Candidate profile: Mike Lacy

As your Sheriff, I’m grateful for this opportunity to share my views and my vision for the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office.
I have 38 years of combined law enforcement experience including work with the Blanding City Police, the Utah Highway Patrol and the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office. As current Sheriff, I understand the many responsibilities and duties which come with this job.
I am here to protect the rights of the citizens, promoting safety and security through law enforcement and education. I am committed to fighting crime, drugs and all forms of abuse. I educate citizens on their important right to bear arms.
The Sheriff’s office employs 34 people. We bring together many personalities, backgrounds, skills and abilities to attain a smooth working unit. We train and work together, and trust each other when lives are on the line. I lead the way, but I could never do it alone.
I thank the honest and hard-working employees who have diligently worked side by side with me.
Road deputies work throughout the county and answer calls 24/7. We employ a Domestic Violence Advocate for victims of abuse. We are part of the San Juan County Safety Coalition, the San Juan County Drug Task Force and the Blanding Prevention Awareness Coalition.
Our deputies, dispatchers and corrections officers benefit from the best training available.
Training is vital not only to keep up on the required certification but to sharpen our skills and learn new successful tactics. We constantly gather information on effective law-enforcement methods. I keep up on available technology and training. I send individuals from our office to training programs or bring the training here where I can invite officers from local agencies to participate.
Our jail and dispatching facilities are used by all Law-enforcement agencies within San Juan County, including Monticello and Blanding City Police Departments. Everyone benefits by having this high quality and well-run facility in our county
I have kept current with all the laws concerning the jail by attending monthly training.
I have an aggressive attitude against federal intrusion. I have fought the battles with the federal agencies who have forgotten who owns the land. I have worked to stop road closures.
Positive progress has been made through continual dialogue with County and Federal Officials over public road use, but there is still a lot of work to be done. I have testified before the Utah legislature to pass House Bill 146 limiting law enforcement by Federal Land Management Agencies. I’m here to protect the freedoms we enjoy and to defend our constitution.
Our youth are our best resource and most valuable asset for the future. Safety in schools is one of my highest priorities. During my time as Sheriff we have initiated many programs in schools throughout the county. We have provided resource officers upon request for Monument Valley, San Juan, and Whitehorse High Schools and continued as long as needed. We also distributed Child I.D. kits for every school age child in the county. The Sheriff’s office started DARE programs in Blanding, Aneth, Montezuma Creek, Mexican Hat and Bluff Elementary Schools. As other organizations have shown interest in working with these or other programs, I have encouraged and appreciated their participation.
The Sheriff’s office has provided jobs for many of the county’s young people as they have grown to be responsible citizens
I lead our team of Search and Rescue volunteers who literally give of themselves to save lives. We have built up the team to 60 members strong. These individuals are second to none and I am proud to be associated with them.
I have a good working relationship with other county, state and federal agencies. Recently I met with the F.B.I., U.S. Marshall’s Service, the assistant U.S. Attorney, the Navajo Public Safety Office Attorney, Navajo Police, other San Juan County Officials and tribal members interested in improving law enforcement on the Navajo Reservation. We are making progress toward cross-deputization through the ongoing cooperation of these agencies. Our road deputies are B.I.A. (Bureau of Indian Affairs) Certified to have jurisdiction to work the Ute Reservation.
Communication is vital. I hold monthly multi-agency meetings and invite all law-enforcement agencies operating within San Juan County. Those attending are able to share and receive current information.
A Sheriff must know financial management. Our County Commissioners have allowed us an appropriate budget to reach our goal of adequate compensation for employees. As a result, we are keeping more of our quality law enforcement officers working for us. I have never been over budget. We have kept our jail as one of the top-rated secure jails in the state. By housing state prisoners we bring in a yearly revenue of approximately 1.2 million dollars.
Does it make sense to throw out what is working just to try something new? The world throws new things at us all the time. Let’s be ready for them with an experienced leader. The experiences I have had give me a basis for making difficult decisions, to know when to draw from a mountain of knowledge or when to look to new resources and pull in new ideas.
I enjoy the people of San Juan County. My door is always open.
You can talk to me anytime with your concerns. Respect must go both ways.
I’ve witnessed joyous occasions with people of this county and I have seen personal tragedies that seem too much to bear. I believe that as we help one another we can make our lives better.
I’ve worked hard to be a Sheriff for ALL the county. If you will support me with your vote on Nov 2nd, this effort will continue. Thank you for your support and your dedication to San Juan County, a great place to live.