“This is my territory,” Knight says in defiance of gangs. “It only makes good sense when providing for public safety to use law enforcement, as opposed to some knucklehead off the street who doesn’t have the training or knowledge of the law.”
But Democratic sheriff candidate Jeff Regan says Sangamon County Sheriff Neil Williamson is showing “blatant disregard for the law” by not having such arrangements approved by the county board. Regan asserts that state law requires the sheriff, as the county’s “supervisor of safety,” to advise the county board of all private contracts utilizing sworn deputies.
“These deputies, while fine individuals, are working under no formal contract and without any county board oversight while utilizing taxpayer-paid vehicles, uniforms and service weapons,” Regan says. “This is not the individual deputies’ fault, but rather a glaring mismanagement of county taxpayer resources due to the total disregard of state law by the sheriff, who is leaving the county board completely out of the required process.”
Private businesses, schools, hospitals and other entities that use deputies for security or traffic management are supposed to pay the county rather than the deputies, Regan says, and the county then pays deputies.
Williamson dismisses Regan’s charge, saying Regan has misunderstood the law, which Williamson says only applies to deputies performing traffic management.
“It’s baloney,” Williamson says of Regan’s assertion. “He has totally misread and didn’t comprehend what the duties of supervisor of safety are for the county. This only has to do with traffic laws and has nothing to do with employment or off-duty deputies. Deputies who are working anywhere in the county have nothing to do with the powers and duties of the supervisor of safety. He’s accusing me of dereliction of duty.”
In the past, Regan has criticized Williamson as lacking “professional protocol” on the use of Tasers and other issues.
“This is getting to a point where now he just openly flaunts the law,” Regan says. “This is even more astounding when you consider the fact that he is our county’s chief law enforcement official. I guess this is simply indicative of someone who has had free reign for 16-plus years and no longer feels he has to be held accountable to the same laws he enforces.”
Williamson, who is in his fourth consecutive term as sheriff since his election in 1994, takes issue with what he calls Regan’s “negative and critical” approach.
“What’s the old saying, ‘If you’re looking for the sawdust in somebody else’s eye, you should take care of the plank in your own eye’?” Williamson says. “He hasn’t talked about what he’s going to do if elected. I take offense at him putting out negative things that are just wrong. I just wish he would stick to the issues. People know what I’ve done and what I’ll do. Talk about what you want to do instead of criticizing me.”
The sheriff’s office is the only contested countywide race in the Nov. 2 general election.
Contact Patrick Yeagle at pyeagle@illinoistimes.com.
Thank Goodness for the Deputies! I don't think anyone is against or wants to take away their extra duty jobs but why isn't the Sheriff asked questions like, 'who pays for an injured Deputy or their wages while injured?' Or even, 'who pays for the wrecked police car, flat tire, tow ... ?' I truly hope none of this happens but these questions are endless with just a handshake aggreement which the Sheriff states is all that is needed.
I wonder if the county board members truly share the Sheriff's opinion that the board need not be included? Forget what ever agenda... Protect those who protect us! Give the Deputies some assurance they won't be the ones paying the price of a 'verbal' aggreement!
My question is, who is responsible if something happens and the Deputy shoots somebody. Who's going to cover their legal expenses. Is the County going to cover it or is the business that is paying him going to cover it. It could end up being in six figures. Are the taxpayers going to be responsible for it since the Deputy was in uniform and utilizing all equipment from his job at the Sheriffs Dept.
SHERIFF WILLIAMSON'S IGNORANCE IS NO EXCUSE.
Neil Williamson knows that, "when it comes to the law, ignorance is no excuse." But when it comes to enforcing the law, Sheriff Williamson seems to think that ignorance is excusable. He used to stand by his Coroner Susan Boone, until she was investigated for, "changing official records", "filing incomplete death certificates", and "reporting false causes of death". Now she is not speaking and he doesn't stand by her anymore.
Over his last term, three citizens have died in the custody of Sangamon County law officers. When a citizen dies in the hands of officers, that is a failure of law enforcement and management. Neil Williamson says that, "he stands by his men". But he won't release official videos or records. Sheriff Williamson has failed to provide adequate oversight and effective management. Now, he doesn't stand by his records anymore.
In regard to the cases of Patrick Burns and Anakin Credit, Neil Williamson has said things like, "I need more facts", "I don't know exactly what happened", "We did everything that we could", and "We didn't know what to do". Knowing what to do and how to do it, is Sheriff Williamson's job and responsibility! Too many times, he has failed to do his job responsibly! Now, he doesn't stand up and acknowledge that he is ultimately responsible.
How many of us can excuse ourselves by saying the kinds of things that Sheriff Williamson says? When it comes to law enforcement, ignorance should not be an excuse. That is why we should fire Neil Williamson. As a 9/11 survivor with PTSD, I have been victim to Sheriff Williamson's failure to manage his office intelligently and competently. Unfortunately, many more, survivors, and veterans, could become victims too.
Vote for Regan for County Sheriff.
Sincerely, William Wilkins