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Jason Seidl for Brown County Sheriff

To the editor:

We are fortunate to have two individuals with considerable law enforcement experience vying for the position of Brown County Sheriff. I offer my support for Jason Seidl, who I believe has not only the most relevant experience, but also the attributes best suited for this leadership position.

I have known and worked with Jason for the duration of his time with the Brown County Sheriffs department, in my capacity initially as the Manager of the Mental Health Services at the New Ulm Medical Center, and later as the Director of Operations for the Medical Center, prior to retirement in 2015.

Throughout this time Jason has proven to be dedicated to joint problem solving and collaboration in meeting the needs of the patients and staff. Always respectful in our communications, he demonstrated compassion towards those with mental illness, understanding that the difficult behavior being displayed was often symptomatic of their illness. He is a strong advocate for the plans to staff a mental health worker at the jail to assess those with suspected mental illness and help determine the most appropriate disposition. This has proven in other locations to reduce time spent in jail, the likelihood of reoffending, and the costs of managing this population. It is well documented that persons with mental illness are over-represented in the criminal justice system, with estimates ranging from 25 to 60 percent. Our failure to identify and treat these individuals for their mental illness is a recipe for repeated offenses, and added cost to taxpayers.

In his current position, Jason has experience with all facets of the operation of the Sheriff’s Department, which will allow him to make a smooth transition into the Sheriffs position. Jason understands that true success in the department is dependent on the leader’s ability to engage all of the employees, who will be instrumental in operationalizing the changes and carrying out the everyday duties of the department. He has demonstrated the skills of a team builder, which will be critical as the leader of this important department.

Jason is visible in the community, through his coaching and other community involvements. He is an exceptional listener, always respectful of the various viewpoints that are shared. He can be trusted to follow up on requests, and will give fair consideration to suggestions for how the department might improve. Community relations will be a priority for Jason. I have tremendous respect for Jason as a person, as a law enforcement officer, and as a leader, and wholeheartedly offer my support for Jason for Sheriff.

Steve Schneider

New Ulm

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