Dispatch

The county board has recently discussed the possibility of regionalizing dispatch with Steele and Rice counties.

While Ellis said public safety is the first priority, he said he’d be open to restructuring how dispatch operates, and implementing a 10-hour schedule in the office to save money.

“I don’t want any jobs leaving this county,” Ellis said.

Amazi noted the plan to regionalize dispatch tentatively doesn’t look like it will become a reality after a meeting about the issue on Monday.

“I don’t believe at this time that anything will be moving anywhere,” Amazi said.

Immigration

One issue that’s had a significant effect on the sheriff’s department has been illegal immigration.

“It does have a tremendous impact on the budget in our sheriff’s department,” Amazi said.

Amazi noted that she commonly communicates with Immigration Customs and Customs Enforcement officials on what can be done. However, she said ICE typically only becomes involved after someone is convicted, and the department often holds a prisoner for months.

“We do the best we can with what we have,” she said.

Ellis spoke about a plan he brought for deputies to call an ICE hot line when they encounter illegal immigrants. The plan, he said, was submitted to the county attorney’s office, but hasn’t been implemented.

“There are things we can do,” he said.

Amazi said the ICE policy was discussed with the county attorney’s office, and they determined not to implement it at this time.

Ellis maintained that communication will be a key in correcting the issues stemming from illegal immigration, noting that the line staff and employees need to have a say because they see the effect of the issues on the state.

However, both candidates noted that they are restricted because it’s a federal issue.

“We can only enforce the laws that are on the books,” Ellis said.

.20 Policy

Ellis criticized Amazi for implementing a .20 policy, which calls for inmates to be transferreed Rochester and Albert Lea for detox for safety. He said this policy has cost a significant amount of money.

“What we need to do to protect those people is train the jailers what to look for,” he said.

However, Amazi said the policy was implemented to keep inmates safe, and the decision was made with support from staff and doctors. Along with a new jail, there will also be a new medical company in the new jail. Amazi said they are looking to train jailers to be able to keep inmates for detox at the jail.

10 hour scheduling

Ellis has been a big supporter of implementing a 10-hour schedule in the sheriff’s department. The plan has since been implemented in dispatch and has been discussed with jail staff, though the union is not keen on the idea, Amazi said.

While the plan has been implemented in the dispatch and the with the deputies, Ellis questioned why it took three years for the plan to come to fruition.

When the idea first arose, Amazi said it wasn’t cost-effective. However, she admitted the plan has worked since it started.

The 10-hour schedule overlaps shifts so more deputies are patrolling during the day.

“The 10-hour schedule enhances public safety while reducing costs,” Ellis said.