The following is Watershed Voice’s candidate questionnaire for August’s St. Joseph County sheriff primary election. We will run all completed questionnaires in the order they’re received prior to Election Day.
Jason Bingaman filled out our questionnaire. These are his answers.
Editor’s note: The formatting and content of this questionnaire are presented as they were submitted. Jason Bingaman is one of five challengers including Dennis Allen, Joe Bingaman, Gordon Evilsizor and Chad Spence.
Name: Jason Bingaman
Age: 52
Address: 51256 Nottawa Rd.
Party affiliation: Republican
Are you an incumbent? No
Family: My wife, Denise, and I have five amazing children.
Background/Bio:
I graduated from Mendon High School and Lake Superior State University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Since then and for the past 28 consecutive years, I have had the opportunity to serve my community in every level of law enforcement including seven years as Sergeant, 11 years as Captain, and I’m on my fifth year as Undersheriff. In addition, I have had the privilege of having the primary leadership role at the Sheriff’s Office for the past 17 months. I am a graduate of the Michigan State University School of Staff and Command and the FBI Executive Development Series. I have been involved as a community leader for my entire adult life, serving as a mentor for Three Rivers Area Mentoring, as President of the St. Joseph County Fraternal Order of Police, as Past-President of Mendon Kiwanis, and I coached varsity wrestling for 20+ years. I presently live in Mendon with my family.
Why did you choose to run for the St. Joseph County Sheriff?
I have been drawn to leadership my entire life. I believe the Sheriff should be a servant of the people as well as the leader of the Office. Servant Leadership is what is needed right now in our organization and community – a mindset where the leader focuses on empowering others, facilitating growth, and promoting the well-being of the team and the community they serve. By lifting up my staff through education, training, and wellness, I can openly display important aspects of our strategic plan, which allows our community members to be safe and secure in places that that live, play, and pray.
Have you previously held public office, or have you served in a public leadership role? If so, what is your experience, and what are some of your accomplishments?
I have been a public leader most of my life. I continue to work with other leaders throughout the county, in a collaborative way, to provide services and protect our citizens. In the last 17 months, I have implemented the most robust training program our office has ever had, introduced an Officer Wellness Program, and coordinated mental health services in the jail. We have built a culture that fosters recruitment and retention. There are quite a few additional accomplishments to highlight, including a body scanner for the jail to prevent weapons and contraband from being concealed, expansion of deputies assigned as School Resource Officers, additional adoption hours at Animal Control, body-worn cameras for both Road Patrol and Corrections Deputies, a dedicated Training Officer, and a formal Field Training Officer (FTO) program for new deputies to learn alongside more experienced deputies.
How long have you lived in the area you are seeking to represent?
I was born and raised in Mendon. My two brothers and I grew up detasseling, bailing hay, and working on local farms. We learned early that hard work was a requirement in our household, and that’s a trait that I have not forgotten. As a lifelong resident of St. Joseph County, I understand the needs, obstacles, and challenges this county faces making sure our county remains safe and secure. I have built and maintained relationships with all stakeholders in the community, working together to protect victims of crimes and our most vulnerable citizens.
In your opinion, what are the three most important issues in the area relative to the scope of your position, and why?
There are a multitude of issues facing law enforcement and our communities. I believe the three most pressing issues include:
- Deputy recruitment and retention
- Drug related crime
- Mental Health/Substance Abuse
What measures will you pursue to address those issues?
Recruitment and retention – Nationwide there is an issue with the recruitment and retention of law enforcement officers. I’m incredibly proud of the measures we’ve taken in the Sheriff’s Office to ensure the most current training is utilized, the Officer Wellness Program components are available, and well-maintained equipment and resources are available.
Drug related crime – The Southwest Enforcement Team (SWET) and Illicit Crimes Unit (covering vulnerable populations, human trafficking, and cyber crimes, just to name a few) are resources that have been used to help combat the effects of drug related crimes in the county. Through consistent enforcement, community outreach, and collaboration with all stakeholders, there has been a noticeable difference in awareness for these crimes.
Mental Health/Substance Abuse – Partnerships with Pivotal (community mental health services in St. Joseph County), including Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) and mobile crisis interventions, address root causes of crimes resulting from mental health and substance use disorders, such as access to care and ongoing services.
What would you say is your leadership style, and how will you utilize its strengths in your position?
My leadership style is focused around Servant Leadership and a growth mindset. I make deliberate decisions after thorough consideration of all relevant factors, and avoid making hasty judgments. I encourage all members of the team to be intentional and proactive, rather than reactive, in our goal setting. I have established high expectations for those who work with me and for me to approach all situations with respect and an open mind, knowing that sometimes growth means new perspectives and change.
How would you work to reform the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department? If you would not reform it, please explain why.
Although I think there is always room for growth, “reform” gives the impression that there aren’t good things happening now. The exceptional work product being put out by all of the divisions in the Sheriff’s Office shows there is not a need for reform, but instead perhaps acknowledging the space for improvement. This is paramount to adapting to new challenges, enhancing community trust, and providing effective public safety services. In that sense, we are working diligently to make those improvements and ensure nothing is overlooked.
How would you work to regain the public’s trust in the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department?
It is understandable that there may be concerns regarding trust, but I disagree with the notion that there has been a loss of public trust. Our team of over 75 full and part-time staff members consistently come to work every day, diligently addressing numerous challenges and situations with professionalism, trustworthiness, and competence. It is crucial not to disparage them with this perception; quite the contrary, they have fostered positive changes under my leadership. Moving forward, my team remains committed to maintaining trust through our continued actions, integrity, and transparency.
Do you consider yourself a candidate with high personal integrity? If so, why?
People with integrity are trustworthy, reliable, and demonstrate transparency in their interactions and decisions. I have and will continue to live my life in a manner that can be a source of pride for our community. I have worked diligently to instill these beliefs into my children, into the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office, and everyone around me. I try to surround myself by people who will make me a better version of myself and I hold myself accountable for the decisions I make. If I make a plan and it does not go as expected, I accept that and look for ways to improve and grow from any situation. Having integrity involves being consistent in one’s actions, words, and beliefs, even when faced with challenges or temptations to behave otherwise and I make it a priority to exhibit integrity in all that I do.
How would your administration as sheriff differ from previous administrations?
One major change and point of growth is a comprehensive strategic plan. It’s important to have forward momentum that is carefully considered and implemented, to ensure the progress of both the present and future of the agency. I know this is a significant change because I have had the opportunity to work for three different people who have been elected Sheriff, and I have used that time to see what works and what needs improvement. Other changes include more options for outreach, including social media, regular town hall meetings, and community-based training, as well as using a data-driven approach to crime. Instead of anecdotal targeting, we’re using local data to inform where we patrol.
How will you know that you’re accurately representing your community?
Building on efforts of transparency and outreach, we intend to increase social media platform engagement, continue hosting town hall meetings and training, and closely collaborate with community partners. These efforts ensure we stay informed and foster effective communication. Accessibility is fundamental to effective representation, responsive governance, and maintaining a strong connection between elected officials and the people they serve.
Is there anything else your prospective constituents should know about you, your platform, your views, or your background?
When this community needed a leader to step up in the Office of Sheriff, I was that leader. Under my direction, the Office has not just survived but it has thrived, while expanding access to training, improved officer wellness, problem-based traffic safety initiatives, and apprehension of the most dangerous perpetrators the county has seen in history. The work will continue and expand with me as Sheriff. My opponents attempt to politicalize their perceived or false issues within this agency, but I am asking the voters to judge the quality of the agency based on their own interactions and dealings with this Office and not from individuals who haven’t worked here in years. The men and women of our Road Patrol and Corrections Associations are endorsing me for Sheriff and want to see me continue to lead this office. Their endorsement speaks volumes and I’m incredibly proud to have their confidence.
