Michael Bonham has hit the ground running after being sworn in as Osage County sheriff shortly after his election in November.
Bonham was well aware of the task he faced to restore confidence in the office.
The previous elected sheriff, Michael Dixon, had to step down after numerous legal issues. Ron Dishman, the interim sheriff chosen to fill out Dixon's term, also had to step down due to legal issues.
Bonham said his priorities were to bring a higher professional standard to the department and said his grant-writing skills would be "invaluable," especially in a time when departments are squeezed with tight budgets.
Bonham, 54, has been a reserve deputy with Pulaski County for four years and also worked as a detective and deputy in another law enforcement setting for four years.
"We started looking at what we had to correct and fix them along the way," he said. "We knew it would be a big challenge. The issues we had over how the evidence room was being used is being addressed, locks were changed, and we're starting to use it again. We're headed in a positive direction, with community policing as our focus."
Although he's tried to get out to meet the public, Bonham said he has spent more time working to clean up internal problems.
"The best way to make a difference in the criminal element is for them to see you out there," he said. "Everyday people ask how things are going. I enjoy challenges, but I don't like it when it feels overwhelming. When we first took over, many of the problems had already been identified. So when I'm asked how things are going, I tell them we're taking it one bite at a time."
Despite the department's internal issues, Bonham said they have answered every call for service and made several arrests.
"We haven't missed a beat for public safety," he said. "Like every other county, we have a lot of domestic violence, and they have their basis from either narcotics or alcohol. Drugs are always a big problem no matter where you are. That's where community policing comes in.
"Just going to ball games is an old example of interaction with residents. They see and hear things we never hear, and we need that so we can do crime prevention and solve crimes."
"We hope to be in the news in a positive light in the future," Bonham added.
"We'd like the bad news to stay in the past."