plan to review duties throughout the department, and where practical and necessary, reallocate duties.
Mental Health: There is a mental health crisis in our region with which available services cannot keep up. Boone County is making strides addressing this crisis through task forces and community services partnered with law enforcement. As sheriff, I will support continued dedication to these efforts. Further, I will prioritize allocating department resources to supporting the well-being of all the individuals who serve with the Boone County Sheriff’s Department during these trying times.
Name: Brian Wadsworth
Age: 40
City of Residence: Belvidere
Education: Immediately after graduating from high school entered the U.S. Marines Corps.
Work Experience: Rockford Police Department for the past 15 years where I have served on multiple special units such Honor Guard, field training officer, ATV Unit and Bomb Squad.
Political Experience: None
Organizations and memberships: Board of the Belvidere Cosmopolitan Club, coached youth baseball at Belvidere Youth Baseball for the past 6 years. Previously served on the board of ministry at New Life Lutheran Church in Rockford.
Family: Wife, Kay, and three children
What do you believe are the three most pressing issues pertaining to the Boone County Sheriff's Office and what would you do to address them?
I believe some of the pressing issues in Boone County are the steady rise in crime, morale in the department and low staffing issues.
I have seen first hand the crime that is on the rise in Boone County. Criminals have become increasingly bold as they commit crime in Boone County. We have seen a dramatic increase in armed robberies, shootings and murders in the recent past.
Boone County has top-notch employees and we, as a community, need them to continue to serve us. I have been in contact with employees of the Boone County sheriff's department who have informed me that there are deputies looking elsewhere for employment due to the low morale and working conditions. There is little to no support for employees who have encountered traumatic situations while on duty and need help. The sheriff's department is infested by the “good ol' boys” who exclude any employee who speaks out against them or is not 100% on board with their ideas. This is not a good environment for the employees, or citizens of Boone County, and it is going to change when I become sheriff. We should not have to settle for more of the same.
The current sheriff can not find enough new employees to fill shifts. I know it is a challenging time for all who are looking for employees right now. I will create a program to retain our current employees and to draw in quality new employees. I will do everything I can to attract the best employees and to keep the amazing employees we currently have. Boone County has the best citizens around and they deserve the best service by the best employees.
Name: Scott Yunk
Age: 56
City of residence: Poplar Grove
Education: Belvidere High School, Rock Valley College, UW La Crosse, Illinois State Police Academy, Northwestern Illinois University Police Staff and Command
Work experience: Boone County Sheriff Deputy, 1988 -1993; Boone County Sheriff Detective, 1993-1999; Boone County Sheriff Patrol Sergeant, 1999-2006; Boone County Sheriff Sergeant of Investigations 2006-2018; Boone County Sheriff Lieutenant of Operations 2018 - Present
Political experience: Precinct committeeman
Organizations and memberships: Current: St. Stephens Catholic Church, Belvidere YMCA Board of Directors, Belvidere Rotary Club, Belvidere Moose Club board member, Moose Legion Service Club, Kishwaukee Pheasants Forever, Boone/Winnebago County Farm Bureau, LeRoy Community Grange, Boone County Fair Livestock Auction Committee board member, Boone County Turkey Federation. Prior: Cosmopolitan Club, Belvidere Hoops Club, Ducks Unlimited Club, Boone County Soil and Water, Belvidere High School Boys Basketball Coach,1993-1998; North Boone High School Boys Basketball Coach, 2011-2016; North Boone Youth Basketball president, 2008-2014.
Family: Married 30 years to wife, Debbie, with three sons: Skyler 24, Mason 22 and Connor 20
What do you believe are the three most pressing issues pertaining to the Boone County Sheriff's Office and what would you do to address them?
No Cash Bail Law effective Jan. 1. The new law will present a significant change in policing especially for multiple divisions of sheriff’s department.
I will continue development and implementation of intensive training for all divisions by:
Collaborating with Northern Illinois Training Board for education resource development.
Partnering with judges and states attorney to establish staff guidance on implementation.
Establishing communication to build public awareness and understanding.
Staffing. Achieving and maintaining adequate staffing in patrol, corrections and dispatch in order to maintain public safety. I will:
Collaborate with Boone County Board and the sheriff's department's union to maintain competitive compensation.
Focus ongoing training that allows staff to continually grow and develop.
Pursue lateral transfers and secure training slots at academies to expedite hiring that will enable adequate patrol zone coverage.
Mental Health Crisis. The nationwide crisis affects all divisions of the sheriff’s department. I will:
Collaborate with our Boone County Taskforce and community officer to understand community needs and develop proactive solutions and interventions.
Provide ongoing training and resources that help officers safely handle situations with the ability to refer to mental health professionals in order to provide optimal outcome for citizens.
Chris Green: 815-987-1241; cgreen@rrstar.com; @chrisfgreen
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Recruiting and retention an issue for Boone County sheriff candidates
