Re-Elect Sheriff Armbrister 2024

Working to Keep our Promise...

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MENTAL HEALTH

While mental health care is important for the entire community, the portion that I can focus on as Sheriff of Douglas County is the mental health of our employees and First Responders.  Creating a culture where they can not only ask for help when they need it, but where we have the resources available to help them if they do.  Maintaining mentally healthy first responders and corrections officers allows them to be healthy, valuable resources for our community.

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• Sheriff Armbrister hired a contract clinician to work with Sheriff's Office personnel experiencing crisis or mental health issues. This is cost free to the employee, is confidential, and provides a safe space for recovery.

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• Continues to provide support for SB165. This legislation would permit workers compensation benefits for first responders who suffer from post-traumatic stress. "What we do want is for those who have served their community faithfully yet find themselves in a place they can no longer carry on with this work, to get the fair compensation and peace they deserve and have earned." -Sheriff Armbrister

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• The Sheriff has implemented a robust peer support team to assist personnel as well as other agencies in the State of Kansas when requested.

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• Sheriff Armbrister has worked diligently to educate community stakeholders and legislators of the dire needs of incarcerated individuals for competency restoration. A lack of State funding, awareness and/or concern continues to exasperate the issue of the incarcerated with severe mental illness.

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COMMUNITY OUTREACH

The Sheriff’s Office is a large part of our community.  As Sheriff I would invite the community to be involved and have a vested interest in the direction the Sheriff’s Office grows in the future.  We will create an environment where we can facilitate positive interactions between children and law enforcement so that if they should ever need help, they know who they can look to and trust.  I believe in showing the heart behind the badge.

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• Sheriff Armbrister hired a Community Outreach/Victim Coordinator. The Victim Coordinator provides resources and assistance to victims of criminal cases and traffic accidents as they navigate through the criminal justice system. The Community Outreach Coordinator works to build relationships with community members and partners.

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• The Sheriff's Office looks forward each year to the Douglas County Free Fair. This provides an opportunity for staff and citizens to connect.

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• Sheriff Armbrister has appointed an LGBTQ+ Liaison who works within the community and internally to provide resources, guidance and advocacy.

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• The Sheriff's Office was excited to receive a Violence Against Women Act grant through the Department of Justice. The grant connects victims of domestic violence with a Sheriff's Office advocate who stands with them through the criminal process and provides resources and assistance to stay and remain safe.

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• The Ballard Center, Boys and Girls Club, Girl Scouts, Pioneer Ridge Retirement Community, Leadership Lawrence, and Just Food are just a few of the organizations that the Sheriff's Office has connected with and takes pride being involved with.

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​FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

​The Sheriff’s Office is a significant portion of the county budget.  It is our responsibility to know where our community’s tax dollars are going and who they are helping.  It is our responsibility to make sure those dollars are spent efficiently and ethically.  We are the stewards of the taxpayer’s money, and as such the community expects diligence on our part.  Fiscal transparency means that we will educate citizens on everything from practical daily expenses to expenses pertaining to long range goals.

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• Sheriff Armbrister has returned significant amounts of unused money back to the county at the end of each budget year.

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• The Sheriff's Office has had the opportunity to purchase drones to enhance the safety of personnel when searching for suspects, locating missing persons, assisting with fire emergencies, and conducting motor vehicle accident and crime scene investigations.

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• The Sheriff purchased security upgrades the the Judicial Law Enforcement Center to include enhanced screening equipment and intrusion barriers to ensure the safety and security of all persons entering and working within the building.

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• Provided necessary upgrades to the Sheriff's Office Information Technology systems to combat cyber attacks.

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• Sheriff Armbrister worked to provide necessary and cost effective maintenance upgrades to the mechanical systems of the aging Correctional Facility. In addition, implemented a new and enhanced security system.

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