CHAMPAIGN, IL (CHAMBANA TODAY)-Law enforcement personnel serve many important roles in the communities they serve. Here s a closer look at the integral roles of police and other law enforcement personnel. Maintain law and order: The police force is made up of many different departments with the collective goal of maintaining law and order. Traffic police are responsible for enforcing the rules of the road and minimizing the chance of accidents. Other departments canvas the streets ensuring that residents’ civil liberties are not being compromised. Save lives: Whether they’re preventing a life-threatening crime or administering emergency medical care at a car accident until an ambulance can arrive, law enforcement officers save lives every day. Assist in adverse situations and provide crisis support: Police officers often fill the role of counselor or friend to people who find themselves in difficult situations. An officer can play a part in helping people make better life choices in the future.
Training in situational de-escalation also means police officers are capable of defusing difficult situations before they snowball into serious, potentially life-threatening confrontations. Investigate crimes: Police are the first people to respond when crimes have been committed. These individuals investigate the situation and find the perpetrator. Foster strong communities: Law enforcement officers share a unique solidarity with other officers, peers, community leaders, and even medical professionals, which helps to create a strong fabric for a community. Officers frequently have each other s backs as well as the respect and support of the public for putting their lives on the line. Law enforcement is an essential component of orderly, safe and supportive communities. Recognizing and respecting the important role law enforcement officials play is a great way to show them how much their efforts and sacrifices are appreciated.
Sheriff Dustin, elected to office in 2018, has made history as Champaign County’s first Democratic Sheriff in over eight decades. Moreover, he stands among a select group of five openly LGBTQ Sheriffs across the United States. Hailing from rural Effingham County originally, Dustin has made Champaign County his home since 2008, residing with his husband, Tony, who works as a registered nurse at Carle Foundation Hospital. Together, they share their lives with three beloved dogs: Roja, Junior, and Zoey.
With a diverse background spanning more than 23 years in public safety and community service, Sheriff Dustin has traversed various roles, including private security officer, 911 telecommunications, EMT, plain-clothes narcotics officer, deputy sheriff, Chief of Police, and criminal justice professor. Notably, Sheriff Dustin boasts unique experience as the only Sheriff candidate with a prior stint as Champaign County Sheriff. His tenure encompassed leadership responsibilities across all facets of sheriff’s office operations, from law enforcement and modern corrections practices to courthouse security and emergency management.
In 2018, Sheriff Dustin secured an unexpected victory, defying the odds as the underdog in the race against a seasoned 27-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office. Despite perceptions of his win as a mere product of political tides, Sheriff Dustin believes his election was driven by a recognition of his potential to lead the Sheriff’s Office and the broader criminal justice system toward a progressive future.
Following his election, skepticism regarding his ability to succeed lingered, particularly among those resistant to affording him a fair opportunity. Yet, Sheriff Dustin found solace in the steadfast support of a dedicated leadership team within the Sheriff’s Office, whose collaborative efforts have been instrumental in advancing initiatives aimed at enhancing county safety.
While Sheriff Dustin acknowledges the inherent challenges of his role, he also finds fulfillment in the profound impact it affords him to make. Wrestling with the weight of public expectations, he grapples with the inevitability of disappointing some constituents, recognizing the impossibility of universal satisfaction in decision-making.
Guided by the advice of a seasoned colleague, Sheriff Dustin resolved to prioritize sound judgment over political expediency, valuing principled decision-making above all else. Embracing transparency and accountability, he pledges to act in the best interests of Champaign County and its residents, even if it means facing electoral repercussions.
Reflecting on his journey into law enforcement, Sheriff Dustin shared, “I think I first got involved with law enforcement through my grandpa, who was a police officer. Growing up, seeing his uniforms and watching him in action sparked my passion for the criminal justice field. I started as a 911 telecommunicator, and some people begin as correctional officers or in communications. I got hired part-time in a small town, south of a slightly larger town. That’s how I began my career, eventually making it my full-time job. I’ve always had a passion for helping people, but it’s deepened since becoming Sheriff, maybe due to maturity and life experiences. The passion for going out and really talking to the community and stuff is what keeps me running for reelection.”
Sheriff Dustin emphasized his commitment to community involvement and representation, stating, “And I live here. My parents are still in the county, but my husband’s parents and sister’s family live here too. One of my goals is to make our community a safe and good place to live. Serving on boards and commissions is part of my passion to ensure our criminal justice system is professional and innovative. My perspective is unique as one of the few elected sheriffs who are also part of the LGBTQ community. This perspective shapes my efforts to improve the community and support my husband’s community. It all revolves around contributing to boards, commissions, and organizations that drive positive change in our community and criminal justice field.”
Addressing the challenge of implicit bias within law enforcement, Sheriff Dustin expressed, “Implicit bias is one of the most challenging issues to address because often, you’re not even aware of your biases. I’ve had to recognize my own biases, even though I grew up in a predominantly white community. Many of my deputies face similar challenges. I believe our police force should reflect our community, but we’ve struggled to hire diverse candidates. Often, they opt for positions in more urban areas with better pay. It’s tough to recruit for the Sheriff’s office. My goal is to invest in training and resources for my deputies to have diverse perspectives. Even if they don’t share the same background or experiences as the community, they can approach situations with an open mind and empathy. My aim is to ensure my deputies are as prepared as possible to serve our diverse population.”
Discussing his approach to criminal justice reform, Sheriff Dustin highlighted the importance of reevaluating pretrial detention practices. He stated, “I’m a firm believer that we need to protect the community from those accused of violent crimes. However, for offenses like retail theft, until recently, we’ve seen people languishing in jail simply because they can’t afford bail. Not everyone can afford bail, and that’s unfortunate. If someone poses a low risk of reoffending and isn’t a danger to the community, why not help them conform to societal standards and support their success? Rebuilding lives is much more effective than throwing someone back into the same environment that led to their incarceration, setting them up for failure. It’s challenging, especially with issues like drug offenses, but getting people out of jail who don’t belong there and helping them succeed is crucial for our criminal justice system.”
Furthermore, Sheriff Dustin emphasized the importance of implementing proactive measures to address mental health crises. He outlined, “So, the social work program is a crucial first step. It’s essentially about addressing social issues that law enforcement shouldn’t necessarily be handling in the first place. For instance, if we encounter someone with suicidal tendencies, a law enforcement officer might initially respond, but our social worker follows up to ensure they have the necessary resources for ongoing support. Similarly, if someone is experiencing homelessness or financial difficulties leading to shoplifting, our social worker steps in to connect them with shelters.