By WES KAPPELMAN
OSKALOOSA — Sheriff Paul DeGeest is planning to upgrade the fleet and install a new security system in the courthouse.
Paul DeGeest has 31 years in law enforcement, with 18 years as the chief deputy in charge of investigations.
Born and raised in Oskaloosa, DeGeest graduated from high school in 1972. He worked construction for a few years until he was hired as a deputy in 1977.
During his time as sheriff, he has worked out agreements with University Park, Beacon and Eddyville that bring in more than $30,000 per year. The revenue is spent on equipment for the Sheriff’s Office and purchases include a speed sign trailer, for $7,000, and five tasers, for $825 a piece.
Through grants, the Sheriff’s Office has new investigation equipment and two new computers.
He is planning to install a security system in the courthouse in the next six weeks. He and the maintenance man at the courthouse will do the wiring to defer costs, which will be paid by inmates’ room and board. The security system will allow the sheriff’s office to see what is going on inside the courthouse should something happen.
DeGeest has been to many schools during his time as a deputy. In June of 2003, he attended a class through a Homeland Security grant that taught how IEDs are made and used.
“It was probably the most intense school I’ve ever been to,” DeGeest said.
DeGeest plans to use more grants in the future for training and equipment.
DeGeest is running for reelection because he likes his job.
“I enjoy law enforcement,” DeGeest said. “I like being able to help solve problems for people.”
By the end of this year, the sheriff’s office fleet will be all four-wheel-drive vehicles, DeGeest said. Without four-wheel drive, deputies would not have been able to make it to all of the calls last winter, DeGeest said.
The drug task force between the sheriff’s office and the police department should be strengthened soon, as a deputy will be coming back from medical leave and new police officers returning from the academy.
He is a past member of the board for the Iowa Association of Counties and is currently on the board for the 8th Judicial Department of Corrections.
If someone has questions for DeGeest, he or she may call the sheriff’s office at 673-4322.
Herald Staff Writer Wes Kappelman can be reached by email at news2@oskyherald.com
