About the Sheriff
Sheriff
James Mendrick brings experience, knowledge and expertise to the DuPage County
Sheriff’s Office from his 24 years of serving the citizens of DuPage County. He
has risen through the ranks to head the Sheriff’s Office in the second largest
county in Illinois, which has 400 sworn and 100 civilian employees.
Jim
was hired in 1996 as a Patrol Deputy and through his career was promoted to Corporal,
Sergeant, Lieutenant, Major, Administrative Chief and finally elected Sheriff. Jim studied
Criminal Justice at Lewis University and completed the School of Police Staff
& Command at Northwestern University.
During his time at the
Sheriff’s Office, he was instrumental in many facets of the agency, but as Sheriff
he has fostered the culture of “Hope and Purpose” and focused on the
improvement and wellbeing of citizenry.
Since taking office in
December 2018, Sheriff Mendrick has partnered with the DuPage County Health
Department to institute Medicated Assisted Treatment (MAT) for inmates fighting
Opioid addiction and promoted the use of Deterra system to keep dangerous
medication out of our medicine cabinets and waterways.
Under the leadership of
Sheriff Mendrick, 36 neighboring police agencies united in September 2019 to
form an unprecedented sharing of resources and manpower under the shield Multi
Emergency Response Investigations Team (MERIT).
To supplement the
increase manpower, Sheriff Mendrick who previously oversaw the K-9 unit more
than doubled the number of highly trained dogs available to assist our MERIT
teammates throughout the county.
In less than a year,
about 10% of the correctional facility population have graduated from one of
the Sheriff’s workforce inmate job training programs. The Sheriff has also
utilized the latest technology, including the installation of a new body
scanner to further secure the facility and limit contraband into correctional
facility.
Being a good steward of
the environment, is also important to the Sheriff as illustrated through his
multiple partnerships with community groups SCARCE and the DuPage Conservation
Foundation.
Jim’s goals continue to
focus on improving our community through active participation in cross agency
training and partnerships. Jim
believes that the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office is in need of meaningful
reform with new ideas, innovative programs, and proven leadership. Along with
years of experience that will help create a safe and constructive work
environment, Jim is bringing a fresh perspective to the DuPage County Sheriff’s
Office to provide a safer and stronger DuPage County for our residents.