Ken's Plan to Implement Equitable Policing in Our Community

Ken has been credited with creating the philosophy of "Thinking Outside the Badge." In other words, to be an effective law enforcement leader in today's day and age, you have to have the ability to think differently than traditional law enforcement leaders have in the past, while still maintaining the tenets and foundation of ethical police responsibilities. "Thinking Outside the Badge" forces the law enforcement leader to think differently and to borrow from numerous disciplines represented in our communities to include social equity, financial responsibility, and measures of effectiveness, as well as gauging and responding to the ever-changing evolution of the sociological development of our society. 

Social Equity - Social and racial demographics in the US, and in Washtenaw County are shifting and Ken believes that law enforcement should be representative of the community it serves and thus should mirror these demographic shifts. This is a goal that Ken has accomplished in his previous leadership roles and will do the same in Washtenaw County.

Intentional and Internal Staffing Decisions - Ken will institute new, equitable hiring and promoting processes as well as mandating enhanced implicit bias training to embed a new culture throughout the department.

Bargaining Units - Ken will commit to working closely with unions and bargaining units in order to increase morale and develop clear lines of communication within the Sheriff's Department. Currently, morale is at an all-time low and is in drastic disrepair and major morale and motivational leadership development is needed. Ken will restructure part of the Sheriff's Office to be in close proximity with union representatives in order to enhance day-to-day communication. 

Other areas of Thinking Outside the Badge are embedded throughout Ken's platform.