In new sheriff bid, Nicastle sees ways to cut costs throughout department

BRIGHTON — Mark Nicastle decided once again to run for Adams County Sheriff.
    Nicastle, who ran against Sheriff Doug Darr in the 2010 election, said he’s excited this time around, as it will make for a better, happier campaign.

Mark Nicastle

    “Just running a campaign based on my own personal experiences and my own personality and my own attributes that I think will make a difference in the organization, I’ll let that stand for itself,” he said.
    Nicastle has more than 34 years of public safety service. Since retiring from the Sheriff’s Office in 2011, Nicastle continued to work in law enforcement with the U.S. Marshall Service and as a commander in a small agency northwest of Brighton.
    While employed at the Sheriff’s Office, he served in command positions in three of four divisions. He also commanded the SWAT Team, bomb squad and K-9 units as well as the North Metro Drug Task Force.
    He was awarded the Certificate of Merit for exceptional performance and service in undercover narcotics enforcement and was awarded the Meritorious Service Award for infiltrating a Columbian cartel while undercover and seizing record setting amounts of narcotics and assets.
    Nicastle has a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement, graduated from the Northwestern Institute for Police and Staff Command and has a certificate of expertise from the American Jail Association in Jail Operations and Management.
    Nicastle believes the Sheriff’s Office could serve Adams County residents better if new management practices were put in place. He said of the Sheriff’s Department $60 million budget, 73 percent is spent on personnel costs.
    “From the managerial perspective, I think the sheriff’s office can marry up with the rest of the county in like services like human resources and technology. I think we can save money that way,” he said.
    He would also like to look at the department’s contracts, such as the inmate medical contract, which he describes as “over the top.” Nicastle said if the department could save just $500,000 from contracts, he could put nearly 10 officers on the streets or working at the jail.
     Another cost-saving measure Nicastle is considering is to bring in retired officers for part-time, non-essential positions, which would save money on benefits.
     “If I can save money in those areas we can speed up background checks on (concealed carry) permits by using retired police officers and doubling the amount of officers who do those kind of investigations,” he said.
    Nicastle said he believes the current administration has lost touch with the cities and would like to work with local cities to look at the overcrowding issues in local jails. Nicastle and he would like to work to change the culture in the Sheriff’s Office.
    “I come to work every day to serve the men and women of the organization,” he said. “I come to work to make sure I can do what I can do for them, create an environment where great morale can thrive, create an environment where creative thought processes are in effect, people can take educated risks ... so that we can make this place a better place to work.”
    Nicastle currently lives in Adams County with his wife, Robin. The couple has four adult children, three of whom have pursued careers in law enforcement.
    For more information about Nicastle, visit his website at www.marknicastle.com.