S.L. County: S.L. County Sheriff

Scott Miller (D)

As the Democratic challenger in the race for county sheriff, Scott Miller wants to bring a new era of fairness to the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office.

A 20-year-veteran of the department, Miller retired last year after what he said was a retaliatory transfer. He is suing incumbent Sheriff Aaron Kennard for allegedly violating his civil rights.

If elected, Miller would focus his efforts on curbing the activities of repeat violent offenders, work to protect children from being victimized and shorten the response time of deputies to both emergency and non-emergency citizen calls.

Miller believes the sheriff's office has become too political, and he would attempt to get "politics out of police work" by relying on state statutes in evaluating job performance and promoting deputies.

He disagrees that the current office has improved communications with its surrounding municipal departments, saying part of the problem is a communication system that is incompatible with many others.

Miller proposes enlisting citizen volunteers and expanded Neighborhood Watch programs in helping to fight crime.

Aaron D. Kennard (R)

Incumbent Aaron Kennard is seeking a third term as sheriff of Salt Lake County so that he can continue his efforts to "professionalize" the office.

Under Kennard's leadership, the sheriff's office has expanded its training programs and upgraded equipment standards for deputies, including obtaining new weapons, adding the car-per-deputy program and improving communications with other law enforcement agencies.

Additionally, Kennard fought for and won the support of the County Commission to build a new jail facility, which will open in 1999.

The department has expanded its investigations units to include specialized gangs, domestic violence, and narcotics units and has added community policing and D.A.R.E programs.

Kennard is concerned with fighting against growth in violent crime, particularly among juveniles and gangs. He also sees the proliferation of illegal drugs as a pressing problem.

He also works to ensure the sheriff's office will a lead role in security for the 2002 Olympics and has deputies on 16 of 24 planning committees.

John L. Sheets

(Independent Party)

West Virginia native John Sheets wants to bring more diversity to the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Sheets, who has been an officer in Texas and New Mexico before working in Utah, says the valley could benefit from some new ideas that are practiced readily in other law enforcement communities.

A patrol officer for South Salt Lake, Sheets, if elected sheriff, plans to take a "no tolerance" approach with those who dabble in drug manufacturing and sales and gang activity.

And he would work through school and community programs to find alternatives for youth that will keep them away from crime.