FARMINGTON – Sheriff Dennis Pike recognizes the need to address overcrowding in the jail. The incumbent said he will implement “critically needed bed and housing expansion and mandatory increased staffing.”

He said he intends to continue expansion of work space for administration, dispatch and patrol, and hopes to upgrade in-vehicle laptop computers to wireless operation with printing capabilities. Pike also wants to add “utility-type four-wheel-drive vehicles” to the department’s fleet.

He said he plans to have a contingency operational plan in place if the tax-cap referendum passes, he said.

Seeing a need to increase funding for all employees and for officer training, Pike said he also wants to expand the police dog capabilities to include chemical and drug detection.

He said he will continue to recognize outstanding employees and hopes to promote an optional Maine State Retirement System membership for all county employees.

“Law enforcement has one basic purpose, to protect and serve your people, and if re-elected as your sheriff, I will continue to be readily available to all, to answer your questions and professionally address your concerns,” Pike wrote in a statement.

“I will also continue to work with my staff, our county commissioners, our budget committee and you, the public, to continue to make the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department the best sheriff’s department in the state,” he said.