Are there any special problems/conditions in Baldwin County that present a challenge for the Sheriff’s Office?

Bethel: “The oath the Sheriff takes are rights from the people. We have the right to remove government if they don’t protect those rights. I am not going to sit idly by when people can walk in to County Correction facility and have their rights taken away from them.”

Mack: “I want to continue to cut down of response time. The population (of Baldwin County) is still going up. There is growth in areas of the county that haven’t seen that before.”

Why are you running?

Mack: I have been a law enforcement officer for over 25 years. I want to do the job, I have a passion to do the job.”

Bethel: “Because we desperately need jail reform.”

Tell about any two positions you have had that qualify you for sheriff:

Bethel: “I am a citizen of Baldwin County, and I am staunch in protecting the constitutional rights of the people.”

Mack: “I have been in law enforcement for more then 25 years. I have enjoyed all the jobs.

Are there any law enforcement actions over the past two years that you would handle differently?

Mack: “I am not sure what we would handle differently. We constantly evaluate. We do have to reallocate (officers) We are always looking for the best coverage.”

Bethel: “There are several. People have the right to a signature bond and not go to a bail bondsman to secure their release. We also have a situation of four men in a two-man cell.”

What would you change or do differently in Baldwin County?

Bethel: “Jail reform. There is no reason to go to a bondsman for a signature bond. We do not have any programs for reform or corrections. I would make sure that every deputy and corrections officer has training on basic constitutional rights.”

Mack: “I don’t know what changes we’d make. We are constantly looking to improve.”

Budgeting is always a problem. What would you do to reduce costs while providing effective police protection?

Mack: “That has been a challenge. Our call volume has increased 20 percent.”

Bethel: “It all goes back to the United States Constitution. If they are not performing illegal searches and seizures, we won’t have as many court cases and we will have a reduction in the number of inmates.”

What do you offer the residents of Baldwin County?

Mack: “Peace of mind that you’ve got a Sheriff’s Office that is responsive to your needs. The most rewarding thing is sitting down and talking with someone to improve a bad situation.”

Bethel: “My oath of office to protect and serve the citizens.”

Why do you like living in Baldwin County?

Bethel: “Baldwin County is a very rural area and I enjoy the people.”

Mack: “I like the diversity, the quality of life, the people.”

Do you have a police pursuit policy?

Mack: “We do have a pursuit policy. It is multifaceted. If we know who the offender is , we break off pursuit.”

Bethel: “Not as yet. I don’t have a specific policy. I need to see the rules that are in effect.”

What plans to you have to control costs in the department?

Bethel: “One way is that deputy sheriffs are serving summons. This uses gas and their time. We should use the mail to save expense.”

Mack: “We have an ‘open book’ policy with the County Commission. There is a $17 million budget and I am accountable for that. I worked in business and took business courses in college. The color of money is the same in government or the private sector. We are running vehicles longer, so having them refurbished is mandatory.”

What do you think the most important service the office provides citizens?

Mack: “We respond to all emergencies and situations. We offer personal safety and security.”

Bethel: “To protect and serve.”

The Sheriff’s Office runs the county jail. Any plans for changes there?

Bethel: “I’d make available a system that a person could call and get information instantly.”

Mack: “When I came (to the position of Sheriff) we had a 609 bed facility and 700 inmates. We now have a 649 bed facility and average less than 500 inmates. We work with the courts (to keep the population down) We review the population every day.”

Do you have a favorite spot in Baldwin County?

Mack: “I’d have to say my home. I tell my officers you have to have an interest outside the job. I have got cows and horses.”

Bethel: “I would have to say it’s my home.”

How do you plan to work with cities/towns that have their own police departments?

Bethel: “I would like to set up a meeting with each chief of police and go over basic policies upholding basic rights. We need unity, as law enforcement agencies are here to help. The days of illegal searches and seizures are over. People need to trust law enforcement officers. I’d like more youth involvement as well.”

Mack: “I like to think we are working very well with them. We have a law enforcement breakfast and we train on pertinent issues. Twice a year, we bring the chiefs in to discuss police matters. We have good interoperability.”

Mack does say there is one problem - police radios. “We need radio systems that communicate with each other,” he said.