Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (WI) Pubdate: Sat, 25 Jul 1998 Contact: http://www.jsonline.com/ Author: Colleen Krantz of the Journal Sentinel staff CANDIDATES FOR SHERIFF DISAGREE ON DARE Town of Genesee -- In their first debate in the race for Waukesha County sheriff, challenger Richard Bach said Friday that Sheriff William Kruziki doesn't have enough officers on patrol and should put DARE officers on the road more often. Kruziki disagreed, saying the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program for students is vital to curbing drug abuse and preventing later problems. While agreeing that DARE is a well-intentioned program, Bach, a sheriff's detective, argued that the DARE officers could patrol more often when not actually instructing. "I'm in favor of integrating DARE officers back into patrol based on seniority when they're not actively involved in the program," said Bach, who joined the department in 1975. Kruziki acknowledged that having officers in DARE has decreased the number of patrol officers but said the program should remain a priority. He has said in the past that the department can seek federal grants to help pay for additional patrol officers. Kruziki told the crowd of about 30 at the Wern Valley Sportsmen's Club that he has "yet to hear a convincing argument or new program that can replace DARE." The debate was sponsored by the Waukesha County Deputies Union Local 174, and most in the crowd were Sheriff's Department employees. The candidates, who will face each other in a Sept. 8 Republican primary election, were given questions ahead of time for the debate and, generally, read their answers from prepared statements. Bach, suggesting that Kruziki has focused too much on specialized programs, said he wants to see a return to a focus on patrolling. "If we don't get back to the basics of law enforcement . . ., we are going to lose customers," he said, referring to the municipalities that contract with the department for service. Kruziki, who joined the department about 20 years ago, said during the debate that he sees advanced training for officers as a "crucial component of our future." Responding to the suggestion in a question that some officers are given preferential treatment when it comes to training, he said that only a few officers usually express interest in advanced training. Bach said he would like to see additional training offered to all the department's officers. During the debate, Kruziki talked about the importance of increasing community policing at substations to target drug and alcohol abuse and his plans to get deputies more involved in the communities they patrol. Bach briefly discussed his plans to use all-terrain vehicles or motorbikes to patrol recreational trails throughout the county and to increase snowmobile and boat patrols. Because a Democrat has not come forward in the race for sheriff, the winner of the Republican primary likely would be elected the next sheriff in the Nov. 3 general election. - --- Checked-by: "Rich O'Grady"