A time to heal

As of today, we officially know what we've understood since early May.

There's about to be a new sheriff in town, literally.

The spring arrests of a deputy and a reserve deputy likely spelled doom for Sheriff Steve Fenwick in his bid for another term in office. The voters spoke in the primary election, choosing Indiana State Trooper Scott Stockton -- truly a department outsider -- as the Republican nominee.

Stockton's 45-percent support in a three-way race showed that county voters were looking for something different.

The lack of a Democrat or independent candidate in Tuesday's election means that Stockton has had several months to prepare before he officially takes the oath of office on Jan. 1.

Here's hoping he's up to the challenge, Putnam County.

Unfortunately, the intervening months haven't been smooth sailing for the sheriff's department itself.

The week-long trial of former deputy T.J. Smith in early September ended in two police brutality convictions. Smith is still awaiting sentencing.

Likewise, former reserve deputy Andrew Fenwick is awaiting trial on a federal perjury charge.

The past several months have also seen the demotions or resignations of several other deputies, some seemingly related to the Smith case, others independent of it.

It paints a dark picture of the department that is not entirely accurate and one that's unfair to some of the good officers who serve this county.

Now is the time to come out of the darkness. Now is the time to heal those wounds.

The challenge starts with Stockton. As the new sheriff, he inherits a department not only with a black eye from the Smith conviction, but one that's also still smarting from the 2008 felony conviction of former sheriff Mark Frisbie for federal program theft.

Stockton has repeatedly stated he has a three-part plan upon taking office that includes establishing a citizen complaint procedure, revisiting department hiring practices and ensuring that department books are balanced.

If he can accomplish all three, he will go a long way in erasing public doubt regarding previous administrations.

It isn't all on Stockton, though. It's also up to the officers to follow his lead. For many of them, that simply means continuing to do the job they've already been doing -- serving the public bravely and humbly, remembering that public safety should always be first in their minds.

From time to time it could also require some of them to step forward and speak up when they feel a colleague is out of line, as was the case earlier this year.

Finally, and maybe most importantly, it takes every one of us. Police are here to ensure public safety and enforce the laws, but they can't do it without the partnership of the public.

Keep the safety of your fellow citizens in mind as you go about your business. If you see suspicious activity, don't be afraid to speak up. And if you think you've been wronged by a police officer, reach out through the new complaint procedure. Stockton has said he's willing to listen, so give him a shot.

At the same time, give our officers a fair chance to do their jobs without assuming the worst. Mistakes have been made in the past, but don't automatically assume they will continue in the future.

It may be on Stockton and the department to restore public trust, but for that to happen completely, it's our duty to actually trust them.

The next four years will be a reflection on all 38,000 residents of Putnam County, not just on one sheriff or a couple dozen men with badges.

The solution starts with all of us and the solution starts now.