Chad Spence focused on rebuilding trust, implementing mental health program as St. Joseph County Sheriff

Two months into his tenure as St. Joseph County Sheriff, Chad Spence is working to rebuild trust and improve efficiency within the department. While Spence is no stranger to the role — having previously served in law enforcement for 26 years — his return was unexpected and came under unusual circumstances.

Spence’s election victory last November was preceded by a scandal involving former Sheriff Mark Lillywhite, who crashed a vehicle while driving 96 mph under the influence of alcohol in February 2023. Lillywhite later pled guilty to operating while intoxicated, and carrying a concealed weapon while under the influence.

Spence, a former St. Joseph County detective sergeant, had been enjoying retirement since 2022 while working part-time in law enforcement for the Village of Mendon. Now back in full-time service, he is focused on restoring the department’s public image and operational integrity.

“The last couple of years were confusing for everybody, not just the sheriff’s office but the community too,” Spence said in an interview with Watershed Voice. “The biggest part of my job is to regain that trust.”

Spence says when he took over the department was in disarray, with mismanagement causing delayed payments and overdue bills. His first priority was getting things organized and conducting a full audit of the department including the evidence room, gun inventory, and vehicle inventory, while also reviewing and updating incomplete policies and procedures.

“It’s about restructuring and retooling, but it takes time. I don’t want to rush it, but I also want it done now,” Spence said.

Now, with a better grasp of the department’s operations, Spence is turning his attention to the goals he campaigned on: improving officer training, supporting mental health initiatives, and fostering transparent communication with the community.

He has implemented a 16-week intensive training program for new hires, divided into two tracks — corrections and law enforcement. Once recruits graduate from the academy, they will be paired with designated training officers, such as the jail administrator or deputy chief of police, for hands-on experience.

Currently, a part-time hire in the corrections department is three weeks into the program, while law enforcement training will begin once new recruits are hired.

“They’ll go to an academy, whether it’s a corrections academy or a law enforcement service academy. Once they graduate, their training with us begins here at the sheriff’s office,” Spence said.

Spence noted that comprehensive training had been lacking in the past, leading to inconsistent responses from officers. His goal is to ensure recruits are fully prepared for their duties.

Mental health support for officers is another key focus. Spence believes current resources are mostly reactive, only addressing mental health concerns after an incident occurs. He wants to implement a proactive approach.

“To me, the most important time for a mental reset is between calls,” he said, comparing it to professional golfers consulting sports psychologists to refocus after a bad shot. “How can we relate that to law enforcement? If we do that consistently throughout a career, we’re going to better serve our citizens.”

While Spence has not finalized specific mental health services, he is open to ideas. He is collaborating with various public and private entities to curate a comprehensive mental health program. Currently, officers have access to a peer-to-peer employee assistance program and Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) through the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office. However, Spence wants to establish a program tailored specifically for St. Joseph County officers.

“This would hopefully help decrease divorce and suicide rates, and allow officers to enjoy a happy life in retirement,” he said.

Increasing accessibility and transparency is another key priority. Spence regularly attends public meetings across the county and maintains an open-door policy for residents. He also manages a Facebook page to share public notices and updates.

“It’s just a little reassurance for the public to know that things are getting done,” he said. “Service will be synonymous with everything we do.”

Spence said community feedback has been positive, and he plans to continue efforts to enhance transparency and communication.

Looking ahead, he aims to address prevalent law enforcement challenges in the county, including fentanyl-related drug issues, traffic enforcement, and border safety in the Great Lakes, particularly during the summer months.

Although his current term runs through 2028, Spence already anticipates seeking reelection. Reflecting on his early exposure to law enforcement — his father was a police reserve volunteer — he recalled visiting the sheriff’s office as a 10-year-old.

“This place is in my blood.”

Najifa Farhat is a staff reporter for Watershed Voice.