Effective Administration of Justice
Lewis and Clark County faces many important issues in the coming years. Sheriff Dutton stands ready to continue, on day one, to address them, with special emphasis on the following areas:
Safety
Improved SAFETY:
My team and I have worked tirelessly to stop the infiltration of illegal drug trafficking in our community.
Prescription and illegal drug abuse is on the rise. Drug dealers are increasing their deceptive ways and making drugs more potent, creating an opioid crisis. To combat this, my office has stayed current with cutting-edge training and programs that show promise in helping to keep our community and loved ones safe.
To save lives, we have distributed Narcan (an effective opioid inhibitor) to all deputies and detention staff and trained them in its usage. In a change to the law enforcement/addict paradigm, we have slightly shifted our focus to treatment by partnering with the Angel Initiative to get addicts connected with treatment. The goal of the Montana Angel Initiative is to improve the access and entry point into substance abuse treatment, and ultimately get more people into treatment. https://www.ktvh.com/news/lewis-clark-county-joins-angel-initiative-to-help-drug-users-get-treatment
Service
Improved SERVICE:
Under my leadership, a thriving SRO (School Resource Officer) program was implemented in partnership with East Helena School District #9.
This valuable component helps ensure the safety, security, and welfare of all students, faculty, staff, and visitors. I believe our team has a crucial role in service to our children. They are worth it!
Crimes against children are horrific and pervasive. We must continue to work hard and smart to identify and arrest perpetrators of all crimes directed against them.
Our office works closely with AWARE Inc. Child Advocacy Center. Through this valuable partnership, deputies are provided with specialized training for investigating child abuse cases. We work with Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) to ensure that cases of exploitation through use of the internet and/or computers are properly investigated and prosecuted. Through my work with Fight Crime:Invest In Kids, Early Childhood Coalition and Special Olympics I recognize that we in the law enforcement profession play a critical role in the safety and well-being of children.
Trust
Built TRUST:
The members of my team and I have worked in collaboration with other stakeholders to increase effectiveness of the criminal justice system.
In 2012, a Criminal Justice Coordinating Council was established. This council is comprised of those who work in all facets of the Criminal Justice System, including myself. My goal is to continue to work with all partners to shorten the time between arrest and trial.
Mental health professionals inside our facility help inmates understand the causal factors in their recidivism.
By participating in a pre-trial program we can provide timely, accurate information to judges so they are better able to make knowledgeable decisions regarding bond.
As someone who has lived in Montana my entire life, I know that trust matters. I see you at community events (and the grocery stores) all over this county. Those connections remind me every day, who I work for and answer to- the people of Lewis and Clark County.
Continued Focus
I remain staunchly committed to protecting victims of sexual and domestic violence. Continuing to raise awareness about the frequency, complexity and devastation caused by domestic and sexual violence in Lewis and Clark County remains a high priority. The Sheriff's Office has a deputy dedicated to investigating these crimes and we have adopted a more victim-centered approach that emphasizes continuance of care spanning from the time of the event, to the trial and beyond. We are proud of and grateful for our working relationship with The Friendship Center, our local shelter for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
I have also brought the “Man Up Crusade” to the Last Chance Stampede. The “Man Up Crusade” is designed to bring awareness to the issue of domestic violence.
I support continued crisis intervention training for my staff. One in every four families in Lewis and Clark County is impacted by a family member with mental illness. 
Effective training for deputies and detention officers has provided our team with specialized approaches in responding to complex incidents involving those experiencing a mental health crisis. My goals are to reduce injuries, provide for public safety and improve access to services, support and resources.The hiring of a full-time Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) for the detention center enhances our efforts to deal compassionately and knowledgeably with those in crisis.
Our agency is collaborating with NAMI, the Center for Mental Health and local professionals to gain better services for those who suffer from mental illness and together we will make a difference.
Use the form below to let Sheriff Dutton know how you feel
about the issues facing our community.