SC Prosecutor Brings Job Position Request Back to Commissioners for Consideration

Posted on September 5, 2019
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI

A meeting between the Starke County Prosecutor, the Sheriff and other County officials was arranged during this week’s Starke County Commissioners’ meeting.

Prosecutor Leslie Baker came before the commissioners Tuesday evening and asked them to reconsider approving the creation of an investigator’s position for the Prosecutor’s office.

Commissioner Kathy Norem reiterated her stance, which was expressed at the last Commissioners meeting, that there are investigators available at the Sheriff’s Department and an additional employee seems unnecessary.

Prosecutor Baker indicated that her goal with creating this position is to provide the County with an extra resource.

Baker explained “I have no problem working with the detectives of the Sherriff’s Department or the detective we have with the City of Knox Police Department. In fact, when I asked him to do some follow up for me the other day he said he wishes there were three of them.”

She continued, “This is not a position to reflect anything on any current investigator that we have working for any agency in the County. This is an additional means of support to provide follow up on cases that sometimes slip through the cracks.”

Baker mentioned that creating the position would not require an additional funding request or appropriation since a two percent raise to her budget has been approved by the County Council. She said there is money available to fund the position and she was able to incorporate it into her budget for next year.

Commissioner Norem asked if the money the Prosecutor was referring to would be coming from pre-trial diversion funds and Baker confirmed that’s what she was talking about. Norem noted that money still has to be collected so the availability of those funds is not certain.

Following further discussion, Commissioner Bryan Cavinder suggested having a meeting with himself, Prosecutor Baker and Sheriff Bill Dulin in order to discuss matters further.

Prosecutor Baker said she was willing to attend such a meeting and Sheriff Dulin also agreed. Dulin recommended having County Attorney Marty Lucas and at least one County Council member present as well.

The commissioners made a decision to table the Prosecutor’s request for the time being and said it could be revisited during a meeting further down the line.

Starke County Commissioners Table Prosecutor’s Staff Requests

Posted on August 30, 2019
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI

Starke County Prosecutor Leslie Baker presented a request to the commissioners last week for a new position and new job titles for two existing positions in her office.

Baker presented job descriptions for a paralegal, a legal secretary, and an investigator, which is a new position.

Baker noted that there are some duties done by two people in her office that would be better suited with these job descriptions in her office.

The positions were discussed during budget discussions with the Starke County Council. Council President Dave Pearman said as long as Baker could find funding within her already approved budget for 2020, the council would have no problem moving forward with those job descriptions, dependent on commissioner approval.

Commissioner Kathy Norem extensively questioned Baker about the pre-trial diversion process, the signing of probable cause affidavits and dropping charges in higher felony cases, in addition to some turnover in her office.  In the end, Norem didn’t support Baker’s request for a new investigator and believes the county can’t keep hiring new employees.

“We’ve had a number of requests for that and I don’t think that we can really do that,” said Norem.  “The Sheriff’s Department and the other police departments have investigators.  I do think you need to mend some of your fences with the Sheriff’s Department in particular and try to work with them on the investigator there because I don’t think that we can afford to add an investigator at this time.”

Baker countered following Norem’s opinion on the matter.

“When we form our opinions I think it’s important to get both sides of the story,” stated Baker.  “By the questions you’ve asked me here that I think it’s very clear about conversations that have happened and nobody has asked my side of things.  So, I’ll just leave it at that.”

The commissioners agreed to table the requests.