Tag: Rock County, Minnesota

Politics are a problem when it comes to running the Rock County Sheriff’s Office. “No politics, no entitlements, no controversies” was the slogan Maurer voiced at least twice at a candidates forum Wednesday in a packed board room at the Kolak Education Center. Maurer suggested that politics have kept county law enforcement from merging the three SWAT teams maintained by Janesville and Beloit police and the sheriff’s office. Maurer said he would not be a career sheriff, and he would serve either one or two four-year terms before retiring. Maurer, Groelle and Troy Knudson are the three sheriff candidates. Groelle and Knudson face off in the Aug. 14 primary. When asked about fears among local Latinos about unfair arrests and being deported, the candidates all indicated they would not change current practices. Maurer said the sheriff’s office will notify authorities if it learns about people here without legal status but won’t detain people for immigration issues unless federal officials place a “hold” on them and make arrangements for transfer. Knudson called for the community to come together to address problems that are driving up the incarceration rate, including mental health, poverty and “issues with the minority community.” Knudson said when taking over the jail, he started a book drive to improve reading materials for inmates, and he introduced eye masks and earplugs so inmates can sleep better in the face of security lights and doors banging. Groelle said he would investigate recreation options for inmates, including a yard, and would like to lower prices charged for phone calls and food in jail.