One man who hopes to be the next Monroe County Sheriff made a vow during a news conference on Wednesday.
Democrat Todd Baxter pointed to his experience as chief at the Greece Police Department to show the importance of separation between politicians and law enforcement.
Baxter became chief following a scandal that ended with a number of officers and the former chief being arrested there.
Today he presented a plan to ensure there would be a firewall between politicians and police.
That plan mandates the sheriff not endorse or appear in ads for other candidates. It also wouldn't allow the sheriff to accept monetary donations from political parties or appointed staff.
"As sheriff, I vow to leave politics to the politicians. I will create a culture that encourages sharing at all levels of the agency allowing us to benefit from all levels of the knowledge and expertise of the deputies and staff, no matter what party affiliation. I want their expertise, not their political affiliation or persuasion," said Baxter.
In a released statement, Incumbent Republican Sheriff Patrick O'Flynn's campaign said:
“Since Mr. Baxter’s ‘pledge’ was authored and distributed by the local Democrat Party boss who was recently under investigation for the Party’s role in a money-laundering scheme and due to the fact that he has surrounded himself with Democrat insiders and politicians since the start of his campaign, it is clear that his only plan for the Sheriff's Office is ‘do as I say, not as I do.’