PROMOTION … Williams County Sheriff Tom Kochert (left) and Chief Deputy Jeff Lehman (right) congratulate Josh Mercer on his promotion to sergeant in March.
By: Renea Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
The Williams County Sheriff Department has been busier throughout this year than the previous year. Calls have been up as the department handles multiple villages and their calls of service due to manpower shortages.
Call types are pretty much the same, however there is a slight up-tick in domestic violence and drug related issues. These types of calls can be cyclic, so up-ticks can be corrected over the next quarter.
Since Sheriff Tom Kochert took office, the department has seen many changes. The way they train, the way they operate, policies and procedures and more.
Kochert explained that they now operate very proactively instead of being under a reactive umbrella.
“Law enforcement is a dynamic, fluid entity that MUST change and adapt on a regular basis, or face stagnation, which is pretty much where the office was when I assumed it.
Societal trends mark a need now for enforcement efforts and methods that even a year or two ago were not on the radar.
The need for pro-active, community engaged policing is higher than ever, and proper training and equipment needs are also greater than ever,” said Sheriff Kochert.
The department has also had some very exciting changes that have happened. The department has 8 training sessions a year, which have involved firearms, defensive tactics, constitutional law, driving, and various other law enforcement disciplines.
A new reporting and communications system, a new inventory and control system, vehicle organization procedure, and a firearm qualification procedure have all occurred since Kochert became sheriff.
A huge change is coming to the department as well, which will include an emergency response team.
This will provide highly trained services in the event of mass shootings, hostage situations, barricaded subjects, and more. The service will be used county-wide and not just for the un-incorporated areas.
Several new cruisers, new firearms, new vest carriers, and several small items are some of the new equipment that the department has received for everyday use.
The cruisers will soon be equipped with AED’s, thereby expanding the number available at any given time in Williams County for the safety of the public.
The department’s drone program has expanded, and they work hand in hand with the Ohio State Patrol to handle accidents and fly them for accuracy in reporting them.
Their cooperation with other agencies is at a fantastic level, and they regularly assist all village officers and entities with whatever they need, from narcotics investigations, deaths, overdoses, search warrants, and training. The sheriff would like everyone to know that his training is open to all officers in the county.
“I took this office as a result of the good graces of the people of Williams County. I have strived to do my best to not just do the job, but to advance this office to heights it has never achieved.”
“I call it “changing the culture”, a brick-by-brick foundational re-structuring of the operational effectiveness of this agency.”
“It is my goal, as I will seek a second term, to attain even more milestones, and achieve far greater things than the re-organization has already achieved.”
“The people of this great county can rest assured that I, and my wonderful, motivated, and highly trained Deputies will work endlessly to provide a level of service to you that you deserve as a citizen.”
“Efficiency, professionalism, honesty, and a desire to achieve what has never been done. That’s our collective goal for the next term, and the future beyond!”
“I need to give a huge shout-out to all my staff, road deputies for amassing incredible numbers and contacts, while cleaning up complaints with record speed. The attention to detail in putting these cases together has been incredible.”
“The detective section has been so busy but turning out indictments in a truly professional and efficient manner. The number of serious solved crimes is exponentially higher than in past years, and the professionalism displayed by my detectives is incredible to watch,” said Sheriff Kochert.
Renea can be reached at
renea@thevillagereporter.com