UNION, Mo. (KMOX) - Franklin County Sheriff Gary Toelke says he won’t seek re-election in 2016.
The 64-year-old Toelke says crime was simpler when he started a career in police work, back in 1972, “There was no methamphetamine, no heroine, no cocaine. If there was, it was really rare. Marijuana was the main thing.”
Toelke says social instability is higher, now too, “The family divorce rates are higher. Family values seem to be eroding. That’s also been a change.”
What’s his wish list for the department as he heads toward retirement?
“The jail is becoming overcrowded. It needs an addition. We’re holding our own, but its something we’ve talked to the commission about. It’s something they need to consider,” Toelke says. He’d like for 60 to100 beds to be added to the 130 bed jail.
Toelke says his department still needs to integrate body camera technology, “There’s a lot more involved in those cameras than just wearing them and taking a video. You’ve got storage. People have to download them. Privacy issues. Those all have to be worked out.”
Before he retires, Toelke says he’ll work to solve some murders that have long haunted him, but won’t say which ones.
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