Carroll County Sheriff Kenneth Tregoning is in the middle of a controversy that will decide the county?s primary law-enforcement agency. For the past 30 years, the county has contracted troopers from the state in the Resident Trooper Program, but commissioners voted to end that expensive agreement in October and create a county police force with an appointed chief that they say would centralize law enforcement and reduce politics.
Tregoning, 63, who was elected sheriff in 1998 after spending 30 years with the state police, opposes a county force and urges making his office the primary agency. The county?s state delegation plans to let voters decide in a referendum.
If the county force goes through, where do you see policing in Carroll County in five years?
I don?t know that I should be expected to answer that. [County officials] should know that before they even attempt to transition, I have a five-year county law-enforcement plan that would map out a smooth transition from the Resident Trooper Program through the sheriff?s office, whereby in five years public safety would be enhanced ? a certainty, a guarantee ? as opposed to the course that the county seems to be taking. Law enforcement could go backwards in the number of police officers. And that is unacceptable. It?s a danger to public safety to regress in the number of police officers ? we’re the lowest in the state to begin with.
If the Sheriff?s Office becomes the primary law-enforcement agency, what then?
Policing would be enhanced … because you have an established office with an established command structure, established leadership, policy, procedure, continuity in delivery of services and a proven track record. And it would be a smooth transition through this agency, where all of this is in place. And, above all, it would be less costly to the taxpayers.
You?ve said the only reason for the county commissioners to go with a police force is appointment authority.
I said that?s the primary reason. There are other underlying reasons that encouraged them to make this decision, however misguided those reasons or that info may have been. I think theyknew in advance where they were going. And the public was excluded. That was a critical error from the Board of Commissioners, giving the appearance the whole process was weighted in their favor and tainted.
You?ve chosen not to take part in planning the transition. Say they appoint you police chief. Would you take the job?
No. I?m not here to join an initiative that will take public safety backward for a period of time. That would be counterproductive to what I?ve stood for since I came into office. When they made this decision, they weren?t thinking about the citizens. I?m not interested in participating in the transition because it?s wrong. I can show them the right way to do it if they?re interested.
The commissioners sent a letter to the delegation asking it to hold off on the referendum until they hold their own public hearings. Your thoughts?
I don?t know the logic of why they sent the letter. It proves they understand now ? and are publicly willing to acknowledge ? “Hey we made a serious mistake by not putting this issue to the public.” And they want to try to recoup [and] save some face.
The commissioners say they can make adjustments at any time with an appointed chief, instead of allowing a sheriff to be held accountable every four years.
The commissioners are somewhat naïve if they think law enforcement is so simple. Remember, the county contracted 45 resident troopers. Those resident troopers technically are county police officers. The problem is, the Board of Commissioners has never had any input over how those resources are applied or to what issues they?re applied. That?s their fault.
Carroll maintains a fairly low crime rate. How?
Carroll County enjoys one of the lowest crime rates [in the state]. We do have a serious problem with Part II crimes [such as fraud, drug abuse and driving under the influence], I?ll put it that way. Part I [violent] crimes ? we don?t. We still have a good quality of life, and it?s only through the combined efforts of the state police and this agency.
What crimes have increased in the past year?
In 2007, the crime picture looked pretty much the same as the last 10-15 years. Usually, theft or larceny is our No. 1 crime. Assaults, burglaries, drug cases. We?ve noticed a significant increase in the past five years in crimes against the elderly and Internet theft, fraud.
Does that mean more detectives?
We would have to enlarge our criminal investigations unit, so yes, more detectives ? and special training to address Internet fraud. That?s a complex crime to investigate.
How about illegal immigration?
We?re doing what we can. The public must understand, you cannot process an illegal immigrant until that person is charged with a crime and brought into central booking. Once they are brought into central booking, then we notify [Immigration and Customs Enforcement].
Your immediate plans?
We?re on an aggressive, deliberate, calculated course to stop an injustice to the public with this county police idea and to do what?s best for the public through this office. We hope the commissioners are on board with us at some point. But in the end, the will of the public, I believe, will win. I can accept the will of the public. I can?t accept this decision from this board.
Other goals?
Enhancing the delivery of public-safety services to the citizens. That?s [internal] self-improvement, whether through professional training, remedial training, what have you. We have a high standard, and it takes hard work to meet that. And youunderstand we?re a nationally accredited agency, and we have a high standard to meet. I?d like to continue to impress upon the board and the Office of Public Safety the importance of centralized communications. They?re going to have to go to it eventually, and with a small number of officers, it?s critical they go to it now. If they can?t see that, then they have blinders on. Those are two of my main goals ? and, of course, to make this office the primary law-enforcement agency.
