Letter To The Editor: Bob Mendham Cites Qualifications

​Letter To The Editor: Bob Mendham Cites Qualifications
To The Editor:

I have been asked to list reasons why I believe I am qualified to be Sheriff of Newaygo County.

1. I have 25 years of law enforcement experience. Six years as a Corrections Officer in the Newaygo County Jail, attaining the rank of Sergeant and 20 years as a certified Police Officer. (I worked as a part time Deputy for one year while working full time in the Jail).
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2. While working in the Jail I was a union steward and was one of the Officers who worked to get...

...the 12 hour shifts implemented, which are still used today.

3. As a Deputy Sheriff for Newaygo County I held many positions. I worked two years as an undercover officer on the Central Michigan Enforcement Team (CMET). While on CMET, I was responsible for an investigation that lead to the discovery of the largest indoor marijuana growing operation in our county.
I was also the K-9 handler for seven years, working with Razz after Deputy Jerry Kandler passed away. 
I spent seven years on the Dive Team and was the Community Policing Officer for three years. 

4. In 2007 Chief Roger Ungrey retired from White Cloud Police Dept. and I was fortunate enough to be named as his replacement, the same job my father Al held from 1967-1977. 

5. In 2014 Chief Dan Vanbelzen retired from Grant PD and in an innovative move the cities of Grant and White Cloud worked together to share a Chief of Police and save taxpayer dollars. I have been the Chief of Police in Grant for two years and Chief of Police in White Cloud for almost nine. 

6. We have improved training and brought technology to both departments. All officers now wear body cameras, have in-car computers and printers, and we will soon be getting AEDs. I believe we have built a trusting relationship between the police department and the community. 

7. White Cloud PD is the only department that has a school liaison officer working in the schools. As Sheriff, I would like to see a school liaison officer in every district. We are very proud of our relationship with the school district and its students.
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I believe my work experience and communication skills will allow me to be a very effective and efficient Sheriff. I will be surrounded by a tremendous group of men and women who already work at the Newaygo County Sheriff's Office and are diligently working every day to make the people of Newaygo County safe. We will be part of the community as coaches, mentors, youth group leaders and friends. We have sworn an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution and to serve and protect our community and together we will do that with pride and humility.

Bob Mendham




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