PETER COOLIDGE
FOR SHERIFF
PETE'S PRIORITIES FOR A SAFER, STRONGER DUPAGE
Priorities for a Safer, Stronger DuPage County
1. Prioritize True Transparency that Builds Trust When I talk about transparency, I’m talking about earning your trust every single day. People deserve to know what’s really happening in their community and how their sheriff’s department makes decisions. As Sheriff, I’ll make that happen by: •Holding regular public briefings and town halls so residents hear directly from me, not through rumor or social media. •Making data public on response times, use-of-force incidents, and department spending—so you can see where we’re doing well and where we can do better. •Setting clear policies for releasing footage from officer body cams when incidents occur. •Creating a community advisory board made up of local residents to give input on department priorities and policies.
2. Improve Public Safety Outcomes through Improved Office Staffing and Training When you call the Sheriff's Office, you are calling for help, and you deserve a response that is professional, compassionate, and highly competent. But for too long, we have asked our deputies to be everything to everyone—social workers, mental health counselors, and peace officers—without providing them the right tools or the essential support they need. That stops with me. My commitment to you is to build a Sheriff’s Office that is fully equipped to meet the complex demands of our time. That starts with My Professional Staffing and Training Platform. 🤝 The Crisis of Mental Health We all know the staggering numbers: far too many emergency calls involve individuals in a mental health crisis. Our deputies are often the first, and only, resource available. Therefore, under my leadership, we will institute mandatory, advanced Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training for every single deputy. This isn't a one-day seminar; it's intensive, specialized training designed to teach de-escalation, promote empathy, and ensure our officers can resolve these difficult situations safely, reducing the need for force and connecting our community members to the help they desperately need. This is how we make our streets safer for everyone. 🛡️ Supporting Our Own But we cannot ask our deputies to care for our community's mental health if we do not first care for theirs. The stress of policing leads to high rates of burnout, stress, and mental health challenges among our ranks. This is a public safety issue. A deputy struggling with burnout is not a deputy who can perform at their best when your life is on the line. As Sheriff, I will create staff wellness programs that address mental health proactively, offering confidential support and resources. 📈 Combating Burnout and Attracting the Best Finally, we must stop the revolving door. Chronic understaffing fuels burnout, making the job harder and less appealing. I will undertake a complete overhaul of our recruitment and retention practices. We will actively seek out individuals who reflect our community's values and diversity, provide them with competitive pay, and—most importantly—create a work environment designed to reduce job-related burnout.
3. Rebuilding Trust through Community Engagement Across our county, there is a critical gap—a lack of trust between the community and the Sheriff's Office. Too many citizens only interact with a deputy during a traffic stop or when a patrol car drives by. This distance is unacceptable and compromises our safety. I believe real public safety is built on partnership. We must return to true community policing, transforming the Sheriff's Office into a consistent, positive presence in every neighborhood. We will move beyond just reactive response by dedicating a portion of our time and energy to non-enforcement contacts that build essential rapport and mutual understanding. •Active Presence, Not Just Patrol: We will deploy our deputies from their cars and into the neighborhoods. They will be talking with local business owners, attending community meetings, and local neighborhood events. We must have an ongoing, human dialogue with the community and be visibly present before a crisis occurs. • •Structured Community Outreach: We will launch programs designed for casual interaction, such as "Coffee with a Deputy" and dedicated neighborhood walks, giving every citizen and resident easy, human access to their local law enforcement. •Investing in the Next Generation: We will prioritize speaking directly to teens, young adults, parents, and seniors through extensive engagement. Our goal is to provide education, safety mentorship, and establish a positive, preventative relationship with the community.
4. Provide a Professional, Safe, and Accountable Corrections Center The County Detention Center is a crucial and complex facility that demands professional, compliant, and effective management. As Sheriff, I am committed to running the jail with absolute integrity, ensuring the security of our community and the full protection of rights under the law. Our failure to uphold these operational standards not only compromises care but exposes our county and our taxpayers to unnecessary risk. Our Three Commitments for Professional Corrections My plan centers on establishing rigorous, non-negotiable operational standards for the County Corrections Center: 1.Mandated Professional Health Standards: We will ensure that the jail operates under clear, medically sound protocols. This includes conducting immediate and comprehensive health and mental health assessments upon intake for every single inmate. We will guarantee continuous access to necessary professional medical treatment, counseling, and mental health services while in custody, ensuring health needs are met promptly and expertly. 2.Absolute Security and Safety: Safety is paramount for both the staff and the inmate population. We will enforce rigorous security protocols and implement continuous, specialized training for our correctional staff. Our goal is to maintain a safe environment, free from violence and abuse. We will prioritize the safety and well-being of our Detention Officers, ensuring they have the best training and resources to perform their duties securely, alongside prioritizing inmate safety—including protection from self-harm. 3.Upholding the Rule of Law: We will operate the jail in full compliance with state and constitutional law. This commitment means strictly protecting the due process and rights of every inmate, ensuring access to legal counsel, and maintaining a zero-tolerance policy for any misconduct or rights violations.