SIERRA VISTA — The two challengers for Cochise County sheriff say they think more needs to be done to improve the office, but the incumbent maintains many of their suggestions already have been implemented.

Norman Bradley, Bill Cloud and Sheriff Larry Dever participated in a forum hosted by AARP in Sierra Vista on Wednesday. About 50 people attended the event.

One of the questions asked how much effort should be put into identifying illegal immigrants versus dealing with other crimes.

Cloud said he thinks a significant improvement needs to be made in identifying, tracking and prosecuting illegal immigrants. He said efforts should be put forth to make the “criminal element” pay for increased law enforcement protection.

“The minute they step across that border illegally, it doesn’t matter their country of origin or residence, everything they do in the United States is illegal. We need to address it from that standpoint,” he said.

Dever said any fiscally responsible administrator looks at priorities and adjusts, adapts and allocates resources accordingly. He said illegal immigration and drug smuggling are a main concern in the county.

“Our role in the Sheriff’s Office will continue to be when we locate and identify illegal aliens in the county, we will detain them and turn them over to Border Patrol,” he said.

Bradley said the Sheriff’s Office needs to build coalitions with every agency. It also needs to build an understanding with community members who can provide information on incidents.

“We need to quit talking about it and get to doing it. We need to quit beating our chest and telling the world all the good things that we can and cannot do associated with border enforcement. Just shut up and get out there and get the job done,” he said.

Another question discussed the programs they support to help inmates benefit from society when they are released from jail.

Dever said he is pleased with the results of holding a jail ministry program, as well as inviting other religious programs to the jail. He said a methamphetamine awareness program is in place that helps inmates.

Bradley said he thinks more needs to be done.

“The holistic attitude approach to jail and jail service is extremely important,” he said. “There is lots of community involvement and lots of desire on the part of the community to get involved. My door will be open to all of those inputs.”

Cloud said the jail ministry program is “extremely” important. He stressed the importance of a follow-up program to help inmates get involved in religious groups once they are released. He also thinks the drug abuse program is important.

He pointed out there is a 30-day gap during which inmates are not eligible for services. He stressed the need to address that problem.

Another question asked the candidates if the salary and benefit package for deputies and staff is competitive, and how the situation can be improved without putting a burden on taxpayers.

Cloud pointed out the Board of Supervisors has increased the pay for deputies, but pay for administrative workers and jail personnel is still lacking. He said he would try to increase their salaries by cutting costs. He suggested the creation of a “tent city” jail facility for the lowest risk offenders.

Bradley said fiscal responsibility rests with the sheriff, and all policies and procedures in the office impact the budget. He said he would take steps to reduce costs and try to give raises so that all personnel receive pay that is closer to their counterparts. He also would look for federal money that is available for overtime pay.

Dever noted the Board of Supervisors took action to make deputy salaries competitive. The starting salary for the county’s deputies is higher than in Pima and Maricopa counties, he said.

He acknowledged that jail personnel pay needs attention, but said work is under way to rectify the situation. He said the department will continue to use grant money to help bolster resources.