BAY MINETTE, Ala. — Baldwin County Sheriff Huey “Hoss” Mack said Wednesday he intends to implement a program for growing numbers of mentally ill inmates, emphasize drug rehabilitation and complete computer upgrades to consolidate 20 years of records.

Mack began his second term last week with face-to-face meetings with 270-plus staffers to gain ideas for improving the law enforcement agency.

“We discovered we have done a good job of training supervisors and managers, but we have to concentrate on mid- and upper-level management,” he said. “When someone is promoted, they need to possess the skills to do their job.”

Mack also is working with 12 top managers to assess his first term and make changes for his second term in in office. That report should be complete in February.

Mack said a major accomplishment is upgrading a computer system, “marrying” a website and Facebook page to improve communication externally and internally.

The new system also will provide detailed statistical information.

“We can get things like numbers of arrests in a particular area, but we need more detail for the county’s eight patrol districts,” Mack said.

“We look carefully at population, location and call volume in those districts and make adjustments,” he said. “It’s important not to overload a deputy and we want to improve response time.”

Mack said goals for his second term include:

• Implementing a new radio system for improved communication within the sheriff’s department and other law enforcement agencies.

• Establishing a residential community corrections program.

• Addressing growing numbers of mentally ill inmates. Mack said he is working with Baldwin County Probate Judge Tim Russell and District Attorney Hallie Dixon to establish a mental health program.

• Establishing a comprehensive approach to drug arrests, adjudication and a concentration on rehabilitation.

Oil Spill

Mack said he anticipated numbers of fraud and false claims cases after the BP oil spill, but that scenario didn’t materialize.

But the spill mandated security at cleanup sites and unexpected visits by President Barack Obama, congressional personnel and dignitaries.

“You don’t budget for President Obama to come to your county,” he said.