Phil Deal, the current Assistant Chief with the Stonington Police Department, is leaning on his lifelong ties to Christian County in his candidacy for Sheriff.  He is running as a Republican, with the primary election scheduled for Tuesday, March 17.  Deal previously served in the Sheriff’s department for a large percentage of his law enforcement career.  He finds the current morale at the Sheriff’s department to be low and says he would step in to help the deputies he would oversee if elected.

Deal calls for greater training for deputies regarding mental health and how to respond to incidents in which mental health and a risk of harm is involved.

A major focus of his candidacy has been on increasing cooperation with the Sheriff’s Office and other agencies.  He points to examples from his time currently with the Stonington Police Department.

Deal concluded by pointing to endorsements he has received from law enforcement officials and related organizations.

More information on elections in Illinois is available at the Illinois State Board of Elections’ website, elections.il.gov.

Phil Deal appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.