Sheriff-elect Johnson visits Kiwanis prior to Friday's swearing-in

HARRISBURG - Saline County sheriff-elect James "Whipper" Johnson was the guest speaker at the Nov. 28 weekly Kiwanis meeting at Ponderosa in Harrisburg.

Johnson began with a brief history of his law enforcement experience. Johnson told the group that he has been in law enforcement for 26 years, beginning as Saline County dispatcher at age 20.

From the start of his career, his goal has been to be sheriff. Having accomplished this milestone, the newly elected sheriff indicated that he has lots of plans for the sheriff's department.

Because the department has lost six deputies and has had huge budget cuts a reorganization is in store, according to Johnson. He discussed a few of the changes he plans to initiate.

He also discussed the detention center's housing of federal and out-of-county inmates which brings in $55.00 per day for each prisoner. Although the revenue is a welcome addition, there are certain requirements for federal inmates that make it necessary to rethink how these requirements will be met, he said. Johnson was sworn in as sheriff Friday, Nov. 30.