Sheriff Chris Lane
Bartholomew County Sheriff Chris Lane has released his first annual report reviewing his first year in office.
Much of the 2023 report elaborates on five key areas that Lane identified last spring to strengthen the department. They are: relentless drug enforcement, efficiency and innovation, employee retention, partnerships with other agencies and mental and physical resilience.
In a section examining drug enforcement, the report states more than 127 felony drug arrests were made by local deputies last year, which is a 40% increase from 2022.
Overviews were also provided of six recently-formed teams that each focus on the following key areas:
- Annual training and re-certification
- Equipment
- Fleet
- Recruiting and staffing
- Field training and on-boarding
- Mental health and resilience
The report explains a data-driven, color-coded scorecard developed for the sheriff’s office last year. Designed to track useful metrics, the scorecard is meant to help make informed decisions around such topics as budget management, overtime expenses, staffing, calls for service, jail population and training, the report states.
Data derived from the scorecard, as well as other sources, “allowed for the return of $500,000 to the (county) general fund,” the report said.
After Lane submitted a comprehensive wage study to the Bartholomew County Council in time for last summer’s budget talks, “we were able to delay all other budget increase requests to make appropriate wages the top and only priority for 2024,” the report states.
In 2023, the department has been successful in receiving an additional $453,560 to provide newly-hired deputies a minimum $70,000 starting salary, as well as an additional $184,627 required for additional courthouse security. Substantial raises were also provided to corrections officers.
Throughout the budget discussions, there was little opposition voiced among elected officials to requested salary increases. Both the county council and county commissioners learned that nine merit deputies have left in the last five years, resulting in a 42% turnover due to career or agency changes. In addition, the attrition rate was at 40% for corrections officers.
They also learned the applicant pool has declined more than 50% in the last five years.
In metrics on the sheriff’s office fleet of vehicles, the department noted that in 2023:
- Sheriff’s office vehicles were driven a combined 801,256 miles.
- The Sheriff’s Office spent $209,052.45 on fuel.
- The Sheriff’s Office fleet used 60,897.88 gallons of fuel.
In an effort to improve the daily working lives of sheriff’s office staff, the staff now has access to a peer support program, providing confidential support for those dealing with personal or job-related circumstances. Select deputies have been trained to provide support and mitigate potential risks.
The Heritage Fund — The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County, provided a grant allowing relaxation and decompression through services provided by Breathe Halotherapy and Wellness Center. Employees may schedule two free sessions per month in an effort to ease stress and promote overall wellness.
The sheriff’s office also installed new equipment in the employee gym. This equipment was purchased with money received from collaborative efforts with the DEA in the form of Drug Forfeiture Funds. This equipment fosters the physical and mental well-being of employees with the option to exercise at a time that is conducive to their schedule.
In projects for 2024, Lane said the sheriff’s office is focusing on:
• Continuously improving both hiring processes (Merit and Corrections) – to allow ease and efficiency for both staff and applicants
• Completing the Internship Program for 2024 that will allow the sheriff’s office to take one to two interns throughout the year
• Striving to improve retention and create new opportunities to allow for current staff.
