Accomplishments as Sheriff - Re-Elect Oscar Martinez for Lake County Sheriff
Over the last four years as your Lake County Sheriff I have created, developed, and launched several programs that support my vision to continue to make the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, a premier law enforcement agency and a model for the operation of correctional facilities in the State of Indiana.
As the lead Law Enforcement Official in Lake County, my responsibilities include not only ensuring the safety and security of our residents and the efficient operation of Lake County Jail but also providing the Sheriff’s Department’s enforcement and investigative support to all of the Lake County-based Police Departments and Public Safety Agencies that request assistance.
I am privileged to lead a hard-working and dedicated team of civilian and sworn Police and Corrections professionals who are continuing to protect and serve through the COVID-19 health crisis and overcome operational challenges impacted by manpower shortfalls.
I take great care in maintaining a management team of career professionals with a solid record and background in creating and adhering to a budget, as well as successfully managing Administrative and Enforcement Programs and Corrections Operations.
Building from a strong foundation, my major priority has been to provide my Police and Corrections Officers with the best available equipment, training, and information technology tools. I have directed my Training Unit to increase the level and types of training that Police Officers receive on an annual basis to better provide them with the ability to safely and professionally address issues, de-escalate, and resolve conflicts that they face on the streets every day.
Specific program priorities and projects that I have initiated include the following:
- The Management of the Lake County Jail is a primary responsibility of the Sheriff, as well as ensuring it remains in compliance with Department of Justice Corrections Facility Standards.
- Lake County School Safety is my priority. I have designated a Lake County Sheriff’s School Safety Team. This team has been responsible for setting up a Lake County School Safety Emergency Contact Network.
- The Public Safety Intelligence Center: The mission of the Lake County Police-Public Safety Intelligence Center is to provide real-time information to Law Enforcement and Public Safety First-Responders and Managers who are dispatched to active crime scenes, critical incidents, and emergency events that impact the safety and security of Lake County, Indiana.
- My team has secured a Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant that will be used to purchase StrataSITE, this cloud-based tool will be made available to every Public, Parochial, Private, Charter School, and College Campus in Lake County for emergency preparedness.
- Police Assisted Recovery Initiative Task Force (PARI): I recognize the importance of Police Departments addressing mental health issues and the overdose epidemic of the public we serve. The Lake County Sherriff’s Department is one of the first PARI Programs in the State if Indiana that is staffed by two full-time Mental Health Professionals. Referrals to the PARI Program come from Lake County Police Officers who interact with people in need of services as well as from the general public.
- VIRTRA: A state-of-the-art Virtual Training System that places Officers inside video scenarios that will assist them in their use of the de-escalation of force and critical incident decision making. VIRTRA is now a major component of our training program.
- Modern Technology: Providing Officers with state-of-the-art technology like Crime Mapping, Crime Alerts, Body, and In-Car camera systems.
- License Plate Reader Camera System: Assists Officers/Investigators from all participating Lake County Police Agencies in locating suspects who have been involved in traffic, property, firearms, and violent crimes.
- Search and Rescue Operations: I established a POLICE DIVE UNIT that will work in coordination with Fire Department Divers; and we have also acquired specialized equipment to assist in Land and Water search, rescue, and recovery operations including expanding and upgrading our Drone Program capabilities.
- Special Enforcement Support Programs and Operations: These programs include training and equipping Crowd Control Response Teams; instituting a Multi-Agency Auto Theft Working Group; Monthly - Overnight Joint Agency- Vehicle Theft Enforcement Operations.
- Project Lifesaver: is a program with a special focus on the unincorporated areas of Lake County. Several of our Patrol and Aviation Unit Officers have been trained to operate Project Lifesaver tracking equipment which is used to locate missing children or adults
- The Lake County Sheriff's Beach Patrol is responsible for 26 miles of the Lake Michigan Shoreline which includes multiple beach recreational and concession facilities located along the Gary, Indiana lakefront.
Listed above are a few of my achievements since being elected Lake County Sheriff. New situations arise all the time and I plan to provide solutions and answers to the people of Lake County. Less talk, more action. More service, less politics.