Watershed Voice sent out questionnaires to over 75 candidates running for elected positions in St. Joseph County and the surrounding area. In the days leading up to the Michigan Primary on August 4, Watershed will publish the questionnaires it received back to supplement our election preview.
Mark Lillywhite is an incumbent, Republican candidate for St. Joseph County Sheriff. In looking over Watershed’s questionnaire, Sheriff Lillywhite decided to send the following document in lieu of that questionnaire. He also shared this document with other news outlets. We have included our original questions below Sheriff Lillywhite’s words.
Hi, I’m Sheriff Mark Lillywhite. I’m a lifelong resident of St. Joseph County. Married for over 22 years and have 3 children. I reside in Flowerfield Township, Three Rivers, Michigan. I have worked at the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office for 25 years. I started in 1995 I have had the opportunity to serve the citizens of St. Joseph County in the following capacity while employed at the Sheriff’s Office:
(3) years as a Corrections Deputy. (4) years as a Road Patrol Deputy. (3) years as a Narcotics investigator. (4) years as a Road Sergeant. (11) years as Undersheriff. While being appointed to Sheriff February 1st, 2020. I also have worked Part time for the Village of White Pigeon as a Patrol Officer for over 20 years.
I have been preparing for this my entire adult life. I earned the following degrees and additional executive training all while working full time and raising a family.
Associates in Law Enforcement – KVCC, Police Academy – KVCC, Bachelor Police Administration – Siena Heights University, 400-hour executive training in Staff and Command – Michigan State University 2 class, FBI-Michigan Police executive training, and Undersheriff school by Michigan Sheriff’s Association.
If elected, I will continue to advance the department through technology, training, and strategies for our staff. I will continue to focus on maintaining high departmental standards, public safety, and accountability. I will continue to build and maintain positive relationships throughout the community, emergency service agencies and other community stakeholders through effective communication, education, and community involvement.
I feel illegal narcotics are still is a big problem within St. Joseph County. We will remain focused to target dealers and users along with continuing to participate and partner in specialty courts to help in rehabilitating while in jail or on probation.
My opinion is, training and communication are extremely important for each Deputy as I said before this Department upholds the highest standards and training.
We currently have policy and procedures in place for misconduct along with a procedure for citizen complaints. We take citizen complaints seriously and investigate each one to its fullest. The Sheriff’s Office has several methods on capturing day to day operations. If behavior change is warranted it is issued accordingly.
Defunding police isn’t the answer however I believe strongly in the integration of criminal justice and social justice. We currently have this implemented in this department with the specialty courts, having a social worker in the jail along with making sure my entire staff is CIT trained.
Experience, values, accountability and proven leadership.
Below is Watershed Voice’s original questionnaire as sent to Sheriff Lillywhite and other candidates, showing the questions we asked.
Name:
Age:
Address:
Occupation:
Incumbent:
Family:
How long have you resided in the area you seek to represent?
Why are you seeking the position of St. Joseph County Sheriff?
What is the role of St. Joseph County Sheriff, and why are you uniquely qualified to fill that role?
Are you familiar with the poverty rate in the district where you are running for office?
Why do you think people are poor?
What does the 2nd District County Commissioner do right, and how do you intend to maintain or expand this?
What could the 2nd District County Commissioner do better, and how do you intend to facilitate this happening?
What is your position on the Black Lives Matter Movement?
What do you think are the central issues behind the Black Lives Matter Movement?
What is your position on police reform?
What is your take on the U.S. response to the COVID-19 pandemic?
Do you support increased pandemic testing and tracing measures?
What will be your response to the climbing rate of jobless claims?
What do you think are your prospective constituents’ biggest everyday challenges?
What measures will you work to put in place to address those challenges?
With public revenues already significantly impacted by COVID-19 and the economy, how will you address cashflow problems for the public bodies in your district and under your watch?
What is your favorite thing about the district in which you are running?
What else would you like us to know about you?
