Curtailing drug abuse and enhancing community relations — set against a backdrop of doing more with fewer resources — are key priorities Dusty Terrill says would mark his administration as Mercer County Sheriff.
Terrill, a 41-year-old Republican challenging incumbent Democrat David Staley, announced his candidacy last year, according to the Dispatch-Argus.
Det. Rusty Terrill, Mercer County Sheriff candidate
Since his initial announcement, Terrill has formulated a platform stressing the priorities outlined above with his overall goal of enhanced safety.
“I am running to make Mercer County a better and safer place for my son, my family, and the entire population of Mercer County,” he said in an interview with the Mercer County Republicans. “I feel the priorities I would set for the Sheriff’s Office would put the citizens of Mercer County first.”
Terrill, a member of the sheriff’s department for 21 years, seems to have the necessary qualifications. In addition to his 2010 promotion to the rank of detective, he has gained several distinctions, including special training in homicide investigations, child abuse and family violence, school intrusions, and others. He also serves as deputy coroner and part-time police officer for the city of Aledo.
One of the planks in his platform recognizes the problem of drug abuse, and he said the cycle of arrest-release-arrest isn’t good enough.
“We have to try something new,” he said. “I strongly advocate consequences for actions and the arrests for drug offenses, but we need to add an element in an attempt to get these drug addicts out of the cycle of addiction.”
Terrill said he would seek the involvement of community and church leaders to develop a plan to combat addiction.
Such collaboration would likely help build trust between citizens and the sheriff’s department, but it would only be part of his strategy to strengthen community relations. Visibility at community events would also play a role.
“I believe promoting a positive presence in our community is important,” Terrill said. “A higher level of cooperation with law enforcement will help reduce and solve crime.”
With the government in many areas having to do more with fewer tax dollars, Terrill said streamlining operations would be crucial to meet the budget crisis.
“I feel with Mercer County’s limited resources, and already high taxes, increases in efficiencies within the department are needed to improve services to the people who need them, without increasing costs,” he said. “I will restructure the sheriff’s office personnel to equalize the amount of deputies available to patrol and provide service during the day and throughout overnight.”
A 1994 graduate of Westmer High School, Terrill earned an associate’s degree in law enforcement from Black Hawk College and is working on a bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University. He and his wife, Amy, have a 10-year-old son and are hosting a high-school age cultural exchange student.
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