A 24-year McLean County sheriff’s deputy said Monday he will run for sheriff. Lt. Matt Lane is the department's support services commander.
Incumbent Sheriff Jon Sandage said earlier this year he would not run for a third term.
Lane said his experience and vision for the future of the department is what drives him to try for the position.
"We have an opportunity to show the public that we are an extension of their communities, their county, and most importantly, their values,” said Lane. “We have an opportunity to do our part as an agency that is committed to ethically apply the spirit of law and help ensure that all people are treated with dignity and respect.”
Lane said in a news release ahead of a Wednesday evening formal announcement that he recognizes the challenges facing law enforcement across the country, and how those challenges can be addressed on a local level.
“We will continue to build strong bonds and intentional partnerships with community stakeholders and promote accountability and transparency. This will help secure and maintain the public’s trust and fulfill our duties honorably and without bias,” said Lane.
In recent years, McLean County has added diversionary programs such as Mental Health Court to complement longer running programs such as Drug Court. The county also has cooperated with the City of Bloomington and Town of Normal to use sales tax money toward crisis intervention programs and other mental health offerings.
Lane said he supports those initiatives.
“Mental health is the root of many of the problems that we are experiencing first-hand in law enforcement today, so if we provide services to our citizens before, during, and after involvement with the justice system, we can help better their lives which will simultaneously lessen the strain on our resources and help prevent recidivism,” he said.
Lane also said he wants to focus on officer safety and department transparency and accountability.
“At the end of the day, it’s all about trust. If we don’t have the trust of the communities we serve, we have nothing,” Lane said.
During his career Lane said he has had various roles, including domestic violence investigator, patrol sergeant, and court security sergeant. He said in his current position of support services commander, he oversees professional standards for the department, and maintains and coordinates the patrol fleet, uniforms, equipment, court security, information technology, and radios.
Lane, a lifelong resident of McLean County, is a Heyworth native and lives there with his family.
