Duchak, 51, is the current sheriff’s office chief deputy.
Mahan, 62, held that post until 2006 when Cox, who said he couldn’t have an employee openly seeking his job, terminated him. Mahan said Cox had told him he was not seeking re-election, while Cox said there was a misunderstanding about his intentions.
Mahan then ran unsuccessfully against Cox in 2008.
He said he is running in 2016 as a career goal and as an independent candidate “to give all voters the opportunity to elect” the sheriff. He has been commander of the basic police officer academy, now in its 33rd session, at Edison State Community College in Piqua since its inception.
Duchak said he wants to continue the “excellence in law enforcement services” Cox brought to the office. He won the Republican nomination over three other contenders in March.
Both candidates live in Troy and have served the agency nearly 30 years.
Duchak said the top issue is “the heroin scourge” followed by providing adequate jail space and keeping up with technology and the associated costs.
Mahan said the top issues are the jail, employee morale and retention, and getting officers out in the county and engaged with the community.
Duchak said stringent enforcement efforts are being combined with a treatment project offering medication to those showing interest in overcoming addiction. At the same time, the department is part of the countywide heroin coalition working on a community approach to the abuse and related health problems, he said.
Being able to provide adequate jail space to incarcerate those who should be off the streets is another issue, Duchak said. The sheriff’s office has worked with the commissioners to approve opening a third, 60-person quad at the Incarceration Facility once enough correction officers are hired.
“We are hopeful that by opening the third pod we will have adequate jail space for the next several years, barring the state from burdening counties with housing of anymore felony offenders,” Duchak said.
Keeping up with technology in law enforcement also is a priority, Duchak said. He said the department will continue to pursue grants when available and will seek funding for body cameras.
The camera options are under review, he said, adding, “Being patient, we should acquire a better product and leverage some money to pay (for the cameras).”
Mahan said, “a serious assessment of the current (jail) facility would need to be done with comprehensive figures” on costs to add on to the Incarceration Facility versus refurbishing the older downtown jail. “Bottom line: staffing levels and retention of employees along with the actual physical plant need to be looked at and corrected,” he said.
As far as personnel, Mahan said he would work to change the morale and philosophy of the department. He said that would begin “with reminding the fine men and women who work there that they have taken an oath to serve and protect the citizens” of the county.
Mahan said the office is underutilizing the talents of employees. He plans to streamline operations and determine the best use of personnel.
To improve the involvement of personnel with the community, Mahan said he plans to hire a community resource officer. “Remember, a law enforcement agency is only as effective as the community allows it to be, meaning no one of us is as smart as all of us collectively put together. We need the public’s support and involvement,” Mahan said.
He said the department has been “rudderless” in recent years and needs a sheriff who will be visible in the community.
Duchak said Cox built a professional department whose officers already are engaged in the community. “Miami County is a very safe community. That doesn’t happen for no reason, he said.
For more information Duchak's campaign, visit www.electduchakforsheriff.com or email duchakforsheriff@gmail.com.
For more information on Mahan's campaign visit www.ElectMahanSheriff.com or email joe.mahan@ElectMahanSheriff.com.
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